Lakers 2017-18 Guard Rotation (S.O.S.)

[yinoma2001]

GONE: Lou, DLO, Swaggy P (47.4 ppg, 7 3PM, 9 APG); also gone are Ennis/Calderon/Huertas.

This trio represented 45% of the team’s total PPG, 60% of team’s 3 pointers for the entire season, and 43% of the team’s total assists).

REMAINING: Lonzo (rookie), JC (14.7/3/2.6), Nwaba (6/3.2/.7), Hart (rookie)

Areas of concerns:

1. Scoring: I don’t think it’s guaranteed that Lonzo is a double figure scorer as a rookie. JC, if he’s still here, may see an uptick in his scoring, but won’t be enough. We will badly need some help as we our best iso creator is JC, and that’s not saying much. We lose the ability of the Lou/DLO/Swaggy trio to get absurdly hot and score 30+ individually a game. The FA market is pretty bare in terms of replacing scoring. Patty Mills could help but he’s too expensive.

2. 3 point shooting: He may be able to make up some of the lost 3 point production, but it’s not a given either. DLO, a good college 3 point shooter is a good benchmark for Lonzo. JC had a down year 3% wise. I think he will be around a 32-33% 3 point shooter. We have enough reps from him now. Lonzo, I think may be around a 33-34% shooter his first year. Nwaba is a lost case for now and Hart, hopefully a mid 30s shooter. But aside from Lonzo, we are losing that spacing from 3 that this trio provided. Ingram/Jules shot under 30% from 3s, so they must absolutely improve their 3 point shooting. Brook Lopez may be our best shooter on the team, but from a guard standpoint, we are losing a lot of firepower.

3. ISO scoring: Lou was the master of this. DLO couldn’t really break down guys off the dribble, but his posting skills will be missed. Lonzo/Hart aren’t known to be iso scorers.

4. Assists: I think Lonzo will help this team improve tremendously. I hope he can help set a culture of passing and unselfishness. We had several black holes on offense with Lou/Swaggy, and DLO oftentimes called his number too often. JC remains an iso-heavy player but hopefully Lonzo can snap him out of it.

5. Defense: Lou/DLO/Swaggy were a poor defending trio. So not much lost on that end.

In conclusion: we are really going to be missing out on scoring, 3 point shooting, and iso scoring from the lost trio. The FA market has some options, but with a likely 1 year punt provision for all FAs, this may be tough to recoup. At the least, I hope we can find as many 3/D players. Brook will bring some more consistent scoring (20ppg scorer) but he is a center, so if our projected starting lineup (Lonzo/JC/BI/Jules/Brook) is out there, he will be game-planned by teams and often doubled teamed. If we can’t get strong scorers, the hope is that we can get guys who can hit 3s and play some modicum of defense.

My suggestions would be to offer 1 year deals to Darren Collison and Arron Afflalo. Both are no longer prime players, but possible 1 year rentals who can help our guard rotation. We are very green and young in a position that is getting more and more competitive in the West.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[yinoma2001]

Would love Patty Mills, but will probably want a long term deal and will get 11-12m/year.

Livingston doesn't space the floor for us, but is a steady presence. Not sure we can get a 1 year deal from him either.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Four Decade Bandwagon]

Nicely thought out. As you point out there is a dire need to fill some roster spots with contributors not just placeholders IMO. Going to be tough to sign quality with only 1 year deals.

I'm OK with the Collison, Afflalo or Ariza suggestions I have seen.

Best options I have seen speculated is trading for Patrick Beverly and if Danny Green became available. Pretty much takes care of all your problem areas.

[Tanlentueux]

[epak]

Interested to see who the Lakers fill out the guard rotation with. Glad we only have to wait till Sunday to see who we're targeting. One thing though, I'm not down for SGs in PG bodies.

That being said, I'm glad BLo will be taking care of some of the scoring and 3PT load.

[defense]

I know most people think keeping Russell would have made us better off but I really, really think he or Randle had to go. These guys were way too comfortable and were not putting out the effort that was needed. Everything you said is correct in regards to scoring and 3 point shooting but it had to be done. You know how coaches are always talking about building a culture... it had to start somewhere.

With that said we definitely need a SG who can shoot and preferably one who can play defense too. Unless Ingram and Randle make a big improvement Lonzo won't have anyone to pass to.

[yinoma2001]

Also an underrated need is a secondary creator at the guard position. Lonzo flourished off ball with Aaron Holiday running "PG" a lot at UCLA. I have little confidence that JC or Hart is that kind of player. That kind of guard is more difficult to find IMO. Livingston would match that concept. Or, we can play a "PG" next to Lonzo who guards the SG.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[epak]

[yinoma2001]

[yinoma2001]

Man, this is putting an inordinate amount of pressure on Lonzo. If you don't put a "safety valve" secondary creator/ballhandler next to him, he could have some struggles running the team. He's 19.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[greenfrog]

Lou was the master of high screen and rolls. They just looked like isos because he never used the screen.

3PT Shooting and defense are #1 and #2 to me. We can get isos and scoring from Randle, Ingram and Clarkson. Lopez as well, who's very efficient on post-ups.

Also, why is it assumed Ennis is gone?

[yinoma2001]

[justsomelakerfan]

Areas of concern: everything
_________________
Austin Reaves
Tweeter: @sarah_dotbiz

[yinoma2001]

[30]

Dion Waiters I guess can be a potential short term pickup who can create his own shot. Maybe hope McLemore develops outside of SAC.

[greenfrog]

[AFireInside619]

[greenfrog]

Lopez will be the leading scorer on the team. You can book that (if no George). Lonzo's entry passing is mesmerizing. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a career year.

[CervantesRises]

[CervantesRises]

[yinoma2001]

[CervantesRises]

[nickuku]

We should take a hard look at Tim Hardaway Jr.
_________________
Don't let perfect be the enemy of good

[lakerlove123]

[King Randle]