Shaquille O’Neal Believes Lakers Still Need To Add Shooting To Roster

As it currently stands, the Los Angeles Lakers have a full roster. While the team could choose to waive the non-guaranteed contract of Shake Milton to create another roster spot and bring in another player, the big moves for this team this offseason are likely done. But Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal still sees a big hole for this team.

This era of NBA basketball has seen the rise of the 3-pointer with teams launching them at record rates. Last season, the Lakers were in the middle of the pack in both 3s made per game and 3-point percentage, but losing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency could cause those numbers to drop.

The Lakers still have good shooters on the roster with Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura all posting above average numbers from deep. But Shaq believes the Lakers need to add even more shooting, via D.J. Siddiqi of Casinobeats.com:

“They have a legitimate big now, got two premier players,” O’Neal said. “I’m still worried about the shooting. It’s a three-point league now. Not guys that can shoot, (I’m talking about) bonafide shooters. Guys that are guaranteed, like JJ Reddick. He was a bonafide shooter. They got the point guard, got the off-guard, got a legitimate center. Their chances are much better now.”

That level of shooter would certainly make life easier on everyone. Past players such as current Lakers coach JJ Redick, Kyle Korver and Ray Allen could open up so much space as defenses know they can’t afford to give them an inch or they would make them pay.

The Lakers do have a player on the roster who could potentially grow into that in Dalton Knecht. The second-year guard shot a solid percentage from deep as a rookie and has the confidence to let it fly, but will have to get more consistent in order to really become that floor spacer the Lakers need.

There is still some time this summer for the Lakers to add that shooter Shaq feels the team needs, but the Lakers are also reportedly focused on shoring up their perimeter defense so that seems like more of the priority if they adds another player.

Lakers confident Luka Doncic will sign an extension in early August

Of course, the top priority for the Lakers remains locking down superstar guard Luka Doncic to a contract extension that will keep him as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future and the team is reportedly confident that will be coming very soon.