3. Jordan Bell
Jordan Bell is an interesting name. It wasn’t long ago that people were upset that the Golden State Warriors were able to land him by purchasing his rights from the Chicago Bulls. He was fresh off helping lead an Oregon Ducks team to the Final Four by playing outstanding basketball, albeit not boxing out late in that game.
He never fully flourished with the Warriors, as their brand of basketball didn’t fit his talents. They played a lot of small ball and had him at center. He is a small option there at 6’8″. Even the Timberwolves have done the same thing having him at the five.
That can work in college, because his talent level overrides most players. But in the NBA he is better suited at the four and could help the Lakers depth at the position. With only Anthony Davis at the position and Kyle Kuzma who bounces around sometimes, it could be a good swap.
Bell isn’t used much in Minnesota, only playing 8.8 minutes per night. He doesn’t have a big role, similar to Daniels in Los Angeles. A swap and new teams could be beneficial for both teams.
Minnesota only shoots 32.5% from deep as a team, which ranks out as second-worst in the NBA. Daniels would help improve that mark, as Minnesota tries to decide if they can make a run at the eighth seed. They’re currently five games back of the San Antonio Spurs.
Bell would help provide some depth up front, as Davis and Dwight Howard have both been injury-prone in the past. Bell has started games and has played on a championship team.
His defensive and offensive ratings are both worse the last two years then his rookie year. But I believe a move to the power forward position would help both categories. Any injury, he could step in and absorb minutes, only costing Troy a Daniels in the process.