Way too early grades for Lakers’ 2023 free-agent signings
![MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 06: Christian Wood #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on November 06, 2023 in Miami, 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 06: Christian Wood #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on November 06, 2023 in Miami, 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d9db9a6a6dcdc38dc3187a256a76a66995da344e4ea36c587d70102bbca7b970.jpg)
Taurean Prince’s Lakers Grade: B-
Despite missing a couple of games due to injury, Prince has fit in fairly well as a role player this season. He can knock down the open jumper, finish at the rim, and he plays solid defense on the wing which is something the Lakers have lacked the past few seasons.
Prince is averaging the third most 3-pointers made per game on the team. A consistent shooter on the wing is something the Lakers are in desperate need of, and it looks like he can be that guy in the starting lineup for them.
So far, he has looked like a solid fit playing with AD and LeBron because of his willingness to defend and be a threat off the ball on offense. That is probably the reason why he is fifth on the team in minutes per game and looks like he has earned the trust of Darvin Ham.
But if he is going to get big minutes and play over guys like Hachimura, he needs to play better on a nightly basis. In some games, he has shined, like against Denver when he dropped 18 points and made four threes. But then in the next game, he didn’t score at all, and outside of his other 20-point performance against Sacramento, he has failed to reach double figures in any other contest.