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Los Angeles Lakers: Which role player will have the biggest impact?

By Addam Goldman

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 26: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the net past Robert Franks #0 of the Orlando Magic and Dwayne Bacon #8 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center on April 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 26: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the net past Robert Franks #0 of the Orlando Magic and Dwayne Bacon #8 of the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center on April 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Which Los Angeles Lakers role player will have the greatest impact during the 2021-2022 season? Let’s break it down, first starting with those that did not crack the top three.

Not a chance on the Los Angeles Lakers

Wayne Ellington

Bill Oram, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick from The Athletic recently revealed that according to “anonymous sources,” Wayne Ellington is the front runner to start at shooting guard for the Lakers. Well, according to the “anonymous sources” in my head (otherwise called logic), he doesn’t have a puncher’s chance of starting in the backcourt.

Wayne Ellington was the worst defender (117 DEFRTG) on an awful Pistons squad last season, and that wasn’t an outlier. Ellington’s best defensive season (109 DEFRTG) came nearly a decade ago in 2012, and he was still worse than almost every Lakers player last year on D. Ellington will not start, and depending on his effort level, he might not even play regular minutes.

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan gives you nearly nothing on offense. He has no post moves, no outside stroke, no midrange game, and his roll game has declined significantly in recent season. On the less glamorous side of the ball, his defensive field goal percentage last season was nearly identical to Lauri Markkanen and Montrezl Harrell’s, two players who bring little to the table on defense but at least help their squads on offense. So, DeAndre Jordan should be an insurance policy and nothing more next season.

Honorable mentions

Dwight Howard

Howard’s numbers were nearly identical over his previous two seasons in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. He averaged right around 18 minutes per game, 7 PPG, and 7.5 RPG while playing gritty in-your-face-I’m-gonna-annoy-you-until-you-make-a-silly-mistake defense. We can expect at least that much from “Superman” this season, but if the preseason is any indicator, he might have a more significant impact than most fans expect.

Yes, Howard was leading the Lakers in scoring and rebounding through the first three practice games, but those numbers are unimportant. What does matter, though, is that Dwight is looking spry. He’s moving extremely well, and he’s springing towards the rim like it’s 2014. If Dwight keeps moving the way he has so far in 2021, he could very well be the Lakers’ most important role player.

Carmelo Anthony

Anthony was a solid addition by Lakers management. He’s morphed into one of the best spot-shooters in the league, and on a Lakers squad starving for long-distance marksmen, at times, he’ll be a boon. “At times” is the key phrase, though. He could be the worst defensive big in the league.

He’s so slow that against certain matchups, he’s unplayable for a title-chasing team like the Lakers. Anthony will have his moments this season for the Lakers, but he won’t get extended playing time.

Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza is the hardest incoming role player to read. His year-to-year shooting numbers fluctuate like the stock market of late. In 2019 he shot 33 percent from deep, in 2020 he knocked down 37 percent of his shot attempts from beyond the arc, and last season he connected on 35 percent of his long-distance chances. Here’s what we can expect from Ariza once he comes back in approximately eight weeks from ankle surgery:

  • Make or miss, he’s going to fire away from deep.
  • He’ll play solid defense (last season on Miami, he held his assignments to 3.4 percent under their normal average, the same as Anthony Davis).
  • He’ll play mistake-free basketball.

Kendrick Nunn

Kendrick Nunn started his only two seasons for the Miami Heat. Last year he averaged 14.6 PPG and 38 FG3% while connecting on a very impressive 75 percent of his shots at the rim. But, Nunn lost his starting gig in the playoffs two seasons ago as the Miami Heat marched to the finals, and last season in the playoffs, his points average dipped down to ten per game, and he shot a measly 28 percent from deep.

Plus, his defense has been so bad throughout his two-year career he has an overall 0.4 value over replacement player rating, meaning he’s been slightly better than an inconsistent young player.

Kendrick Nunn is 25, but he’s still newish to the NBA. Things could slow down for him on the defensive end during the 2021-2022 season, and he could genuinely help the Lakers with his shot-making ability in the lane and his long-distance stroke.

It’s doubtful, though. Nothing he’s done in preseason shows any progression from his previous two years in Florida. He’s shooting less than 30 percent from deep, taking wild shots in the lane, and playing soft D. I bet he averages 8 PPG next season in a diminished role.

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