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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 most disappointing players in 2021 thus far

By Jason Reed

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers consoles Markieff Morris #88 during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers consoles Markieff Morris #88 during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Markieff Morris

Markieff Morris was one of the best additions that the Los Angeles Lakers made last season. The team waived the injured DeMarcus Cousins to sign Morris as a buyout player and he excelled in the playoffs for the purple and gold.

Morris showed off his versatility for the Lakers and added a new dynamic to the team that it did not previously have. Frank Vogel tasked Morris to start at small-ball center in the second round against the Houston Rockets and Morris was very effective in doing so.

He was not one of the biggest players in terms of statistical output but he always seemed to hit the big shot when it mattered most. In fact, Morris’ 42% three-point shooting on 69 attempts is the third-highest in Lakers playoff history among players to take as many threes.

He was that good.

He has not been that good this season. Morris has averaged a shade over 15 minutes per game and has not been as efficient as he was last season. He is not going to do much in terms of overall output in only 15 minutes, but he can be more efficient.

Morris is shooting a mere 31.6% from beyond the arc in 2.6 attempts per game. He is averaging 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game as well.

Like Schroder, the advanced numbers do not favor Morris. He is dead last among rotation players in PER (8.6), BPM (-3.1) and Value Over Replacement Player (-0.1). His .094 win shares per 48 minutes is only better than Kyle Kuzma.

While Morris was important last season, if the Lakers do get another big on the buyout market this season then I would expect them to essentially take Morris’ minutes.

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