3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James
By Dalton Sell
3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James: Ben McLemore
After being bought out by the Houston Rockets in 2021, Ben McLemore swiftly signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for a chance to compete for a championship. Things did not quite pan out as McLemore hoped, as LA fell short in their pursuit to defend their title and the guard departed in free agency. After spending this past season with the Portland Trail Blazers, McLemore will test free agency once again, and a reunion with LeBron James and the Lakers would be quite intriguing.
In addition to defense, another box that the Lakers need to check off this offseason is adding more three-point shooting. The Lakers shot just 34.7 percent from 3-point land during the regular season, which ranked 22nd in the entire NBA and was obviously a glaring flaw.
They need to add quality outside shooters this offseason, and McLemore would fit the billing. The guard has knocked down 36.3 percent of his career three-pointers on 4.3 attempts per game in nine years, which is serviceable and has helped him make a living. McLemore’s sharpshooting would help him fit like a glove with the Lakers, as he would thrive due to the open looks he would receive alongside LeBron James.
Financially, McLemore will likely be within LA’s range in free agency. Despite a solid year with the Blazers where he averaged 10.2 points and shot 36.2 percent from three, it would be hard to see the 29-year-old command anything significant in free agency.
Perhaps the thought of reuniting with James in Los Angeles could be an enticing thought for the former Laker as he ponders his next steps. While bringing McLemore in would not be a seismic signing by LA, it could help lessen the concerns surrounding the team’s subpar three-point shooting to some degree.