The Los Angeles Lakers have identified several problems with their team this season. Frank Vogel has departed just two seasons after winning the NBA title, while trade rumors regarding Russell Westbrook are already in full swing. But when it comes down to it, there are 2 things that most fans will agree that the Lakers were lacking on their roster this season, defense and shooting.
The defensive aspect can be put down to the average age of the squad, which was quite high, but the shooting was an issue thanks to the type of players recruited. The modern NBA is a shooter’s game, there simply isn’t much that teams can do if they don’t have players that can get hot from the perimeter, and as such, one of the suggestions for the Lakers this season is to acquire Bryn Forbes in free agency.
While Forbes isn’t the biggest name, the Lakers won’t be working with too much cap space, and his shooting could provide a huge boost to the offense. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report broke down the move and how it would benefit LA.
“Some might want the Los Angeles Lakers to aim higher, but they shot for the moon with the Russell Westbrook trade last offseason, and we all saw how that turned out.
“This is a back-to-basics suggestion, a return to what we know works well for a team that employs LeBron James. Shooting is paramount for L.A., and Bryn Forbes is arguably the best gunner on the market.
“The 28-year-old won’t contribute defensively, but he’s a 41.3 percent shooter from long distance for his career, and he’s more than a standstill threat. Forbes’ 2.5 points per game off screens with the Denver Nuggets ranked sixth in the league this season.”
Forbes is a career 41% three-point shooter and has averaged 10.5 points per game for the last 6 seasons in the NBA. He was a part of the championship-winning Milwaukee Bucks team last season, so he knows what it’s like to be a part of a winning culture. While bigger moves might be made, Forbes would still be a solid pickup for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
