Los Angeles Lakers: Kendrick Nunn is the key to the bench’s success
The Los Angeles Lakers lineup is basically set in stone with the exception of shooting guard. Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Dwight Howard will likely start at the other positions. This means Kendrick Nunn will come off the bench as a combo guard.
Nunn will be asked to run the second unit at times particularly if Westbrook and LeBron aren’t on the floor. It’s also possible the Lakers work through Talen Horton-Tucker and Rajon Rondo in their second unit. Nevertheless, Nunn will get minutes to do some damage. After all the Lakers didn’t use their Taxpayer’s Mid-Level Exception on him to play him sparingly.
The reserve role is something Nunn hasn’t been familiar with. In his first two seasons in the league, he has started 111 of 123 games in his career. In the playoffs, his role has diminished though as he has started just two of 19 playoff games.
MUST-READ: 2 Lakers who benefit the most from Rajon Rondo
Nunn is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.6 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Miami Heat. Nunn showed improvement in shot selection and decision-making. He went from shooting 44% from the field as a rookie to 49%. Most importantly he shot 38% from deep while making 2.2 per game. Nunn averaged only 1.4 turnovers per game.
Getting Nunn, a key contributor for a playoff team at two years $10 million is quite the bargain. Nunn sacrificed more money for a chance to play a smaller role on a championship-level team. Nunn could have easily gotten around $10 million per season on another team looking for guard play. This is certainly a low-risk, high-reward for the Lakers as the second year is a player option.
Instead of playing 25-30 minutes somewhere else, he will likely play around 20 minutes but he will be relied on to do what he does best.
Kendrick Nunn provides the Los Angeles Lakers with a much-needed scorer alongside their three superstars.
After Westbrook, LeBron, and Davis they only have a few guys who can get their own offense. Carmelo Anthony, Horton-Tucker, and Malik Monk are some of the only guys that can get their own offense when their number is called.
Nunn’s ability to play point guard will create easier looks for guys like Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore, and his teammate from last year, Trevor Ariza. As a result, the Los Angeles Lakers should have a terrific bench as long as each player recognizes his role.
Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark
Look for Nunn to average around 12-13 points off the bench. Nunn will have some nights where he doesn’t play big minutes but when he gets more opportunities he will have some terrific performances.