3. Kent Bazemore
I just don’t see it with Kent Bazemore. I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion with some readers as there seems to be a contingent of Lakers fans who really like Bazemore’s game. Bazemore has been starting for the Lakers with all of the injuries on the roster and he has only shown me that he should not have that big of a role.
Yes, on paper he is what the Lakers need as he is a decent perimeter defender and an off-ball shooter. That being said, I think his defensive abilities are far overstated and he is not someone who can play crunchtime and defend a star guard in a big moment.
He is fine in smaller bursts off the bench but I would much rather have someone such as Trevor Ariza or Talen Horton-Tucker in that situation defensively. Both of which are hurt, which is why Bazemore is playing as much as he is.
Bazemore probably won’t be cut by the Lakers but stranger things have happened. If he continues to struggle while the team is hurt he is only going to dig himself a bigger grave for once Ariza and THT return. If midseason rolls around and the Lakers are looking to trim some of the fat from the roster, and Bazemore isn’t really even playing much, then he is a candidate to be let go.
Bazemore fans will say it is a small sample size and that is absolutely fair but I was not a Bazemore fan before the season began, so this isn’t merely an overreaction after two games.
It is important to note that Bazemore is shooting 28.6% from the field, 27.3% from three and has not been that great on defense either.