UPDATE (8/3/21):
The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking to build their roster after the first day of 2021 NBA free agency, a day that saw them sign Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington Jr., and Kent Bazemore. The Lakers still seem to be interested in the Spurs’ Patty Mills, but The New York Times’ Marc Stein reports that the Lakers have some stout competition as the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets are both pursuing his services.
Another free-agent duel of interest: Carmelo Anthony is weighing interest from both the Lakers and the Knicks, league sources say.
And Golden State has joined the Lakers and Nets in the Patty Mills chase, according to @anthonyVslater
More: https://t.co/LGN9cV7Dif https://t.co/lBUWdUmeMs
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 3, 2021
Original story:
The Lakers are looking to reinforce their bench in the wake of trading for Russell Westbrook. Long story short, the Lakers need perimeter shooting. This was already a need for the Lakers last season, but now it’s even more important with the addition of Westbrook. Could the Lakers manage to find some shooters at a bargain? Possibly.
Free Agency officially starts today. Marc Stein of the New York Times reports that the lakers could be looking at signing veterans Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs, and Wayne Ellington of the Detroit Pistons.
In addition to what many regard as the inevitable return of Dwight Howard for a third go-round in Hollywood, San Antonio’s Patty Mills and Detroit’s Wayne Ellington are two prime free agents of interest for the Los Angeles Lakers as L.A. hunts for bargains (and shooters) to fill out the rest of its roster after trading for Russell Westbrook.
Mills and Ellington would both help boost perimeter shooting that the lakers didn’t have as a strength in the playoff last season. Patty Mills is a career 38.8% three point sharpshooter. The former one-time Laker Wayne Ellington is a career 38.2% three point shooter, coming off a season shooter the three ball at a 42.2% clip.
If Rob Pelinka manages to sign both of these players, chalk that up as a win for the Lakers.
