The Los Angeles Lakers' season came to an end as they were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Coming off a short offseason after winning the 2020 championship, the Lakers looked tired and fatigued all throughout the 2020-2021 campaign.
Injuries plagued the Lakers and it was a big problem for a team that heavily relied on star power. LeBron James sprained his ankle after Atlanta Hawks reserve Solomon Hill dove for a loose ball leading to the longest injury absence of his career right before the NBA Playoffs. Anthony Davis was also a victim of the injury bug as he strained his right calf during a game against the Denver Nuggets.
Aside from the injuries, the Lakers severely lacked three-point shooting, floor spacing, and offensive creativity to lessen the burden of the dynamic duo of James and Davis. Even with the Lakers owning one of the best defenses in the league, the firepower was just not enough when either one of the two stars sits out.
The Lakers traded swingman Danny Green for Dennis Schroder, hoping that he can fill the void of another shot creator and third scorer for the team. The energetic guard, however, has failed to live up to his expectations. He was not even a reliable three-point shooter, and the floor spacing became worse since Green was traded.
LeBron James is not getting any younger as he enters his 19th year . The Lakers need to do everything they can in their power to maximize LeBron's remaining years before his championship window closes. One player that they need to go all-in on this offseason is Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum. He could be a good fit alongside James and Davis, and would instantly form a scary Big 3.
Here are 3 reasons why CJ McCollum would be an ideal fit for the Lakers.
Legit No. 3 scoring option
After finishing this season with 23.1 points per game, McCollum will be the perfect third star for the Lakers as he can play off the ball and is very dangerous in isolation plays. He can get you buckets if you ever need one as he can create for himself. McCollum will thrive with LeBron as he's a terrific catch-and-shoot player, cashing in 44 percent in those types of situations this season.
We can also make a case for McCollum being the second option if LeBron does the playmaking duties full-time and just distributes the ball to his teammates. LBJ is turning 37 in December, it's safe to assume he will not carry the load in scoring as he will want to preserve his body for the NBA Playoffs.
Another playmaker and ball-handler
When LeBron got injured, the Lakers' playmaking really suffered as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso, who are not natural point guards, sometimes assumed the ball-handling and playmaking duties from Schroder. McCollum is a bonafide star as he can also handle the ball effectively. The high-scoring guard is also capable of making plays for his teammates (averaged 4.7 assists this season), which the Lakers need whenever LeBron sits for a breather.
Cold-blooded closer
With LeBron's age and Davis' constant injuries, they will sit out on games at some point during the regular season. CJ McCollum is a very underappreciated star who can take over games and is very capable of knocking down clutch buckets when needed. It was evident when Damian Lillard was out with injuries. According to NBA Advanced Stats, in his previous five elimination games, McCollum averaged 33.4 points on 50-40-90 shooting splits. What more can you ask? A player who loves pressure and big games.
The Lakers need to consider CJ McCollum.
Follow Us
Subscribe