Ranking top 5 3-point shooters on Los Angeles Lakers roster
By Tyler Watts
2. D’Angelo Russell
Russell is not the best shooter on the Lakers by percentage, but volume matters. He made 194 triples last season, which is by far the most of their current roster. Had he played the entire season for LA, he would have broken Nick Van Exel’s team record of 183 3-pointers made from 1995.
D-Lo is a career 36.2 percent 3-point shooter who has made 37.2 percent over the last three seasons. He is above average and draws plenty of gravity. Last year, Russell made 40.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes and 45.1 percent of the shots deemed wide-open by NBA Stats.
The lefty is an elite shooter who must play better defense if he wants to stay on the floor when it matters most. D’Angelo Russell talked about modeling his game after Derrick White this preseason, and it sounds like he is making an effort to improve. If Russell becomes even an average defender, his value would skyrocket.
The Los Angeles Lakers re-signed D-Lo on a two-year $36 million contract this summer and there are already trade rumblings. Russell has a player option next summer, and it could be a short stay in LA. The 6’4 guard is one of their best shooters, but his defense will determine his minutes and longevity with the franchise.