The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2022/23 NBA season with more doubts than certainties, as they aren’t expected to compete for a spot in the Finals or even for a second-round series in the 2023 playoffs. The Purple and Gold were linked with high-profile names coming into this offseason, but so far, they have only signed role players, earning criticism from their own fans.
After a season where they lack shooting, the Lakers apparently tried to add some depth from beyond the arc, but they’ve mightily failed, assembling a team that looks pretty much like the one they had last campaign. With the latest addition of Thomas Bryant, the team makes sure to strengthen their inside game, but they won’t have many shooters as things stand now.
In recent hours, Instagram page nba_for_three shared a graphic showing the best 3-point shooters for the Lakers last season. Surprisingly, their best shooter was LeBron James, who shot 35.9% from deep, while Anthony Davis ranked last with 18.6%.
LeBron James – 35.9%
Troy Brown Jr. – 35.3%
Damian Jones – 34.5%
Austin Reaves – 31.7%
Lonnie Walker IV – 31.4%
Stanley Johnson – 31.4%
Russell Westbrook – 29.8%
Talen Horton-Tucker – 26.9%
Wenyen Gabriel – 28.6%
Thomas Bryant – 28.6%
Anthony Davis – 18.6%
In recent days, the Lakers were linked with Buddy Hield again, but nothing has happened between the Purple and Gold and the Indiana Pacers. They’re still stuck with Russell Westbrook, and reports suggest they are trying to deal him to another team. Los Angeles needs shooting, or they will have an equal or worse season next year, and nobody wants to see that.
Having no players shooting over 40% from 3-point is very serious, and it doesn’t look like the team is doing something to address and fix that situation.
