It would be in the Los Angeles Lakers' best interest to consider signing a contributor who previously competed with the franchise.
According to a recent report, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in adding a point-of-attack defender to their new-look roster.
“The Lakers have additional roster work to do,” The Athletic’s Dan Woike wrote Wednesday. “The team can create a roster spot by waiving guard Shake Milton, and team sources have said that improving the team’s point of attack defense is a priority.”
Several options come to mind immediately, but there’s one particular asset the Lakers should turn their attention to swiftly.
Gary Payton II is a tough-minded 6-foot-2 guard who spent part of the 2017-18 campaign with the Lakers.
Payton only contributed 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 11 games with the Lakers, but his game has always been predicated on his defensive impact.
Although Payton doesn’t possess the ideal physical traits for a lockdown perimeter defender, there’s no question the Oregon State product can quickly identify opponents’ tendencies and dictate their next moves.
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Whether jumping on a ball handler’s strong hand, anticipating a dribble combination, or refusing to fall for the popular ‘luring defenders to sleep’ manipulation tactic, Payton ensures he makes life challenging for the opposition.
Payton has spent 4.5 of his last five NBA campaigns with the Golden State Warriors, helping the franchise capture a championship in 2022.
With the 32-year-old being an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers should explore the possibility of signing the veteran contributor this summer.
Offensive limitations aside, Payton could provide a much-needed defensive boost to a Lakers squad looking to shore up their production on that end of the floor (they ranked 10th in scoring defense, field goal % defense, and three-point defense last season).
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Category: Basketball
