Los Angeles Lakers: 2018 NBA Draft checklist for potential selections
By Jason Reed
3. Consistent free-throw shooting/Ability to draw fouls
Another offensive restriction for the Los Angeles Lakers last season was the ability to get to the charity stripe and make the free throws once the team got there. Free throws are a huge facet of today’s game and the Lakers may never be successful if the team can’t collectively get better at shooting free throws.
Granted, the young core will progress together and the free throw percentage will likely rise as a result. However, the team should still be looking to add someone that can get to the line and capitalize on the free points.
In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers did not struggle to heavily in getting to the line last year. Overall, the team ranked eighth in the league in total free throw attempts, averaging 23.3 attempts per game. It was making the free throws that were the challenge. Los Angeles had the worst free throw percentage in the league last year, making just 71.4 percent.
Five current players on the roster attempted at least 70 free throws last season: Lonzo Ball (71), Josh Hart (94), Kyle Kuzma (208), Brandon Ingram (282) and Julius Randle (425). Not a single one of those mentioned shot above 72 percent from the line. Ball shot 45.1 percent from the line. Some college prospects that can help in that regard are:
- Keita Bates-Diop — Ohio State
- Jalen Brunson — Villanova
- Khyri Thomas — Creighton
- Gary Trent Jr. — Duke
Notice some familiar names?