Los Angeles Lakers: 3 under-the-radar free agents to consider

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Garrison Mathews #24 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena on May 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Garrison Mathews #24 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena on May 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

2. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Garrison Mathews would bring shooting to the Los Angeles Lakers, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would bring defense. Hollis-Jefferson would not bring any sort of shooting, as he has been a well below-average shooter throughout his NBA career.

That is likely the main reason why he is still available on the market. Hollis-Jefferson is a solid defensive player who has really good advanced numbers on the defensive end but he is a zero offensively.

It would not be the first time that the Lakers wove in a player who did not do much offensively but was great defensively. That was the entire start of Alex Caruso’s career with the Lakers and over time he got better and more reliable on the offensive end.

Hollis-Jefferson would not play nearly the role that Alex Caruso did but he would give the Lakers some defensive wing depth that they can utilize in certain situations. Hollis-Jefferson is only six-six but he has a long wingspan of seven-two, which he utilizes to close out on shooters and intercept passing lanes.

Hollis-Jefferson has been well positive in Defensive Box Plus/Minus for his entire career. He posted a 2.2 DBPM in his rookie season and has a career mark of 0.9.

That may not sound great but it puts him 48th in the NBA among players with at least 6,000 minutes played since his NBA debut. 228 players qualify, putting him in the 79th percentile.