I’m hoping the fact we gave Boogie a championship ring and the opportunity to play with Anthony Davis will result in his joining the Lakers. While I’ve been lobbying for the Lakers to make a move to add a modern defensive center who can both protect the rim and defend the three, I think any trade we make at this point in time has to prioritize volume 3-point shooting.
3-point shooting is also the reason why I am supportive of the Lakers adding Cousins as their 3rd center, which they will be able to do starting Wednesday, when the prorated vet min salary drops enough to fit under our hard cap. Boogie would immediately become the Lakers second best volume 3-point shooter as he averaged 4.6 threes with the Rockets, Only LeBron shot more threes than that with the Lakers. Kuz even only takes 4.2 threes per game.
Right now, Boogie’s potential as a volume stretch five makes him the perfect fit. He fills the short term need for size and shooting with AD out but playing alongside AD could be the perfect situation for him when AD returns as Davis can protect him defensively and Boogie can create spacing for LeBron and AD to get into the paint.
What this means is the Lakers can offer Boogie a starting center role, which should be the clincher for him joining the team. Sometimes karma works wonder. Boogie signed with the Rockets because he didn’t tnink he would get enough minutes with the Lakers. Now the worm has turned and he’s the better fit with AD than Gasol, who will go to the bench. When teams go small, then Harrell will play the five.
It’s the smartest plan. Players will agree. Games coming soon.