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Los Angeles Lakers: 2 young free agents to take a chance on and develop

By Jason Reed

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 25: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #2 and Harry Giles III #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers laugh during warm ups before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on April 25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 25: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #2 and Harry Giles III #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers laugh during warm ups before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on April 25, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. T.J. Leaf

T.J. Leaf was drafted with the 18th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers and was one of two first-round picks for the UCLA Bruins that year. The other Bruin was former Los Angeles Lakers point guard, Lonzo Ball.

As someone who is admittedly a big Ball fan and watched a lot of UCLA basketball while he was there, I really liked Leaf coming out of college. Leaf seemed to have all the makings of being the prototypical stretch four in this league and it just has not panned out.

Leaf’s three seasons in Indiana were completely uneventful as he never even carved out a spot in the rotation. He never averaged more than nine minutes per game and while he was out there he was not really doing much.

He appeared in seven games with the Toronto Raptors last season and played a grand total of just 35 minutes. Throughout his career, he has averaged 3.3 points per game with a 34.1% three-point shot.

The potential is still there, though, and at 24 years old he still has plenty of time in the league. Think of Leaf as someone who is coming into the league at 24 years old and the outlook of him is completely different. Plus, even he would be cheaper than a first-round pick salary-wise.

Leaf shot 46.6% from beyond the arc in college in 1.6 attempts per game. His defense is not the best, but if the team gets their hands on him and works on hit shooting stroke he could be a similar version of Kyle Kuzma who is a much better shooter.

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