Los Angeles Lakers: 3 early targets for the mid-level exception

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Boston Celtics at the deadline last season and he did not make much of a difference in Boston. While he played well with the Celtics, there was just no chance that the team was going to get past a healthier Brooklyn Nets team, especially without Jaylen Brown.

Fournier took a smaller role in Boston than the one he had in Orlando which is understandable. He went from a team that was playing for nothing to a team that was a playoff team. His role was going to shrink.

Fournier’s biggest weapon is his three-point shot and he was on fire from beyond the arc for Boston in his short time there. In 16 regular-season games, he shot 46.3% from beyond the arc. His overall season percentage was 41.3%, his career percentage is 37.9%.

Fournier is a one-trick pony that is going to be valuable because of his three-point shooting but not too valuable because he is not a dynamic defensive player or anything. He was greatly overpaid on his last contract and about half of that, which is what the MLE would be, is a fair price for Fournier.

The Los Angeles Lakers could really use consistent three-point shooting as there was not a single shooter outside of LeBron James that the team could trust in the playoffs. Fournier would provide just that.