The Lakers‘ five additions in free agency were targeted for speed, defense and shooting, writes Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. New head coach Darvin Ham is determined to bring a fresh approach to a team that finished in the bottom third of the league in both offensive and defensive rating last season. All five players who were introduced at today’s press conference talked about how they will blend into that system.
“I think I can fit on any team,” said former Warrior Juan Toscano-Anderson. “I think I can guard one through five. I’ll do whatever it takes to win, and when I say whatever, I mean it. I’ll dive over scorer’s tables. I’ll rebound. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Along with a renewed emphasis on defense, L.A. hopes its free agency moves will provide increased spacing for its star players. Ex-Spur Lonnie Walker is coming off a season where he connected at just 31.4% from three-point range, but he vows to be better.
“Last year, you can look at the percentages, but I kid you not: Leave me open, we’re going to see what’s happening,” Walker said. “I’m honing into what I got to get better on, and I’m not just strengthening my weakness but I’m strengthening my strengths as well. So, I’m ready to show everyone what I’m about.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Free agent point guard Darren Collison worked out for the Lakers again today, tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Collison, who was at a mini-camp with the team last month, is interested in returning to the NBA at age 34.
- Malik Monk‘s long friendship with De’Aaron Fox played an important role in his decision to sign with the Kings, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Monk and Fox have been friends since high school and they were backcourt partners at Kentucky. “They speak all the time,” a source told Anderson. “They’re still in their college group chat, so they speak every day. Those guys are real brothers, so I’m excited for them both.”
- Clippers star Kawhi Leonard hasn’t been cleared to play 5-on-5, but he continues to make progress in his return from an ACL injury, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk said on “NBA Today” (video link). Newly signed John Wall will compete with Reggie Jackson for the starting point guard spot, Youngmisuk adds.
The clippers trainer going to be a busy person next year.
Collison probably missed out on at least 30M by leaving the NBA.
Kawhi should’ve missed out on at least that much with load management and just sitting an entire season. Funny how the world works
I’d love to see the clippers make a big splash trade.
They have all these 15-8mil deals, Morris, Reggie, Zubac, Kennard, Powell and Covington.
However they do lack in draft picks. They don’t have first round pick they can trade until 2017.
As a Sixers fan I’d love nothing more than Tobias Harris, Mattise Thybulle and a second round pick or two for Marcus Morris and Luke Kennard.
I’d take that every day of the week.
Not sure if the clippers would be that keen but they could be. Thybulle would give them another elite defender and Harris would give them another go to scoring option.
Maybe roll the dice on Micheal Porter Jr if he’s even available?Marcus Morris, Luke Kennard and 2 seconds for Micheal Porter Jr.
Clippers with Wall PG Kawhi Porter Jr as the core.
Gives them another solid scorer and young star to build around after Kawhi and PG.
Nuggets might want to add Morris for his defence, and Kennard for his impact off the bench plus they get back picks. Means they aren’t risky Porter getting injured again after giving him that massive contract.
Lastly and most unrealistically, PG and Luke Kennard for Kevin Durant and Seth Curry.
The defence of Kawhi, with the scoring of KD shesssh. Clippers also with Wall Powell Morris RoCo etc etc would be stacked.
Nets, I know the deal seems crazy but imagine building around Simmons and PG. The defence would be phenomenal, Kennard on the wing for spacing, you’d need to trade Kyrie for a big but it would be looking good
Pass on Morris and Kennard. Kennard for Thybulle, Korkmaz, and Shake/Joe okay. But don’t waste Tobias and his contract on Marcus Morris.
Nah I’d make the deal.
Tobias last season gave us 17-7-3 off 14 shots, that’s taking in the fact most of the season he was the second or third option.
Expect next season for him to have around 10-12 shots per game, which for him, hasn’t happened since he was at the magic.
His numbers will drop off.
Morris is more use to being a role player with less shots. Last year he averaged 15-4-2 on 13 shots per game. Year before that on about 10 shots per game he put up 13-4-1 and shot 47% from 3.
So offensively he would be a better fit, because he takes less shots and is proven to be effective on less shots.
Defensively it’s not even close Morris would be much better. He can play 1 on 1, can switch well and has that physicality needed for the post season.
Then lastly Morris is born and raised in Philly, we have a championship contending side and he doesn’t have a ring to his name. I think he would give it everything he had to win if we got him.
That’s just Morris over Harris, Kennard would be a huge addition for our bench. Can come on a knock down shots, knock down threes and provide some impact which we lacked. Don’t need Thybulles defence as much with House coming over, he’s a good enough defender
Nugs aren’t giving up Porter for Morris and Kenard.
No I didn’t think so just some examples.
Clippers should be happy with what they have currently but I think they be on the look out for another big name addition if the chance pops up
Yeah clips are loaded
How could any team not have Reggie Jackson starting for them in October ?
Lakers dont need more guards. What is with them needing to add bigs and guards they dont need multiple years in a row…they need a 3 and D wing and a scoring/spacing 4 off the bench
They had both (KCP and Kuzma) but decided to trade them for Westbrook. Smh
Don’t remind us LAL fans of that. Lol. It very much hurts till this very day.
They had Bazemore and Ariza (both 3 and D wings) and Melo (a scoring spacing 4) not that long ago as I recall it didn’t work out.
They already replaced Bazemore with Troy Brown. And they’re more playmaking/defensive wings that can potentially shoot at times than 3 and d guys…Melo played well for them, and is still an option
Bazemore and Ariza are both washed and Melo is a liability on defense
But that doesnt matter as much around defenders, and he played well for them last year. Neutral net rating. 1 of the options to replace him signed with the Nets. There are a couple of others still put there, but he wouldnt be a poor decision to give them scoring/spacing off the bench
Collison is better than any backup point the lakers have
As long as he is in game shape. Then Yes. But obviously he was rusty this past season after not playing for more than 2 years. Let’s see if he still has something left in the tank.
The Clips are nit making a trade until the deadline.