Los Angeles Lakers: 5 veteran minimum candidates to help the bench

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

4. Reggie Jackson

The Los Angeles Lakers get a ball-handler with this addition. One that could provide upside if he can get back to finding his full confidence. If Rondo does depart, the Lakers could help fill that role with Reggie Jackson.

It’s not a signing that is going to send shockwaves through the NBA. It’s also not one that everyone will be happy with. But Jackson has a lot of talent and if he can put his ego aside he could help this club tremendously running the second unit.

Jackson has already made a max-level contract. So he has money. Could he possibly get more money on the open market? He probably could.

But last season he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers after being bought out by the Detroit Pistons. He looked to have enjoyed his time in Los Angeles, so why not switch just switch locker rooms at Staples Center?

He played rather well for the Clippers to end the season on 45/41/90 shooting splits while averaging a tick over nine points per game. But was eventually phased out in the playoffs and was left watching the Clippers-Nuggets series majority of time on the bench.

He was very good off the bench in OKC but didn’t like his role because he was a starting-caliber player. But now that his career has gotten older he could divert back to that role full time.

He could re-establish his value playing with LeBron and AD. Have a good season scoring and facilitating and head off to get one more good sized contract before his career hits the twilight days.