Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the day one signings by potential impact
By Jason Reed
2. Wayne Ellington
Some people may rank Wayne Ellington first on this list because of his shooting and I definitely understand that line of thinking. The Los Angeles Lakers needed to add shooting after trading for Westbrook as that is the M-O in the modern NBA and the Lakers were barren in shooting.
Granted, the Lakers have not bought into the three-point trend and won a title, but they also won that title because players like Rajon Rondo and Markieff Morris stepped up and got hot from the three-point line.
Ellington is a nice addition to the Lakers as he provides exactly what the team needs shooting-wise. Ellington shot 42.2% from beyond the arc last season, which was the second-highest percentage of his career, and did so taking six threes per game.
He took those six threes in only 22 minutes, so it is clear that he was a high-volume shooter last season. That will likely be the story with the Lakers as well. Ellington will take five or so threes per game and the main goal will be to make two a game.
Ellington absolutely can play himself into the crunch time lineup if he becomes a consistent and reliable shooting presence for LeBron James and Russell Westbrook to dish it out to. The only problem is his defense, which is really poor, as it could hold him back in terms of his role.
Ellington has to continue to shoot great to get important minutes with his defense. Meanwhile, no. 1 on this list is a lock to have an important role.