The Los Angeles Lakers just made a major gamble by signing Dion Waiters. Yes, we know he’s capable of scoring in bunches but he’s always had some character issues and fas struggled to stay focused.
And with the team already clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2013, you just know the Lakers aren’t going to take anything for granted.
Thus, this team is reportedly still looking to add another shooter even amid Waiters’ arrival, as per Shams Charania’s most recent report:
“The Lakers are still holding out the option of potentially adding a shooter down the line. They worked out J.R. Smith as well on Monday.”
"This could be Waiters' final opportunity here."
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on the Lakers' agreement to sign Dion Waiters. pic.twitter.com/MAKUoLb4Yl
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 6, 2020
But with the buyout and free-agent market moving quite slowly, which players could they actually pursue? which shooter could make them legitimately better? which scorer is worth waiving one of their players? Let’s break it down:
Nik Stauskas
Nik Stauskas was supposed to become one of the greatest shooters ever. Needless to say, that didn’t happen, and he’s not even in the league anymore.
However, we’re talking about a true sniper whose potential is still there but that was never put in a position to actually succeed in the league.
He’s a career 35% shooter from beyond the arc with 6.8 points 1.2 triples per game, so perhaps his resume isn’t exactly impressive, but he’s definitely worth the risk.
Allen Crabbe
Allen Crabbe can score with ease. He’s a dynamic, versatile scorer, although he’s struggled with efficiency throughout his career.
Crabbe should still be in the league but the fact that he was vastly overpaid during his last contract took a toll on the way people think about him right now.
Obviously, he didn’t do his part by shooting just 30% from beyond the arc this season, but he’s a pure scorer that could certainly help. His career averages of 9.1 points and 1.6 three-pointers per game on 38% back him up.
Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas is craving to be back out there and just hoop. He’s already said that he’s eager to come back to the league and prove everybody wrong.
Obviously, he’s got a history with LeBron James that could make things kind of complicated, but he’d definitely look forward to burying the hatchet and start over.
Thomas was once one of the fiercest scorers in the league and that wasn’t even so long ago. He’s struggled with injuries but is just too good not to be in the NBA and he was shooting 41% from three this season. Also, he’s a career 18.1 point-per-game scorer with 1.9 threes a night.
J.R Smith
The Lakers already worked out J.R Smith but eventually decided to go with Dion Waiters. However, he’s still on the table as a potential reinforcement along the way.
Of all of the players mentioned in this article, Smith is the only one that’s not a liability in the defensive end, although you know his antics are going to get in the way rather sooner than later.
Even so, Smith already knows what it’s like to play next to LeBron and what he expects from everybody around him. He’s the perfect guy to make the best out of him, and he’s a career 37% three-point shooter. Also, he’s averaged 12.5 points and 2.0 three-pointers per his career.
Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford should be in the league. There’s just not a believable reason as to why he’s not signed despite being one of the best pure scorers we’ve ever seen.
We’re talking about a guy that put up 51 points the last time he was out there and that has been a certified bucket for over a decade, averaging 14.6 points and 1.7 triples per game.
Crawford could also take some pressure off of LeBron’s shoulders with his playmaking ability, even if he’s not a good defender, so he’s definitely worth a chance, even if his career 34% from deep isn’t exactly efficient.
Next
3 Reasons Why The Sixers Should Trade Ben Simmons If They Don’t Win A Championship
Build The Perfect All-Time Lakers Starting Five
Zion Williamson Is The Real Genetic Freak
