Ranking The Los Angeles Lakers’ 5 Best Players After One Month

5. Larry Nance Jr.

It seems a bit surprising, but Larry Nance Jr. may be the most underrated player on this Lakers squad. The former first-round pick has blossomed during his third season, and is paying huge dividends as part of Los Angeles’ bench unit.

What’s really stood out this season is Nance’s ability to shine on both ends of the floor. He’s been extremely efficient on offense, connecting on 60.2 percent of his field goals and scoring 7.1 points per game. To top it off, he’s playing the boards well and making life difficult for opposing scorers.

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It’s been a big year, but it’s not a total shock.

We saw spurts of this playmaking ability from Nance in the past. The Wyoming product consistently uses his elite athleticism to gain the advance in the paint, either throwing down massive dunks or making clutch blocks. The instincts inherited from his All-Star father are also apparent on game days.

Going into the season, I wouldn’t have expected Nance finding his way onto this list. However, despite coming off the bench, he’s consistently created sparks for the Lakers. Given more time for him to grow and develop his skill set, Nance should become an integral part of this roster.

FYI: It was a close contest between Nance and Timofey Mozgov for this spot. Nick Young was also considered, but he’s too inconsistent on offense and unreliable on defense.