The Los Angeles Lakers have a long offseason ahead after being eliminated by the surging Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Although their championship dream has ceased for the season, perhaps the time off will do this team some good. The Lakers saw their title hopes vanish with a slew of injuries that bombarded the roster time and time again, and the extra rest to heal up will certainly be beneficial heading into next year.
Yet, despite the downtime, this offseason will be a busy one as the team looks to mold another title-contending roster. Among the many concerns that they must address this offseason, shoring up their shooting in free agency should be near the top of the list.
LA struggled all season to space the floor as they shot just 35.4 percent from behind the arc during the regular season and an abysmal 29.9 percent during their brief first-round stint.
Placing more shooting around LeBron James would be wise for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 NBA free agency
This ugly outside shooting was always an apparent flaw with this team, and they must now push their chips in and add some more. Of course, LeBron James has always thrived with the help of shooters from the outside throughout his career, and the team will certainly look to pair him up with several snipers to put that playmaking prowess to good use.
Although money is tight, there will be several low-cost targets set to hit the free-agent market that could certainly give LA some much-needed floor spacing ahead of next year. With that being said, here are three players the Lakers should be looking to add to their roster next season because of their sharpshooting capabilities.
The Los Angeles Lakers should target Wayne Ellington in 2021 NBA free agency
Wayne Ellington suited up for the purple and gold during the 2014-15 campaign, and the Lakers should look to bring him back for a reunion next season.
The guard had himself a career year shooting the basketball with the Detroit Pistons by knocking in 42.2 percent of his triples on a career-high six attempts per game. As a result, many pegged Ellington as a potential trade target for the Lakers ahead of last season’s trade deadline, including The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III and John Hollinger (subscription required), who previously proposed they should trade for the guard to bolster their shooting on the perimeter.
That same principle applies this offseason as the 33-year-old will officially hit unrestricted free agency. Likely not going to secure a lucrative payday, the Lakers could look to entice Ellington back to Los Angeles with promises of a key rotational role and the chance to compete for a title with one of the most prominent contenders in the association. Of course, pitching the number of looks he could get playing alongside LeBron would not hurt either.
He might not be the flashiest name on the free-agent market, but Ellington fits the billing to patch one of LA’s biggest holes in their perimeter shooting. After a career year shooting the ball from downtown, the guard will have many suitors looking to utilize his services next season, but the Lakers should look to snatch him before someone else has the opportunity.
The Los Angeles Lakers should target Ben McLemore in 2021 NBA free agency
Many contenders were looking to sign Ben McLemore after he was let go by the Houston Rockets midway through the 2020-21 season, but it was the Lakers that ultimately got his signature.
McLemore was solid during his 21 regular-season games with the club, serving his purpose by providing another perimeter shooter by canning 42-of-114 (36.8 percent) of his triples. Although his playing time fizzled out quickly in the postseason, bringing McLemore back for another trial run would be a feasible move for the Lakers from several standpoints.
Although he had the second-worst shooting season of his career this year between his time spent with the Rockets and Lakers, the guard is known for his outside shot. Just last year, he shot the long ball at an incredibly efficient 40 percent on a career-high 6.4 attempts per game with Houston, providing a reliable threat from the outside. With an entire offseason ahead to conjure up chemistry with his teammates, specifically LeBron, and get back into the swing of things rather than being thrown into the mix midseason, McLemore could find a rhythm and contribute much more efficiently.
Secondly, he likely would not command a lucrative deal for his services after what many might consider a down year for the guard. If he and the Lakers could come to terms on a team-friendly deal for another season, then the fit is rather seamless for both parties involved. Time will tell how both sides feel about sticking together for the foreseeable future.
The Los Angeles Lakers should target Tony Snell in 2021 NBA free agency
Among the many players the Los Angeles Lakers should make a run at this offseason, Tony Snell is likely not favorably high on the list for most.
However, the swingman had himself a historic season for the Atlanta Hawks by becoming the first player in NBA history to finish with a 50/50/100 slash line with a minimum of 100 attempts. Snell finished the year shooting 50.9 percent from the floor, 56.9 percent from three, and 100 percent from the free-throw line. While Snell achieved this feat while averaging just 5.9 points per game, his 3-point shooting is what stands out the most.
The 29-year-old shot an impressive 62-of-109 from the perimeter on the year, having the most efficient, albeit not the most productive, shooting season of his career. Snell is not the most household name, but he could give the Lakers a reliable shooter from the outside. In addition to that dose of sweet-shooting, Snell is a reputable defender, hypothetically giving Los Angeles another talented piece to throw at opposing wings on that end of the floor when called upon.
With Snell currently an afterthought in Atlanta’s playoff rotation, Los Angeles should look to bring him in once his contract expires after the season. Adding another household 3-and-D wing would help alleviate some of this team’s issues, especially given that historic shooting he displayed from the outside during the regular season.