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Los Angeles Lakers roster: 3 players who could get axed from the rotation

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA Tournament Play-In game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on May 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA Tournament Play-In game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on May 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Kent Bazemore

Kent Bazemore put together good numbers for the Golden State Warriors last season which seems to indicate that he can be a very valuable player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He shot the three very well and his defensive analytics were great. All signs are pointing to him being an important part of the rotation.

That being said, Bazemore has been very inconsistent throughout his career and there is a reason why he was only worth a minimum contract. He did reportedly turn down more money from the Golden State Warriors but it likely was not that much more.

The backcourt is crowded and Bazemore is absolutely at risk of being one of the players that gets bumped out when the rotation shrinks. Bazemore is going to log minutes at the two and three and there are several players ahead of him that could make the case for more minutes.

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Wayne Ellington is going to be in there as long as his three-point shot allows him to be. If Ellington shoots like he did last season then he might even be in the team’s closing lineup. Malik Monk is an extremely intriguing bench two-guard that could be a microwave scorer and Talen Horton-Tucker is a fantastic defender who is versatile.

Once LeBron James and Anthony Davis start getting more minutes later in the year there are going to be fewer minutes for someone like Bazemore at the backend of the rotation.

Bazemore is going to have to prove that he is not inconsistent and put together a season similar to last season in order to stay in the rotation. It certainly is possible, but knowing his track record, it could go the other way as well.

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