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Los Angeles Lakers: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Carter Johnson

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Ivica Zubac and Brandon Ingram pose with jerseys with general manager Mitch Kupchak before being introduced to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Ivica Zubac and Brandon Ingram pose with jerseys with general manager Mitch Kupchak before being introduced to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas (9) and Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) reach for the ball in a NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas (9) and Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) reach for the ball in a NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Re-Signing Marcelo Huertas and Tarik Black

Speaking of the bench unit, the Lakers made sure to keep much of their current one intact, re-signing center Tarik Black to a two-year, $12.85 million deal before bringing back backup point guard Marcelo Huertas on a two-year deal.

Black got very few minutes in Byron Scott’s rotation despite being a physical center and tenacious rebounder, being glanced over in favor of veteran forward Brandon Bass, rookie forward Larry Nance, Jr. and starting center Roy Hibbert.

New head coach Luke Walton has promised him the opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation, but that task won’t be easy as he must contend with the big contract of Timofey Mozgov and the stellar play of rookie Ivica Zubac.

Huertas earned solid minutes at the backup spot in Scott’s rotation and was a sixth man and fan favorite of sorts late in the season due to his ability to facilitate the offense with his dynamic pick-and-roll skills and his wizard-like passes in fast break situations.

This season, Huertas also enters a crowded situation alongside the aforementioned Calderon and Lou Williams. However, due to Calderon and Williams’ abilities to shoot the ball, Walton may be able to play all three guards together in a dynamic small-ball lineup off of the bench.

Time will tell how Walton crafts his bench, but Huertas’ rare facilitating abilities will likely continue to make him an essential part to the success of the team’s second unit.

Next: Overall

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