Lake Show Life
Fansided

Upcoming free agents the Los Angeles Lakers cannot afford to let walk

By Jonathan Kiernan

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 13: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a 3 point shot late in the 4th quarter against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 13, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 13: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a 3 point shot late in the 4th quarter against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 13, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Los Angeles Lakers Ben McLemore
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Ben McLemore

The Los Angeles needed 3-point help and former Sacramento King and Houston Rocket came knocking.

Ben McLemore entered the league with huge promise. He was chosen 7th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. Coming out of Kansas, McLemore was compared to former Boston Celtic and Seattle Supersonic sharpshooter Ray Allen.

With a silky-smooth jump shot and quick release, it’s hard not to draw comparisons.

Unfortunately for McLemore and the teams who have taken a chance on him, that is where the comparisons end.

That is no disrespect to McLemore. When you get compared to an all-time great 3-point shooter, you better live up to the hype or you will get drowned by it.

While McLemore hasn’t drowned, he hasn’t exactly been swimming either.

So far in his Lakers career, Ben McLemore has performed admirably. When called upon, he has made shots and has looked the part of a really solid bench piece.

The good thing for McLemore, the Lakers don’t need him to be Ray Allen. It would be wonderful if he turned into Ray Allen but it isn’t essential for him to become that.

All the Los Angeles Lakers need McLemore to do is make shots, be impactful off the bench and give effort on both ends of the floor none stop.

It is way too early to make a decision on McLemore.

It will all depend on how he is used for the rest of the season and potentially in the playoffs. If they purple and gold can’t rely on you during a playoff push then they will find someone who will make a difference on the biggest stage.

Right now, McLemore is at his audition. The stage is his, whether he fails or succeeds on the Los Angeles Lakers is fully up to him.

Home/Lakers Free Agency