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Lakers are reportedly exploring more options at center

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While I don’t think Trezz, Kuz, and THT can continue to put up 23.0, 19.0, and 13.3 ppg like they did the last three games, I do think they are capable of putting up more than the 13.8, 11.5, and 7.2 ppg they did the first half of the season, a 77% increase.

While their increased productivity is partly due to their own performance, a big part of it is how the adjustments in the offense has optimized each of their abilities to score. So what could be a reasonable expectation? Maybe 21.0. 17.0 and 11.0, which would still be over a 50% increase.

The Lakers have adjusted the system to fit their talents of the Bench Big Three rather than just asking them to fix into a system designed speciflically to optimize LeBron and AD. In a way, we’re playing more of a Jazz type egalitarian offensive scheme instead of a traditional superstar driven offensive approach.

The other question is what will the return of AD affect things. Right now, Morris seems to be playing well at the four and Jones doing a fine job at the five. AD’s return would certainly solve the starters woe’s of being the lowest scoring starting lineup in the league. And Gasol is likely to be replaced by somebody.

At any rate, the Bench Big Three is something the Lakers need to hang their hat on. In addition to 3-point and PIP differentials, superior bench play can be another way for the Lakers to beat teams, especially those like Brooklyn who lack quality depth.

5 Things: The New Look Lakers

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When the word “flurry” doesn’t suffice because the NBA trade season was more like a Nor’Easter of player movement that scarcely was able to keep pace with the number of big time extensions doled out you just gird your loins and ride it out. When the dust settled this morning, for the most part, I figured now would be a good time to write about these new-look Los Angeles Lakers. I have to preface this by saying I liked all of the moves we made, they all made sense in terms of our team identity and skill set. In short…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79U18crTnBI
  1. Dennis Schroder: This guy is a perfect fit for everything we’re doing these days. Solid scorer, solid passer, tough as nails and getting better. The best thing, in my opinion, about this signing is that it adds another dynamic isolation scorer/play-maker to the roster that over relies on the brilliance of LeBron James with the ball in his hands and the scoring prowess of Anthony Davis. Getting Schroder gives us a legitimate 3rd option when both aforementioned players are on the court and a solid 1st option should they both be on the bench. His defense is solid, maybe not spectacular but on our squad you just need to out the effort in and the results will bear out. In a familiar theme this off-season he also brings a ton of grit to the team, as well. While he’s not the passer that Rajon Rondo is he’s a capable PG who hits the open man and creates offense simply off his penetration into the lane.
  2. Montrezl Harrell. Grit defines this guy. Trez is all energy all the time, while he had a disappointing Bubble showing (likely why he was available at the price he was) there’s a reason why he’s the reigning 6th Man of the Year. He plays hard, does all the little things and can play the 4 or 5. While not an outside threat Trez is a great finisher and will be a solid pick and roll partner for Dennis Schroder and James. Personally I’m pretty excited about this pickup, I love gritty hard-nosed players and Harrell checks all those boxes.
  3. Wes Matthews. A great pickup to address scoring off the bench. With Kyle Kuzma’s shot firmly lodged in the “streaky” category (along with Alex Caruso) the Lakers did themselves right picking up a shooter of Matthews’ caliber. While not one of the legendary marksmen in the modern NBA, Wes is a capable scorer and solid defender. That fits perfectly into what our bench needs and we have an even better backup for LeBron than we did previously. Wes is still coming back from a significant Achilles, as evidenced in his below-average season last year, and could be a huge addition if he can get back any of his pre-injury mojo.
  4. This one just dropped, Markieff Morris. ‘Kieff earned a spot in the heart of Laker fans with his solid showing against Houston and contributions throughout the Bubble playoffs. Knows his role, plays his role and does well in his role and that’s no small thing in the modern NBA. With Morris back in the fold (and I realize he’s not necessarily a ‘new-look Laker’ but this being his first full season qualifies, in my humble opinion) the Lakers bring back one of the key cogs in our small ball lineup. Great pickup by Rob and Co.
  5. Marc Gasol. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Gasol brothers. Love their skill set, love their approach to the game and they’re both winners at every level of the game. While we may not be getting the Memphis ‘grit and grind’ version of the younger Gasol we’re certainly getting a rugged tough interior defender who can handle the likes of Jokic and other rugged, skilled big men in the game. His ability to can threes makes him the perfect fit alongside AD and LBJ and with guys like Harrell and Morris on the squad we won’t need huge minutes from Marc. Save him for the playoffs along with James and any other vet that needs to be eased into the season.

The return of KCP certainly gets honorable mention but it’s not like Laker fans are unfamiliar with what he brings to the table. Alfonzo McKinnie brings in another certifiable defense oriented small forward and for all this we still have Kuzma, Caruso and THT on the roster meaning we’ve not utterly dismissed the value of home grown talent. All in all, for the amount of time everyone had to prepare and the small window within which all of these deals happened I think the Laker front office deserves an A-/B+ for these moves. A better grade may be retroactively rewarded based on the outcome.

Go Lakers.