Los Angeles Lakers: Players with the most to prove if the season continues
By Jason Reed
3. Markieff Morris
I have created this mini-narrative in my head that Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris are essentially going to be competing for a roster spot for the 2020-2021 season if the season continues and we get to see the NBA Playoffs.
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While the Lakers absolutely could fit both on the roster, as they currently are, the team would be much better spreading the talent around and using an additional roster spot on an extra forward just does not make sense in the long term.
If Morris is the winner of this ‘battle’ then I could see the Lakers moving on from Kuzma and signing Morris with the mid-level exception. If Kuzma wins the ‘battle’ then he stays on the roster and the Lakers use the MLE on a guard or even a center.
On paper, Morris is a much better fit on the Los Angeles Lakers than Kuzma. While he is not a knockdown three-point shooter he definitely is better than Kuzma and having him be the worst three-point shooter on the court during crunch time is not a bad outlook whatsoever.
More importantly, though, is the defense that Morris brings to the table. Morris is a legitimate wing defender that could help out Danny Green. This is a helpful asset to have in playing teams with multiple great wings, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
Anthony Davis is a great defender, but you can’t be throwing him out on the wing to defend Paul George. And while LeBron is a great help defender and plays good defense when it matters, he needs help and is better off being rotated.
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Without the season resuming, the Los Angeles Lakers would probably be more inclined to go the route of the player they are more familiar with in Kuzma.