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Lakers: 3 free agents who can be contingency plans for Russell Westbrook

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits for a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits for a free throw during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Delon Wright

There is a case to be made that Delon Wright is not in the Lakers’ price range because of his age but coming off of a season in which he averaged fewer than 20 minutes per game with fewer than five points, he could end up being another savvy guard signing by the Lakers.

Delon Wright is not a pure point guard and would not be a direct replacement for Westbrook in a potential contingency plan. However, we have seen in the past that the Lakers do not need a pure point guard to play big minutes with LeBron James on the team.

Instead, getting a combo-guard who can be the de facto point guard while playing good defense and having good shot-making is a good route to take. That is exactly the route the Lakers would take with Wright, who in theory, could be a better Avery Bradley.

Wright is not a high-volume three-point shooter but he has shot 37.3% from beyond the arc over the last three seasons. Defensively, Wright is one of the more underrated defenders, posting a 2.4 Defensive Box Plus/Minus last season.

Of the 108 guards who played at least 1,400 minutes last season, Wright’s 2.4 DBPM ranked second, only behind Philadelphia’s Matisse Thybulle.

The Lakers need defense and while he may not be a traditional point guard, having a great defender who does not need a high usage rate might actually be the perfect contingency plan for Westbrook.

There is one other — familiar — option.

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