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Los Angeles Lakers: Role playing free agents to watch this offseason

By Jason Reed

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 10: Wayne Ellington #20 of the Detroit Pistons drives past Ryan Arcidiacono #51 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on March 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 10: Wayne Ellington #20 of the Detroit Pistons drives past Ryan Arcidiacono #51 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on March 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Wayne Ellington

Wayne Ellington, like Trevor Ariza, was another player that the Los Angeles Lakers should have been interested in this season to help make that playoff push. However, after being traded to the Phoenix Suns and subsequently waived, Ellington instead decided to sign with the Detroit Pistons.

Ellington is set to hit the free agent market this season and is going to get a decent payday from an NBA team, although it will not be anything absurd. The Los Angeles Lakers could probably land Ellington for a two-year, $12 million contract.

Because just like the team’s lack of defense down the stretch, the Lakers lacked three-point shooting and that was one of the biggest reasons why this roster did not succeed alongside LeBron James.

James has also excelled with shooters around him and the front office went out and added the exact opposite last summer. The lack of shooting on the team was so bad that the Lakers were willing to make the ridiculous move of trading Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley for Mike Muscala.

Ellington is shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc this year and is a career 38.1 percent three-point shooter. Even if he is just a heat check guy off the bench, he opens so many doors for the Lakers offensively.

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