Feb 1, 2020; Sacramento, California, USA: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Arguably the biggest story of the 2021 NBA offseason has been the seismic changes made by the Los Angeles Lakers.
They underwent a massive roster reconstruction, which kicked off with their blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook, the former MVP winner. The electrifying Westbrook will join LeBron James and Anthony Davis to form a star-powered trio that can hang with the best of them across the league. Still, this unit needed some complementary pieces, and the front office did a stellar job by adding several household names like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Deandre Jordan, and Trevor Ariza, among many others.
The Lakers are loaded heading into the new season, and their lineup is mostly set, but the one question that remains revolves around their starting shooting guard. They have many options to consider, but who exactly will hit the floor alongside Westbrook in the backcourt is uncertain at this point in time. With that being said, let us break down the options for head coach Frank Vogel to consider starting at the two-guard in 2021-22.
Shooting guard options for the 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers: Kent Bazemore
Kent Bazemore was among LA’s new free-agent acquisitions, and the veteran will be brought up in the conversation to start. Although he has primarily been utilized as a second unit spark during his career to this point, the 32-year-old could be a feasible option to be the opening night starter if he impresses in training camp or the preseason.
The most important attribute for the position will be the outside shooting, and Bazemore just had the most efficient shooting season of his career last year. Hitting a career-high 40.8 percent of his triples with the Golden State Warriors, the veteran proved to be a massive boost off the bench to give that team a spark. Some will say that Bazemore’s lights-out shooting year was just a fluke, considering he has hit just 35.6 percent of his career 3-pointers, but that cannot be said for certain until he takes the court this season.
In addition to his outside shooting, Bazemore would also help shore up the team’s defensive play. Having lost both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso in the offseason, the Lakers will need their new guards to replace the defense they provided, and Bazemore fits the bill. While he stands at just 6-foot-4, the swingman possesses an impressive 7-foot wingspan that has allowed him to defend multiple positions during his career. That versatility could undeniably help the Lakers.
Bazemore would bring solid two-way play to LA’s starting five, but he will likely be coming off the bench to begin the year. He will likely be the team’s Swiss Army Knife in the second unit, providing a spark whenever he checks into the game.
especially if he takes the leap fans have been hoping for and he starts.</a></p>
<p>Tucker has primarily been a bench piece for the Lakers over the past two years, making just five starts in 71 regular-season appearances. In that time, he has averaged 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, not exactly the most eye-catching numbers. The biggest knock on the guard is his lackluster outside shot, where he has shot 28.5 percent for his career. His shooting fails in comparison to someone like Monk or Bazemore, which could be problematic in a lineup that needs spacing alongside James and Westbrook.</p>
<p>At 20-years-old, Tucker has much room to grow still, and he seems best-suited to play a bench role once more this season. His fit with LA’s top players is not seamless, and he would provide a solid presence in the second unit. Still, The Athletic’s Bill Oram, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick (subscription required) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/03/lakers-weighing-starting-shooting-guard/"https://theathletic.com/2848702/2021/09/27/superstar-shopping-lebron-russell-westbrook-and-the-lakers-summer-of-recruiting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted that Tucker would compete for the starting spot in camp.</a> If the guard impresses the coaches, potentially by showing off an improved outside shot, then he could be worthy of taking a massive step forward and being named the starter.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/03/lakers-weighing-starting-shooting-guard/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Wayne Ellington </a>
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could argue that Ellington will be the most important of the bunch.</a></p>
<p>Of course, Ellington is a near-elite shooter in today’s game, and he is coming off the second most efficient shooting season in his career. He shot 42.2 percent on six attempts from behind the arc with the Detroit Pistons last season. Shooting like that will make Ellington a perfect match for the Lakers as he will be a reliable threat on the perimeter for James, Davis, and Westbrook. There are questions about how he will hold up defensively, but with that shooting prowess he possesses, it is worth the gamble.</p>
<p>The Lakers were in the bottom half in 3-point percentage last season, and they certainly improved in that area by adding names like Anthony, Monk, and Ariza, but Ellington is the shooter that could be the difference-maker at the end of the day. Only time will tell, but out of the handful of options to start at shooting guard for the revamped Lakers, Ellington is their best bet.</p>
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