There is no doubt, that the Los Angeles Lakers season was a huge disappointment. Finishing at 33-49 sends a signal that the team desperately needs to reshape the roster. One of the main problems the Lakers faced was the defensive side of the ball.
With a team defensive rating of 113.3, they ranked 21st in the league. The team also ranked 28th in opponents points per game. The Lakers also struggled tremendously from three this season.
That’s where I think veteran Gary Harris can come in and help the team.
Why the Lakers should sign Gary Harris this offseason:
On the defensive side of the ball, Harris could instantly come in and be that spark the team needs. Often, the Lakers looked very sluggish and tired on the court. Harris is a gritty veteran who can relieve pressure on a lot of the older players. He’s made his mark on the league as a 3 and D guard.
On the offensive side of the ball, Harris excels at exactly what the Lakers need. Consistent three-point shooting was one of the team’s struggles this season. Harris had a three-point percentage of 38.4% this past season. This would’ve likely been even higher if he didn’t have such a slow start to the season.
With superstar playmaker LeBron James, Harris should get a ton of catch and shoot opportunities. Last year, Harris was a catch and shoot machine, shooting 41% from three on catch and shoot opportunities. I believe that the Laker system is absolutely perfect for a guy like Harris.
He is a great 3 and D player that knows his role and has a good amount of experience in this league. What’s also great about Harris is that he would be one of the youngest players on the team. At only 27 years old, Harris is a veteran player while still being young.
While he is the perfect fit for the Lakers, there’s one thing holding the team from acquiring the 27-year-old; the cap space of the Lakers is absolutely limited. The team essentially has no money to spend at all this upcoming year, which means that Harris would have to come via a minimum contract.
If Harris is ready to compete for a championship and no other team offers more than the minimum then it is possible. Though the Lakers struggled last year, when you have LeBron James on your team, you will always be competing. Gary Harris could potentially be another version of Malik Monk for LA.