Los Angeles Lakers: Wayne Ellington’s Potential Role

With the recent news that Wayne Ellington has signed a veteran minimum deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team’s backcourt becomes a bit more crowded and cloudy as the dog days of summer melt away.

With a solid amount of swingmen already on the roster, there will be legitimate competition for playing time as the preseason begins. Xavier Henry, Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, and Jordan Clarkson make up the mix that Wayne Ellington will join for what likely amounts to one starting slot to go with two primary backup positions at the two-guard and small forward.

Kobe Bryant will continue to man the starting shooting guard spot as long as his body lets him.

More from Los Angeles Lakers

• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
• A surprise LeBron ranking should raise alarm bells for the Lakers
• Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal
• Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
• Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup

While there are differences in the skill sets of these players, it will be hard for them to all find consistent playing time, provided they make the roster. With Wayne Ellington being the latest addition to the group, he faces something of an uphill climb in terms of establishing himself. He does, however, have an in with the new boss as our own Shane Young points out in this article on Ellington’s signing.

This makes the acquisition a bit more interesting because it gives Byron Scott a player he can turn to as he installs particular sets, at least early on. It is possible Wayne Ellington could capitalize on that edge with some good play, and ultimately make the roster.

So, why would the Lakers need Ellington outside of his relationship with the new head man?

Most notably he can be a sniper from the outside, something this club lost a good bit of when Steve Blake was dealt, and forfeited even more when Jodie Meeks bolted for a rich offer to become a Detroit Piston.

Wayne Ellington has shot 42 percent from beyond the arc the past two seasons, and could conceivably be the threat that the Los Angeles Lakers require from distance.

Having Ellington to potentially space the floor in pick-and-roll situations could prove to be a boon for the team as well. With pieces in place to be able to run effective plays in that mold, a player that is money from the outside could add a different dimension when the offense is orchestrated.

Even outside of his biggest NBA skill, and his prior experience with head coach Byron Scott, there is value to the addition of Ellington to the camp roster.

With Kobe Bryant and Xavier Henry as injury risks, and rookie Jordan Clarkson in all likelihood not yet ready for a significant role, Wayne Ellington could come on board as a fill-in player that actually has some practice time under his belt in the system, or even off the depths of the bench in order to bide time until one of the bigger name guys returns.

At the veteran minimum, adding this guy purely as depth is not a bad move.

If he can continue shooting around the 40 percent mark from three, he will see some time on the court, and should make a significant impact for the Lakers as a marksman off the bench.

If not, he will serve as a potentially excellent depth option, given the tendency of the current staff to miss a game here or there.

Either way, Wayne Ellington is a solid signing for the Lakers, who are able to potentially fill another role for a bargain bin price.