Comparing the “other guys” on the Lakers roster:
Cam Reddish | Devin Ebanks
We have delved into the excitement that came with Reddish’s NBA entrance, as well as the disappointment stemming from his inability to live up to expectations. Devin Ebanks was not a lottery pick like Reddish, but there was a similar amount of positive energy tied to him upon being drafted by the Lakers in 2010. Ebanks was never able to make it work in Los Angeles. Hopefully, Cam’s fortunes will be different now that he dons the same jersey as the similarly lanky, silky-smooth Ebanks.
Jalen Hood-Schifino | Darius Morris
Starting things off, these two both originated from Big Ten powerhouses (Indiana and Michigan, respectively). Secondly, neither are/were well-respected for their jump shooting. On the bright side, the two (rare) Laker point guard draftees entered the NBA with NBA-ready bodies. Just like Morris, JHS is built for battle. There are not many (if any) active guards who are going to view him as a mismatch. When Morris was still a youngster, there were actually times when the coaching staff tasked him with guarding guys like Carmelo Anthony.
If JHS can show he is sturdy enough to withstand those types of matchups, he may be able to earn some actual minutes as a rookie. That is something that he would almost have to do as a result of (fingers crossed) unforeseen injury issues, but the NBA is a next-man-up enterprise in which all employees must remain ready.
Maxwell Lewis | Wesley Johnson
Lewis has the potential to paint a lot of teams silly for letting him slip to the Lakers in the second round. If he can maximize his potential, he could be the latest example of this scouting department’s psychic powers. As a 6’7″ hooper with a wide wing span, he already fits the prototype of what teams want their wings to look like.
In hindsight, Wesley Johnson looked like the type of wing that could mature into one of the more successful swingmen in the league. Coming out of Syracuse, he seemed to fit all of the most crucial criteria. He could shoot. He could create. He could defend. He could do everything.
But he did not and now exemplifies one of those sad stories of failure. As Laker fans, we pray that Lewis (and Reddish) can steer clear of that same sad song.