How Will the Newest Lakers Fit on the Team?

The NBA offseason is in full swing with the 2020 NBA Draft concluding recently, plus trades and free agency signings happening almost every hour.

The defending champs, the Los Angeles Lakers, wasted no time getting new recruits to the squad to aid their quest for back to back titles.

The Lakers started adding serious firepower with a trade that landed Dennis Schröder in Los Angeles. Following that, they signed veteran sharpshooter Wesley Matthews, and the news that had everyone shocked was the signing of the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell from the neighboring Clipper team.

These three players may be new to the team, but they are players who will be key in the rotation for this upcoming season.

How exactly can these players fit in with the Purple & Gold? 

Dennis Schroder

With a trade involving Danny Green and the 28th pick in the draft, the Lakers landed point guard Dennis Schröder, who had one of his best seasons this past year, really embracing his bench role with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He finished second in the sixth man of the year award voting as he averaged 18.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 4.0 assists per game. But the most notable stat for him would be his vastly improved shooting numbers. He had career-high averages in field goal percentage with 47%, and a career-high in 3-point percentage as well with 39%. 

With Schröder being added to the Lakers, he can surely add a lot more scoring whether he will start or come off the bench. He will also be relied on for his playmaking ability, as Rajon Rondo has chosen to leave the Lakers to sign with the Atlanta Hawks. With the news of Quinn Cook being waived as well, it’s looking like he will get the majority of the point guard minutes. Schröder’s improved outside shooting ability will definitely be important to the success of the Lakers as Lebron and AD will be looking for those open shooters around them to knock down open threes.

One last thing the Lakers will need from the 6-foot-1 guard would be his energy and defensive ability. He showed that he loves to defend the best guards in the league and that he can hold his own by staying in front of them and locking them down. Look for Dennis to continue this in the upcoming NBA season. 

Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell has been improving each and every year he has been in the league, and he just finished the best season of his career so far, capped off by winning the sixth man of the year award. He finished the season with game averages of 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in a little less than 28 minutes per game. 

Montrezl was the definition of energy and efficiency off the bench for the intercity rival, the Los Angeles Clippers. As he has now moved to the other side of Staples Center, he will just need to continue what he has been doing, coming off the bench, providing energy and an added scoring boost for the Lakers. He may only stand at 6-feet 7-inches, but he certainly packs a punch and is a force down low. Returning to the Lakers is Javale Mcgee, who was their starting center for most of the year, and with Dwight Howard leaving for the Sixers, Harrell will most likely get those backup center minutes that were filled by Howard. If Montrezl can be as effective or even more effective with the Lakers, then Lakers fans would surely be satisfied with this offseason acquisition. 

Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews just signed a one-year deal with the Lakers, after spending a season in Milwaukee, where he had a crucial role in helping them get the number 1 seed in the East. Wes isn’t the player he used to be with the Portland Trailblazers, but he is exactly what the Lakers need, a 3 and D wing. The 12-year NBA veteran can knock down open threes with ease, being a 38% three-point shooter in his career. This can space out the defense for Lebron, AD, and Montrezl to do their damage down low.

To add to his offensive ability, he is an underrated defender, as he has the strength, speed, and versatility to defend the best wings on the opposing team. Wes will probably fill the spot that Danny Green had this past season, as Green has been traded away as a part of the Schroder deal.

He can also add another veteran presence in the locker room as he has over 10 years of NBA experience, plus he has significant playoff experience under his belt.

The offseason is far from over, but the Lakers have been one of the winners in the first two days of free agency. With a little over a month before the new season begins, the Laker fans are already happy with how the team is looking so far.

After winning the 2020 NBA championship, so far the Purple & Gold are looking good in their quest to repeat thanks to their new additions. 

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