Lake Show Life
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Kent Bazemore

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is out, and Kent Bazemore is in. Bazemore might not start at KCP’s old position, shooting guard; he is more suited at the 3 spot. Regardless of his position and his starting status, Bazemore is essentially replacing Caldwell-Pope.

Check out Kent Bazemore and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s stats over the last two seasons:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:

  • 2019-2020: 39% on catch and shoot three-pointers, 65% from 0-3 feet, 75 defensive field goal percentage, 0.088 defensive win shares, and overall the Lakers were -2.6 with him on the court
  • 2020-2021: 42% on catch and shoot three-pointers, 60% from 0-3 feet, 73 defensive field goal percentage, 0.111 defensive win shares, and overall the Lakers were +0.4 with him on the court

Kent Bazemore:

  • 2019-2020 (Bazemore was traded during the season but played most his game with the Trail Blazers. We’ll use his Portland numbers.): 37% on catch and shoot three-pointers, 60% from 0-3 feet, 58 defensive field goal percentage, 0.089 defensive win shares (1st on the Trail Blazers), and overall Portland was +2.8 with him on the court
  • 2020-2021: 42% on catch and shoot three-pointers, 64% from 0-3 feet, 59 defensive field goal percentage, 0.094 defensive win shares, and overall the Warriors were +9.5 with him on the court

Both players are solid 3-and-D players, and their numbers over the last two seasons bear that out. Still, Bazemore has that Alex Caruso vibe about him. Good things seem to happen when he is in, and that’s clear from his on/off-court splits. The Portland Trail Blazers were nearly three points better when “Baze” played, and the Warriors were a massive 9.5 points better with him on the court.

Over the last couple of seasons, KCP was up there with Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, and Rajon Rondo as one of the Lakers’ most valuable role players. Its easy to see Bazemore stepping in and replicating Caldwell-Pope’s three-point shooting and high-energy defense, making him just as crucial as KCP was over the past couple of seasons.

Home/Lakers News