Championship-winning Lakers that may be back in LA by Opening Night

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 09: Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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Markieff Morris Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Markieff Morris Lakers

2. Markieff Morris

Unlike Danny Green, Markieff Morris actually played a big role in the Lakers’ 2020 championship run. The midseason addition was one of the best role players on the team during the NBA Playoffs and even had a postseason run that was worth remembering.

Morris shot 42% from beyond the arc in that playoff run, making it the fifth-highest three-point percentage for any Lakers player in a playoff run with at least 60 attempts. At the time it was the fourth-highest but was recently surpassed by Austin Reaves’ red-hot 2023 postseason.

Just imagine if Morris was able to play his way into the back end of the playoff rotation and could put together a similar postseason run. If he and Reaves shot similarly then that would give the Lakers two great off-ball options.

Markieff Morris checks the boxes the Lakers are currently looking for

It seems like a matter of if, not when, the Lakers will sign another center. The team has also insisted that it is looking for a floor-spacing big, which Morris would certainly provide.

Morris is not a traditional five but with Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes already on the roster the team may not need a traditional five. The Lakers just need someone who can log center minutes off the bench while providing a different offensive outlook. Morris is that guy.