The Los Angeles Lakers have recently picked up their form but have a 16-12 record so far this season. They’re the only team in the top 10 of the West with a negative point differential, showing that the team desperately needs a shake-up to give them the jolt they need on the court to become a consistent winner that’s fighting to earn a top-four seed by the end of the season.
The team’s backup guard play has been incredibly questionable, with both D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent struggling to consistently produce offensively. Russell is also a below-average defender while Vincent shines better on that end. But both players need a bridge between their skills this season, especially if either one gets traded and wounds up opening a roster spot for the franchise.
There’s a guard available in free agency still who would transform the Lakers into a consistent franchise after years of peaks and troughs.
Dennis Smith Jr. Is Who The Lakers Need
Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2017 NBA Draft with the ninth pick. He had a great rookie year before losing his spot in the rotation to two guards the Mavericks drafted in 2018 – Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson.
Smith Jr. would wind up getting traded to the New York Knicks in a deal to bring Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. to Dallas. Smith Jr. left the Mavs having averaged 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists for the franchise in 101 games.
He showed flashes of being a solid scorer and excellent defender for his position, although his shooting motion would still scare away potential scouts and coaches. He never thrived on the Knicks and would become a free agent in 2021 He played for the Detroit Pistons, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Brooklyn Nets in consecutive seasons before going unsigned this summer.
He’s trying to get another shot in the NBA and is currently grinding in the G League, but it’s hard to climb out of that at 27 years old. His best athletic days might be behind him, as his numbers dropped from his rookie season to 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season.
He has shown improvement as a jump-shot maker, perimeter defender, and playmaker, skills that the Lakers could use right now. DSJ’s jump shot might be better now than it was but it still isn’t the level of scorer they want.
Instead, he could be an easy solution for the team’s fluctuating POA defenders. In addition, he’d be a better playmaking guard option than Austin Reaves and could split time with LeBron James on the court.
The Lakers are currently 4-1 in their last five games, primarily carried to those wins by their league-best defense under a coach considered to be an offensive specialist. Defense might be the best way for the Lakers to maximize their season, and picking Smith Jr. off the free agency market is a great option.
He offers many qualities the Lakers need and is a less-expensive version of both Russell and Vincent. While the offense may continue struggling, a backcourt defense with Smith Jr. and Max Christie would be suffocating for opponents. Nonetheless, adding more help is always a good move, with Smith Jr. a risk-free pickup from the buyout market.
The Lakers will have to trade some of their existing guards to make the requisite roster spot for Smith Jr. to get offered a new deal. But he might just be worth the investment if they’re willing to rescue a proven NBA veteran like Smith Jr from the G League, as he’s currently signed with Wisconsin Herd.
He will add wins, is considered a good locker-room presence, and will be motivated to maximize his opportunity as a Laker.
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