Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to reclaiming the throne as champions in 2022
By Jason Reed
2. The Los Angeles Lakers need specific types of role players
There are several players who are free agents this upcoming offseason and the goal for Rob Pelinka is finding who to bring back and who to let walk. Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker have to be high on the priority list, although the threat of him getting a big contract offer looms.
Regardless of who the Lakers bring back and let walk there are three specific types of role players that this team needs. The defense is just fine, the team has the foundation and the coaching to succeed there. They do not need to target a defensive-first role player.
Instead, they need to target:
1. A rim-protecting, rebounding big
The Lakers essentially need the same dynamic that Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee brought to the team. The chances of Andre Drummond returning are slim and the Lakers are going to have to gauge the market.
Luckily, there are several cheap center options available on the free-agent market that the Lakers can pursue.
2. A second playmaker
This is no secret. The thing that made Rajon Rondo the third-most important player on the Lakers was his playmaking ability. Even when he wasn’t doing anything that tallied in the box score he was having a positive impact on the offense and taking the burden off of LeBron James.
The Lakers do not need an elite playmaker. They need someone who can help create with LeBron as well as for LeBron.
3. More shooters
It would be nice to see the Lakers add at least two shooters this offseason. Someone such as Evan Fournier could be the best-case option for the mid-level exception while the team could sign someone such as JJ Redick to a veteran minimum deal.
Shooting may not be the Lakers’ full M-O but they still need shooters. The Lakers shot 35.4% as a unit in the playoffs in 2020. They shot 29.9% in 2021 (27.5% outside of LeBron).