What precisely is a strength turned into a weakness if insanity is defined as doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different outcome? The Los Angeles Lakers were the best description of that action in 2023–2024.
The Lakers are setting themselves up to play to their strengths after passing on using one of their most effective tools, and a free agent might aid them in doing so.
The Lakers had the eighth-best three-point field goal percentage in the NBA in 2023–2024. Los Angeles was dead last in attempts per 100 possessions and ranked No. 28 in three-point field goal attempts per game, even though they were in the top 10 in a crucial statistical category.
A free agent who can assist the Lakers heal from this self-inflicted wound has been identified by Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz: McDermott, Doug
“Los Angeles should be aggressive in trying to improve the roster via trade this summer, with an eye on opening up a roster spot and some money to sign a player like McDermott.”
That’s an intriguing concept that might work out well for the Lakers in 2024–25.
It makes some sense for the Lakers to sign Doug McDermott.
One of the top three-point shooters of his generation is McDermott, 32. With a career three-point field goal percentage of 41.0, he is among the top 25 players of all time. He has hit at least 40 percent from distance in all but one of the seasons from 2017–18.
Despite a sharp drop in playing time the previous season, McDermott still finished at 41.0 percent, matching his career high.
McDermott averaged 10.2 points per game and 17.9 points per 36 minutes during the not-too-distant 2022–23 campaign. When the ball comes his way, he’s willing and ready to try three-point field goals, and he shoots them incredibly well.
Although it’s conceivable that McDermott might have trouble obtaining regular playing time in Los Angeles, his skill set undoubtedly lends itself to a flexible role.
The Lakers would give their forward spots more depth if they signed McDermott. As things stand, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James, Dalton Knecht, and Rui Hachimura will play the majority of the minutes that are available at the 3 and 4.
But having a shooter like McDermott may be helpful in the event of an injury, since the Lakers are familiar with how rapidly rotations can lose important players.
In this case, the question is if the Lakers would truly be prepared to give up a defensive specialist like Cam Reddish in order to give McDermott a chance. To be honest, it doesn’t seem like the most plausible course of events.
Still, it’s hard not to find it intriguing that the Lakers might genuinely be willing to embrace the necessity of making three-point shots instead of being reluctant to do so.
Leave a Reply