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Los Angeles Lakers: Evaluating the role players through the first week

By Jon Soden

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers react after scoring during the first half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on October 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Dwight Howard #39 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers react after scoring during the first half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on October 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The disappointments:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:

Search KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) on Twitter if you want to see some fan trash talk. Laker fans have never been too fond of KCP, and the first two games of the season showed just why.

Pope went zero for nine in his first two games, taking some questionable shots, as well as missing some wide-open ones. KCP’s contract (two years, $16 million) received a lot of criticism this offseason, and Pope has done nothing to justify it thus far.

The one thing KCP should be given some credit for is his defense, so if he is able to find his offense, then he will continue to find time on the court. However, with impressive performances from Troy Daniels, and the return of Kyle Kuzma, KCP may start to see his minutes take a dip.

Alex Caruso:

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Laker fans have been asking all summer for Frank Vogel to start Alex Caruso at point guard. It really seemed like it could happen, and that Caruso would at least get a lot of minutes as a primary option off the bench.

The reason Caruso is on the disappointment list is not because of his play (because he has been solid), but rather by the disappointment with his lack of playing time. Caruso has not played a single second in the first half of any of the first three games. He also did not play opening night against the Clippers (coach’s decision).

Things are not looking up for Caruso, either. This week, Caruso was the third point guard on the depth chart, behind starter Avery Bradley, and Quinn Cook. This is with Rajon Rondo injured, who Frank Vogel says will start quite a few games this season when he returns. This places Caruso as the number four point guard, where he will not see much action.

Since its the regular season, Caruso will still get some opportunities. Hopefully, he is able to make the most of them so he can work his way into the rotation come playoff time.

Quinn Cook: 

Quinn Cook looked very impressive in his first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, but it has not yet translated into the regular season.

The one thing that the Los Angeles Lakers need Cook to do is knock down open shots. It is the reason that Cook is in the league and the reason he has played big postseason minutes when he was with the Warriors.

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Cook just has not been able to find his shot yet, and without much else to offer, has been ineffective. They will definitely start dropping, but hopefully, it is not too late. With Rajon Rondo returning next week, Cook might lose a large portion of his minutes.

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