3 most underrated players currently on the Los Angeles Lakers roster

By Jason Reed | Aug 14, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 02, 2022 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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2. Kendrick Nunn

Kendrick Nunn is the forgotten-about role player on the Los Angeles Lakers because he did not play a single game for the team last season. After suiting up in some preseason games, Nunn suffered an injury and multiple setbacks that kept him out for the entire season.

Nunn signed with the Lakers on a two-year Taxpayer MLE deal last summer and was viewed as a savvy signing by Rob Pelinka and co. He and Malik Monk were meant to be the breakout guards that gave the Lakers scoring depth off the bench last season.

Monk broke out and signed a new deal with the Sacramento Kings and it would not be surprising if Nunn did the same thing this year. After all, if he would have played last season he probably would have increased his worth and signed a new deal, like Monk. Instead, he opted into his player option.

While he certainly has holes in his game (looking at his defense), Nunn has a lot to like as well. In the 2020-21 season, he averaged 14.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 29.5 minutes per game. Better yet, he shot 38.1% from three and 93.3% from the free-throw line.

He did not get to the free-throw line all that often but he hit his shots when he did. For a team that does not have many great three-point shooters and was horrible at the charity stripe last year, that is a much-needed addition.

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