Lakers Explore Underrated Backcourt Options To Improve Outside Shooting

The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as an impressive team heading into the third week of free agency. After making some noteworthy signings, the Lakers have looked more competitive. Their roster construction project is expected to continue, with trade rumors seeing them linked to underrated backcourt options to improve their perimeter shooting.

NBA insider Brett Siegel reported that the Lakers were in pursuit of two key targets, tweeting:

"The Lakers discussed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Donte DiVincenzo as potential trade targets with the Grizzlies and Timberwolves, sources told @ClutchPoints. KCP talks happened after he was included in the Bane-ORL trade. MIN immediately turned down DiVincenzo talks."

The links to Donte DiVincenzo appear to have fallen through, and for good reason. DiVincenzo was a crucial part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' roster last season. As the primary facilitator off the bench, the 28-year-old guard made an impact on both ends of the court. He averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on shooting splits of 42.2% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range.

With DiVincenzo talks falling through, this presents a clear opportunity for the Lakers to pursue Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in one of the first major trades of the offseason.

Caldwell-Pope is an intriguing prospect for the team as well. Considering his past connections to the franchise, having won a title with them in 2020, the sentimental appeal of a return could be viewed favorably. 

This particularly holds true this offseason, as players like Damian Lillard and Chris Paul explore late-career reunions with former teams.

The Grizzlies may also be open to flipping Caldwell-Pope if he doesn't fit their vision for the future. This could be a factor, especially after Memphis parted ways with Cole Anthony, who signed with Milwaukee after a buyout.

The Lakers, as constructed, are a fairly well-rounded team. While they have capable scorers on their roster, they don't necessarily have spot-up shooters who contribute as perimeter threats. 

Although Caldwell-Pope is widely regarded as an elite three-point shooter, his shooting numbers dipped last season. With the Orlando Magic, Caldwell-Pope averaged 8.7 points on shooting splits of 43.9% from the field and 34.2% from three-point range. He remains a capable defensive presence, but with perimeter shooting being a priority, his recent performances don't meet the criteria.

This could be a cause for concern, considering that the Lakers would be required to part ways with some key assets to acquire him. In some ways, this could be considered a high-risk, high-reward move, but considering the guard's declining production, the overall scope isn't great.

At the current juncture, insider reports have suggested that a trade could be in the works, with Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber emerging as the primary trade pieces. Given Knecht’s upside as a scorer and Kleber’s value as an expiring contract, the Lakers could use both as assets in trade talks.

While the team has addressed some of their defensive concerns with the signing of Marcus Smart, reports have suggested that the team could facilitate a trade to acquire Jrue Holiday as well. Given his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, the Purple and Gold may see Holiday to be a more impactful acquisition in a potential trade scenario.