Los Angeles Lakers: 3 former players who could help the team

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Louis Williams #23 and Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers react after a scoring play against the Phoenix Suns in the second half during the NBA game at Staples Center on January 3, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Suns 97-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

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3. De’Andre Hunter

The best player on the 2019 college basketball national champion Virginia Cavaliers, De’Andre Hunter was part of the Lakers for maybe an hour on NBA Draft night before he was officially traded to the New Orleans Pelicans (as part of the Anthony Davis deal), who then traded him again that night to the Atlanta Hawks.

Hunter has been impressive in his rookie year, averaging 12.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as Atlanta’s starting small forward. He’s making 35.5 percent of his 3-pointers and plays good defense, a trademark of every player to come out of Virginia recently.

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The Lakers needed to unload that No. 4 lottery pick to get Davis, but they certainly wouldn’t object if they could somehow get Hunter suited up in an L.A. uniform and not just an L.A. draft hat.

Standing 6’7″ and weighing 225 pounds, Hunter is a solid, polished young player who could fill a “3-and-D” role on the wing for the Lakers.

He’s built to help a team that may find itself needing to slow down Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Giannis Antetokounmpo in order to win a championship in 2020.

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