Los Angeles Lakers: Why signing Mike James would be a colossal mistake

By Jason Reed | Aug 18, 2021

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Mike James #55 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 12 players signed to the roster for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. NBA teams are allocated 15 roster spots and the Lakers are likely going to get to 14 to leave one roster spot open for a future signing during the season.

It is very rare that a team has fewer than 14 players on a roster and even rarer for a team to have less than 13. One thing is for certain: the Lakers are going to make another signing in free agency and are likely going to make two.

The Lakers are making their rounds on who to sign with these final roster spots and worked out the point guard trio of Mike James, Darren Collison and Isaiah Thomas. None of these point guards were named in our ideal situation for the final three roster spots and it is surprising to see the Lakers pursue another point guard.

There definitely is a worst option for the Lakers and that is Mike James.

Signing Mike James would be a colossal mistake by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The final roster spots are not going to warrant a big role in the rotation anyway so it might seem a bit hyperbolic to call a potential signing a colossal mistake. That highlights just how bad it would be for the Lakers to sign James at this point in the offseason.

Sorry to any Mike James fans out there, but the fact of the matter is that he would be a bad signing by Rob Pelinka. Let’s break down why.

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