Fansided

5 options for Lakers’ open roster spot

By Tre LyDay

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball No. 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball No. 2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: Kyle Wiltjer
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: Kyle Wiltjer /

Kyle Wiltjer

The Lakers don’t have any shooters, but they also don’t have any bigs that can consistently stretch the floor. Brook Lopez can stretch the floor, but he’s not the guy Luke Walton wants wandering around the 3-point line.

Lopez shoots 30 percent from 3, not that bad for a 7-foot center. But Wiltjer is almost 7-feet tall, and is more of a shooter than Lopez. Wiltjer was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Rockets, and was thrust into Mike D’Antoni’s offense.

He shot 30 percent from deep, but averaged less than a 3-pointer a game. If he were to get some decent minutes with the Lakers, he could average around five 3-point attempts per game. Walton should take Wiltjer’s attempts over Lopez’s.

Back in his days at Gonzaga, Wiltjer was pretty much lights out from deep. In his senior year he shot close to six 3s per game, but still managed to shoot 44 percent from deep.

The Lakers would also get the added benefit of not losing much depth in the front court seeing as Wiltjer is essentially 7-feet tall. Even though his post game isn’t as refined as you might like for a guy his size, the Lakers would really just want his shooting abilities.

Like Brown, a 10-day contract may not be doable, but a non-guaranteed or two-way contract could be.

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