4 former Los Angeles Lakers that the team can re-sign this summer

By Jason Reed | Apr 24, 2022

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 26: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Houston Rockets gestures during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 26, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. The Houston Rockets won 115-98. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Markieff Morris

If there was a Markieff Morris fan club for fans of the Los Angeles Lakers then I would be one of the founding members. Morris joined the team in March right before the 2019-20 season shut down and then spent all of the 2020-21 season with the Lake Show before departing to the Miami Heat.

In that time, Morris was one of the most undervalued role players on the Lakers. Los Angeles really lacked a rotation player like Morris this past season and having him on the team could have made a tangible difference.

Would the Lakers have been a title contender? No. But I firmly do believe that just having Morris instead of someone like Trevor Ariza could have swung two or three games. And if it swung two or three games, the Lakers might still be playing.

Los Angeles did not have a traditional backup four with Ariza essentially being that option for LA. The problem was that Ariza missed time to start the year and was horrible when he returned. If the Lakers had Morris to fill in while Davis was hurt, as well as play some small-ball five instead of LeBron, then things would have been better.

Morris signed a minimum deal with the Heat and after missing most of the season after his altercation with Nikola Jokic, his value is not going to be any higher. Rob Pelinka should be pushing hard to get Morris back in LA this summer.

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