The Lakers' new season crisis has not been lifted. Veteran Harkless is expected to join to help the Lakers?

2022-10-28 13:00

The Lakers' new season crisis has not been lifted. Veteran Harkless is expected to join to help the Lakers?


Although the Los Angeles Lakers have a good atmosphere in the 2022-2023 NBA season, it is expected that the lineup is ready to take off in the regular season, but as the Lakers have lost four straight in the regular season, the morale of the lineup has begun to decline, and the Lakers are likely to change their teams. Enter the free agency market to introduce 29-year-old forward and veteran Maurice Harkless to strengthen the lineup.


Lakers lineup flaws


The Lakers' roster deficiencies since the start of the season are evident in the 103-97 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last Friday, despite the fact that on the defensive end, 34-year-old guard Patrick Beverley and 33-year-old guard Russell Westbrook did his best as the defense's main force, but neither of them could resist the fast break on the flanks of 31-year-old forwards Kawhi Leonard and 32-year-old Paul George.


At the same time, the shooting percentage of players in the Lakers lineup was low, which caused the overall scoring efficiency and increased the problem that they needed to attack to score points. The Lakers gradually experienced a decline in physical strength in the second half.


The Lakers' new season crisis has not been lifted. Veteran Harkless is expected to join to help the Lakers?


10-year veteran Harris


According to well-known reporters, the Lakers have been looking for a solution non-stop and are considering signing former Sacramento Kings veteran Harkless, who has extensive experience and a solid defense.


Harkless is a 10-year NBA veteran with experience playing for multiple teams including the Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings . Until the summer offseason, the veteran and 24-year-old forward Kevin Huerter were traded by the Kings to the Atlanta Hawks, and then he was fired this month and officially became a free agent pending contracts with other teams.


He played in 47 games for the Kings last season, averaging 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 18.4 minutes while shooting 45.9 percent overall.


However, the veteran shot only 30.7 percent from the perimeter last season, and the numbers in the first two seasons were even lower. Obviously, his addition will not improve the Lakers' shooting shooting problems, but Harkless is on the defensive side. A player with a fairly consistent level of performance, especially in the paint, can definitely take advantage of his past skills in defending and picking-and-rolling NBA greats.


Predicted that the Lakers will change their team after the inevitable setback


The addition of Harkless will be a potion for the Lakers facing a losing streak. The Lakers' new head coach Darwin Hamm is likely to opt for a defensive shift and give up either 25-year-old Vinyon Gabriel or forward Maffey Ryan to make room for Harkless .