Los Angeles Lakers: Suitor For Quincy Miller?

Despite the season being three games in, the Los Angeles Lakers are still in the market for prospects. There are still plenty of questions regarding the team working towards a competitive rotation, and the answers seem very far away. Kobe Bryant is approaching retirement, and the younger role players are in pursuit of a solidified role.

The year will hopefully end fast for the Lakers. Thus far, the team is winless, and the road gets tougher for them. For now, the Lakers are digging deep into the remaining names of the market. An intriguing prospect has caught the eye of the Lakers’ brass.

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Former Denver Nugget swingman

was once regarded as one of the nation’s best prep athletes. Entering Baylor University, it seemed as if he was a shell of himself, mostly attributed to a torn ACL. After his sophomore season there, Miller entered the 2012 NBA Draft, being selected in the second round.

The Nuggets featured a roster with a plethora of small forwards and young guards. This depth left Miller on the outside looking into the team’s distribution of minutes. After a two-year stint, 59 games played, and 16 games started, Miller was recently waived by the team.

The Lakers are incredibly thin at the small forward position with only Wesley Johnson and Xavier Henry soaking up minutes at the spot. It appears that the team has Miller on their radar, and a chance to land the 22-year old.

Miller is no world-beater, as he boasts averages in his most recent season of 4.9 points per game and less than three rebounds. What has the Lakers so interested? It is likely the affordable price and potential that Miller possesses. If Los Angeles can sign him on a bargain deal and provide meaningful minutes, it can pay dividends in the future.

The tools that Miller are equipped with are the reason for short, but existing career in the NBA. At 6’9″ and extremely athletic, the right coaching can mold Miller into the modern day “3&D” perimeter player so many teams long for. Miller is only in year three of what could turn out to be a long career.

He is not nearly the player that significant work and circumstance could transform him into. The question remains that if the Lakers take a chance on him, is Byron Scott and the Lakers what Miller needs? Being out of the NBA makes that question a lot easier to answer.

With recent injuries to Julius Randle and Steve Nash, the Lakers may be granted disabled player exceptions. The opportunity to add players will be increased once the league decides to fulfill their request. Miller may be a fortunate recipient of Los Angeles’ signings. For him, the situation that he has a chance to capture is ideal.

The Lakers will not be competing for a championship, so young players have a chance at developmental minutes. Miller is in need of what the Lakers have to offer. His confidence and ability need the chance to grow, while being able to learn from a veteran like Kobe Bryant.

The next few days will allow us to monitor the Lakers’ plans. Hopefully, Quincy Miller will be the headline of those objectives.

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