Los Angeles Lakers: 3 free-agent point guards to round out the roster

By Jason Reed | Dec 3, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Gary Payton II #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Shabazz Napier

LeBron James was a noted fan of Shabazz Napier when he was a member of the Miami Heat, so much so that the Heat drafted Napier in the first round only for LeBron to leave that offseason for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Napier is not everything that LeBron thought he would be but he is still a solid, young depth option that could be had for the minimum. Napier actually had a breakout season (for his standards) last year, averaging 10.3 points and 4.7 assists per game.

The importance of these potential signings is solely for depth purposes, so Napier (and the other players on this list) are not going to be tremendous options. However, this upcoming NBA season is not going to be played in a bubble and with rosters so small, teams have to be prepared for anything.

The Lakers would be much better off signing someone like Napier who can play 5-7 minutes per game regularly but can be the point guard off the bench if Schroder gets hurt or if the team is resting LeBron James, which they should be doing with such a short offseason.

Napier can hold his own defensively and has shown the ability to be a facilitator when needed at the NBA level. He might not be a three-point specialist like Quinn, but he would give the Lakers the depth that is needed in what will be a crazy 2020-21 season.

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