Lakers Looking To Add Al-Farouq Aminu?

By Chris Walton | May 2, 2015

Feb 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Al-Farouq Aminu (7) reacts after scoring during the first half against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks’ small forward Al-Farouq Aminu may have earned himself some money this summer. Despite an early exit in the first round, Aminu didn’t go easily at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Aminu showed both offensive improvement and defensive versatility that would earn him major minutes as a team’s “3&D” small forward.

A match made in heaven would be for Aminu to consider plugging the small forward hole for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Replacing the injured Chandler Parsons, he was tasked in covering the league’s second-leading scorer and MVP candidate, James Harden. Aminu showed some great flashes, especially in their Game 4 victory. He did hold Harden to 24 points on 15 shots. Even bigger, he notched a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Mavs locked Aminu up last summer with a two-year deal, with an option which he will be declining this summer, according to TheProBasketballTalk.com.

Aminu said on Wednesday that he’d decline his option be a free agent this summer:

"“I think it makes the most sense to me,” he said. “You just look for a great fit. This year, I think I found one. Hopefully, I can do the same.”Is money important?“I would hope to think so,” Aminu said."

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The Lakers will finally have the money to entertain and intrigue a player like Aminu. As stated, he brings to the table exactly what the Lakers would wish for in small forward. He’s 24 years old, which certainly falls in line with bringing in as many young players as possible. Depending on what move is made in the NBA Draft, Aminu should be on top of the Lakers list.

On top of age, the 6’9″ Aminu can cover any of the five positions on the floor depending on the team they’re playing. Possessing this kind of range on the court is a useful tool that the Lakers can take advantage of for years. With no disrespect to Wes Johnson, Aminu would become the team’s best perimeter defender.

There’s also a chance that Aminu still has improvements that he could make going forward. With some numbers that could definitely be better, Aminu is still somewhat of a work in progress. Despite a strong series, he still has some holes in his game and lacks consistency. During the year, he shot 27.4 percent from three-point range.

While he does show versatility on defense, Aminu may never become the player to run an offense through.

Even with his short list of shortcomings, Aminu definitely offers the kind of immediate help that the Lakers could benefit from, in comparison to any 2015 draft pick. With playoff experience under his belt and proof that he can be effective, Aminu can help start to mold some of the Lakers’ future. The team must definitely decide if he’ll worthy of a contract offer soon.

The Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and even the Dallas Mavericks could again try to lock up Aminu.

The one thing working in the Lakers favor is the offer of both a mid-level or greater contract, and possibly a starting role. Backing up Chandler Parsons due to injury means that Aminu’s minutes could have easily been around his season average of 18.5 per game. You have to believe that his series wouldn’t have been close to what did this year.

All that is known is the Lakers have a chance to make a much-needed move, and Al-Farouq Aminu is there for the taking.

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