KCP, Rajon, Lance, and Javale: A Fan’s Opinion

The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James agreed to a 4 year 154 million dollar deal Monday afternoon. Quickly afterwards the Lakers signed a slew of veterans, retaining Kentavious Caldwell Pope, and added Lance Stephenson and Javale McGee to the team. They also renounced the rights to Julius Randle and brought in Rajon Rondo. In less than 24 hours the Lakers went from a young team with upside to contenders. The LeBron singing makes sense. The writing had been on the wall since Magic and Rob Pelinka took over. KCP? To me it makes sense. He’s a solid 3 & D guy who will fill his role playing next to Lebron. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get any more run-ins with the law.

But Rajon, Lance, and Javale? On the surface it doesn’t make sense. Given Lance and Lebron’s history and the fact that both Rondo and Lance can’t shoot and are ball dominant players. How do they play next to Lebron? That’s what a lot of sports writers are saying in the media and social media.

Personally I don’t think those three were brought in to play alongside Lebron.

In my opinion the projected starting line up should be:

Lonzo

KCP

Brook Lopez (if they can sign him)

Brandon Ingram

LeBron

While not exactly great shooters KCP, Ingram, and Lopez are all good, competent enough shooters that the can spread the floor for LeBron. Lonzo and Ingram both have the ability to handle the ball and will help take pressure off Lebron which I think will be the plan. For a more defensive unit, Brook could be replaced by McGee.

Where does Rondo, Lance, and Javale McGee come in? I think they were brought in to help the 2nd unit.

Rajon Rondo

The back up point guard was thin, previously being manned by G-League call up Alex Caruso. No offense to Caruso but Rajon is a massive upgrade over Caruso. Rajon isn’t the defender he used to be but he is still tough at that end. He’ll run the offense for the 2nd unit and I think be brought in late game situations.

Lance Stephenson

You could argue that the Lakers didn’t need Lance as a veteran Small Forward backup as they already had Luol Deng but I think Stephenson is a better option than Deng on both ends of the floor and adds a touch of nasty to the team, the same way Meta World Peace and Matt Barnes did and you always need a bit of nasty. The Warriors have Draymond Green.

Javale McGee

Why McGee? He averaged 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes with the Warriors last year. The Lakers backup center would have been Ivica Zubacs. He averaged 1.3 blocks per 36 minutes. While a nice young player, Zubacs didn’t exactly inspire confidence with his lack luster sophomore year. I don’t blame the Lakers for wanting another option. McGee will score off some lobs from Rondo, add some rebounds, and some solid rim protection for that 2nd unit. Stephenson, Hart, and Kuzma should be enough of a scoring punch to keep leads, or the game close when Lebron gets some valuable rest.

This Lakers fan thinks the signings were great signings that are underrated. They really defensively bolster that 2nd unit and if any othe starters miss games they are fairly interchangeable.

I like this squad as constructed, only hoping we are able to bring back Brook. I see some fans think you need to construct a team that can outshoot the Warriors. My question to them/you is why would you try to out shoot possibly the best jump shooting team in NBA history?

I say we are good enough to be a solid 3-4th seed in the West with 50-55 wins. If it doesn’t work out? They’re on one year deals.