Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons why LA could target Terry Rozier
By Robert Marvi
The 2020-21 NBA season was a huge disappointment for the Los Angeles Lakers. Coming off their 17th NBA world championship, they suffered a first-round playoff loss to the Phoenix Suns largely due to injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Although the Lakers had one of the strongest rosters in the league this season, many feel they need to upgrade it if they’re to regain the title next year.
By far the team’s biggest need is a high-quality ball-handling guard who can get his own shot and create for his teammates.
Part of the reason why is that James is 36 years old and has a ton of mileage. Preserving him and reducing his workload, particularly in the regular season, is an absolute must to boost the Lakers’ championship odds.
There are rumors that L.A. is interested in big names such as Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard and Kyle Lowry. A less sexy rumor has the Purple and Gold interested in reuniting with Lonzo Ball.
There is another potential target that makes sense for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In my opinion, the best all-around option for such a player is the Charlotte Hornets‘ Terry Rozier.
Unlike Westbrook, Paul, Lillard and Lowry, Rozier would be much easier to acquire, mostly because he makes much less money. Unlike Ball, Rozier is a fairly well-rounded player who is not injury-prone and doesn’t have a really annoying and arrogant dad.
A package centered around Kyle Kuzma (who apparently doesn’t want to be a Laker anymore) could net Rozier, at least as far as NBA rules are concerned.
Such a package would leave starting point guard Dennis Schroder available for a sign-and-trade, as well as big man Montrezl Harrell (if he opts into next season). That would allow the Lakers to go out and use them to acquire a good 3-and-D wing and/or a serviceable center.
Other than being more gettable, why is Rozier such a great target for the Purple and Gold?