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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players to target from the West’s worst teams

By Luca De Angelis

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 16: Jordan McLaughlin #6 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 16, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 112-104. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 16: Jordan McLaughlin #6 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 16, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 112-104. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Sterling Brown

The Los Angeles Lakers get a young shooter in Sterling Brown

Contract: 1 year / $1,678,854 contract with the Houston Rockets, including $1,678,854 guaranteed

The Houston Rockets weren’t supposed to be terrible this year. However, trading away James Harden coupled with injuries to many of their best players, including breakout star Christian Wood, significantly changed their season outlook.

Losers of 15 straight games since Wood’s injury, the Rockets will be looking to sell fringe players for future assets ahead of the trade deadline.

Sterling Brown is 26 years of age and has never averaged more than 7.6 PPG in his four seasons in the NBA. It’s a safe bet to say that he isn’t likely to be part of the team’s long-term plans.

However, Brown can provide some sneaky value as part of a win-now roster. This season, he’s averaging 39.7% on 4.1 three-point-attempts per game. More impressively, Brown is consistently above-average at making every type of long-ball. This season, he’s shot 39.1% on his pull-up threes, 40% on his catch-and-shoot threes, 41.3% on his above-the-break threes, and 39% on his corner threes.

Furthermore, while Brown won’t get mistaken for Alex Caruso any time soon, he’s graded as an above-average defender this season, ranking in the 73rd percentile according to BBall Index’s Defensive LEBRON metric. Coupled with his shooting, that’s enough for Brown to receive regular rotation minutes and be a valuable contributor.

Most importantly, Sterling Brown would cost the Lakers very little to acquire. It’s worth picking up the phone and calling the Rockets because his presence would add a new dimension to the team’s bench.

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