Fansided

3 Lakers that must step up without LeBron James

By Rucker Haringey

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Montrezl Harrell, Los Angels Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

2. Montrezl Harrell

The Lakers signed Harrell in free agency to help take pressure off of James and Davis during the regular season. The undersized center has struggled to live up to his contract to date, but he has a chance to make up for his previous failings while LeBron resides on the bench.

Harrell’s lack of size prevents him from being anything more than an average defender. He needs to provide his value on the offensive end of the floor. His quickness and hot-running motor gives him the opportunity to overcome his lack of size by beating opponents to the basketball.

Unlike Horton-Tucker, the Lakers do need Harrell to increase his usage on offense while LeBron is out of the lineup. He’s been efficient this year with an effective field goal percentage of just over 64 percent in 43 games. What Los Angeles needs from him in the short-term is an uptick in terms of his usage. That number currently sits at a modest mark of 20.5 percent but may need to rise to something closer to 30 while his team’s offensive engine sits out.

Harrell needs help from the team’s guards to get the ball in the right position for him to succeed, but he can also increase his usage by working a little harder on the offensive glass. The Lakers need Harrell to play like a fringe All-Star for the next few weeks if they want to stay in contention for the No. 1 seed in the West.

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