Three games into the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2017-18 campaign and it’s already looking like a few players are seen as expendable this season.
Yes, we’re only three games into the 2017-18 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers. While that may be the case, we’ve learned a lot through the first few contests about this roster and the coaching staff’s plans for taking advantage of its various talents.
One of the main things I’ve noticed is that the Lakers appear to be scaling back the roles of a few prominent players. As some of the younger prospects begin to earn minutes and opportunities, other players will be forced into reduced rules that could bring their statuses as long-term pieces of the puzzle into question.
It’s unfortunate, but it’s also part of the business of the NBA. As teams add more talent, some of the other players are forced to cede opportunities. In some cases, it can even allow the front office to move on from a player altogether.
While I’m not saying these guys are as good as gone, it’s not looking good for them through three games. The Lakers figure to make some moves between now and the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Could they be involved in a deal when that time comes?
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It’s anyone’s guess, but I believe they stand a better chance than others of being sent packing. With that in mind, here’s my look at three Lakers players who already appear to be expendable during the 2017-18 campaign.
Tyler Ennis
Realistically, only so much could have been expected from Tyler Ennis this season. However, he seemed like solid security as the Lakers’ No. 3 point guard. As we’ve seen through three games, his role is minimal at best.
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Obviously Lonzo Ball is the main man at point guard, and will be given plenty of minutes this season as long as he’s healthy. Behind him, Jordan Clarkson has already asserted himself as the top scoring option off the bench and would get first crack in the instance Ball was unavailable.
Now based on what we’ve seen so far, I’d venture a guess that Josh Hart is actually sitting in that No. 3 role. Although most consider him a shooting guard, he has the physical tools to be the on-ball guard if called upon. He’s played more minutes than Ennis up to this point, and has been more effective.
Even before Alex Caruso was deactivated following the return of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, he had looked more impressive than Ennis as well. And with his ability to play either guard spot, the Summer League star could easily replace him in the lineup.
Ennis would be a nice throw-in on a trade, either as added value or to make the financials work. He’s no homerun talent capable of making an instant impact elsewhere, but a point guard-needy team could use his quickness and scoring abilities off the bench.
Luol Deng
This isn’t at all surprising, is it? We’ve known since before the arrival of Magic Johnson that Luol Deng was expendable. The only question at this point is whether or not the Lakers are ever going to be able to find a taker for the injury-prone veteran and his horrid contract.
To make matters worse for Deng, he’s not providing much value for the $18 million he’s making this season. In his only appearance through three games, he saw 10 minutes and managed two points, one assist and one turnover. That yielded him a measly 5.4 Player Efficiency Rating.
At this point in his lengthy NBA career, Deng is a shell of his former self. He’s nowhere near worth the $54 million the Lakers still owe him over the next three seasons. Someone will try to convince you that he’s making an impact in a mentorship role (via the LA Times), but that isn’t worth a fraction of what Jim Buss/Mitch Kupchak forced them to pay him.
Deng will be expendable until the day he’s dealt. It’s unclear if Los Angeles will be able to make that happen prior to the 2018 trade deadline in early February. You can bet Johnson and co. will make every effort to pull off what appears to be an impossible trade, though.
Sorry to any Deng fans, but he’s nothing more than wasted cap space for this club. You can keep lying to yourself with the whole “mentor” angle if you want.
Julius Randle
Through the first two games, it looked like the Lakers wanted nothing to do with Julius Randle. A year after serving as the starting power forward, the former first round pick was given only 15 minutes per outing. What he did with those 15 minutes wasn’t anything special.
Then Los Angeles’ third game rolled around, and things seemed to get better for Randle.
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He logged 24 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans, nine minutes more than starter Larry Nance Jr. The Lakers seemed to have deployed him to counteract the strength, athleticism and tenacity of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. While it worked to an extent, Randle really wasn’t all that successful.
In those 24 minutes, the backup power forward managed 11 points, two rebounds, two blocks and two turnovers. He was solid offensively during his large chunk of minutes in the fourth quarter, but struggled to keep Cousins in check. He wrestled with him down low, but was forced into too many fouls and allowed the Pelicans’ big man to get the best of him.
Just check Randle’s +2 plus/minus if you’re not convinced. At least a handful of his offensive opportunities were more a result of great passing by his teammates instead of his own work.
On top of that, the Lakers clearly seem interested in seeing what Larry Nance Jr. can do in a starting role. They also need to get Kyle Kuzma more minutes, and want to do so by playing him at the 4. There simply aren’t enough minutes to go around, which could hurt the 2018 restricted free agent Los Angeles likely isn’t interested in paying big bucks to retain.
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Randle may have a role, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be expendable. He’s already been demoted to the bench — what’s to keep Magic from taking it one step further? The Lakers are likely going to need a trade chip to unload Deng, and the former No. 7 overall pick may just be it.