Most Los Angeles Lakers news that is reported at this point in the season has been about the team’s dysfunction behind the scenes that all serve as a precursor to what is going to be a very interesting summer of moves. However, the Lakers made a move early, as the team has signed former three-point champion, Darren Collison.
After a three-game stint with the Lakers this season on a 10-day contract, the Lakers have signed Collison to a G League contract. Collison adds reinforcements to a good South Bay Lakers team and is trying to play his way onto the NBA roster for a potential playoff run.
Sources: Free agent guard Darren Collison is joining the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate – South Bay Lakers (17-9) – in hopes of helping lead the No. 2 seed to a G League title as well as earning a call-up to an NBA team.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 22, 2022
While Collison was pretty bad in his three games with the Lakers this season, he was also coming off of a two-plus-year hiatus from the league. Getting him in the G League to get his legs back under him makes sense for him as a pro and makes sense for the Lakers.
Why signing Darren Collison is great Los Angeles Lakers news.
While Collison is 34 years old, the miles on his legs are less because of his time away from the league and there is legitimate potential that he could turn into a rotation player. It is not likely that he will be able to work his way into the NBA rotation before the playoffs but this is a potential multi-year plan by the Lakers.
By signing him to the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers can get him into the building to properly evaluate him while also giving him a chance to get back into NBA shape. The Lakers are going to be bringing in a slew of new talent this offseason and this essentially serves as a head start.
And if it doesn’t work out for Collison in the G League then there is no harm, no foul. It is not like he is costing the team anything against the luxury tax. This is a complete flier with nothing but upside.
The upside is a talented scoring guard who would be a great point guard to have on the floor with LeBron James because he does not need the basketball and he can knock down shots. Collison is a career 39.4% three-point shooter and led the entire league in three-point percentage in the 2017-18 season when he shot 46.8% from beyond the arc.
This Lakers news very well could end up being minimal and have no impact on the team in the future. However, it could also be the seeds to a savvy addition to the roster for next season.