The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the busiest teams during NBA free agency this offseason and they have put together one of the best showings as well. Not every signing has been perfect but Rob Pelinka has crafted a rotation that is young, talented and deep.
As it stands right now, assuming the two rookies from the 2023 NBA Draft make the roster, Los Angeles has 13 players on the books. This leaves room for two more players, whether that be elevating G League standouts or signing free agents.
Los Angeles has two thin spots on the roster that can be addressed. The team would benefit from adding another big to take the pressure off Anthony Davis in the regular season and it would also benefit from adding another two guard.
As it stands right now, Austin Reaves and Max Christie are the only two traditional two guards on the roster. While fans are expecting Christie to take a step up in his sophomore season, the Lakers should at least have an insurance plan if he struggles. That insurance plan should come via a reunion with a former second-round pick for the Lake Show.
Lakers should sign Svi Mykhailiuk to add shooting guard depth
There is no such thing as too much three-point shooting and that is exactly what Svi Mykhailiuk would bring to the team. Mykhailiuk was initially drafted by the Lakers because of his ability to be a marksman from deep and he would provide a great bench shooting presence for LA.
Mykhailiuk has bounced around the league as he hasn’t been able to find a secure team where he can get consistent minutes. The tanking Charlotte Hornets picks him up last season and gave him 19.5 minutes per game and the results were solid. The former Kansas Jayhawk shot 40.4% from three and averaged 10.6 points per game.
Los Angeles doesn’t even need Mykhailiuk to have that big of a role in the rotation and he might get phased out entirely in the postseason. But as a third shooting guard that can play 12-15 minutes a night in the regular season, he would bring great value.
After all, the bench unit does lack shooting. Gabe Vincent isn’t a great three-point shooter in his career, Jarred Vanderbilt can’t really shoot, Jaxson Hayes isn’t a floor spacer and Cam Reddish has struggled from three. Taurean Prince is the only bench player who has shown to be a consistent threat from three.
Mykhailiuk would be available at the minimum and with the team’s ability to develop players, we could see the best version of Mykhailiuk in the NBA. After all, he is still only 26 years old.