Los Angeles Lakers: Grading first 4 signings of 2021 NBA Free Agency

Grades for Wayne Ellington’s free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers

Wayne Ellington played in 65 games with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2014-15 season, but his stint this time around should be much more memorable.

The biggest positive attribute that the guard brings to the table is shooting—incredibly efficient shooting, at that. Averaging 9.6 points per game this past season, Ellington shot the basketball at 44.1 percent from the field, including 42.2 percent from 3-point territory. The latter was the second most efficient mark in his career, but he was beyond productive by heaving six long-range attempts per contest. As mentioned with Bazemore and Ariza, shooting was a key piece to the puzzle for the Lakers, and they got one of the more underrated shooters on the market.

Ellington will make an immediate impact with his electric 3-point shooting, getting no shortage of open looks offensively created from the pristine playmaking of James and Westbrook. Having a lethal shooter like Ellington camped out on the perimeter is exactly what the Lakers needed, and this signing is only made sweeter as it comes on a minimum deal in NBA free agency. He might not have been the flashiest target for LA, but Ellington helps patch one of the team’s biggest needs, and he should make himself right back at home rather quickly.

Wayne Ellington Signing Grade: A