Los Angeles Lakers: Three candidates for the third best player
By Ethan Temkin
2. Danny Green
Aside from the Anthony Davis trade, the signing of Danny Green was arguably the most important acquisition the Lakers made this offseason.
Green was one of the most sought after 3&D players on the market, and he has already made huge contributions for the Lakers, including a game-tying 3-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks that sent the game to overtime, which the team went on to win.
Green has pretty much been as advertised since joining the team. He’s averaging 10.6 points per game, which is right around his career average, and he’s shooting 47% from three, with an eFG% of 63.4 (96th percentile), both of which are career highs.
In addition, Green has been making the Lakers offense markedly better, as the team averages +6.1 points per 100 possessions, with a +4% increase in eFG% with him on the floor per CleaningTheGlass.
Obviously those numbers should come down a bit as the season goes along, but it’s encouraging nonetheless, and Green has the resume to prove that he can keep up this production.
Defensively is where Green has really made a huge impact as his ability as a perimeter defender has taken a huge amount of pressure off LeBron James. This allows James to play the role akin to the free safety in football, where he’s able to roam the floor, play passing lanes and get the team in transition.
Danny Green should prove to be one of the more reliable players for the Lakers this season given the fact that even if he goes into a shooting slump, the defense will always be there to make Green a net positive.