5 Most Underrated Los Angeles Lakers Heading Into 2016-17
PG – Marcelo Huertas
I know some folks are going to scoff at this, but just hear me out. Believe it or not, Marcelo Huertas is an underrated asset for the Lakers.
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Sure, he’s an average point guard who currently sits at No. 3 on the Los Angeles depth chart. He’s only had one year in the NBA, and is on the backend of his career at 33 years of age. However, I think he brings a lot to the team off the court — and he’s a pretty solid bench player as well.
What I really like about Huertas is his veteran experience, even if all but one year of it came overseas. He’s a wily, creative playmaker who does a great job of using angles and finesse to create opportunities for his teammates. Especially with the Lakers’ young group of guards, he provides so much value as a mentor.
Last season, Huertas managed only 4.5 points, 3.4 assists and 0.5 steals per game. However, he’s fun to watch and certainly brings a unique spark off the bench.
Huertas is a great guy to have in the locker room, which is likely a big reason why the Lakers brought him back after his rookie season. I’d anticipate another quality campaign for the Brazilian, even if he only sees limited minutes behind Jose Calderon.
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