The Lakers' second unit ranked dead last in points per game last season, as they only scored a shade over 20 points per night. The bench didn't help much in other assets of the game with averages of 12.8 boards and 6.6 assists.
Yikes.
One could make the case that the reasons Los Angeles wasn't more competitive this season was the simple fact that their bench was the worst in the entire association. However, the team does have a chance to improve this piece of the puzzle.
With both Matt Barnes, arguably the team's best bench option last season, and Troy Murphy heading into open market, as they are both unrestricted free agents, the Lakers have some cap space to work with (albeit very little.)
Nonetheless, losing both of these players does help the cause. Murphy, who was signed last offseason, turned out to be a terrible addition. His lack of athleticism and advanced age made him susceptible to constant attack from opposing power forwards. Additionally, Murphy, whose greatest skill is his scoring prowess, only tallied a little over 3 points per contest.
Barnes, on the other hand, put up decent numbers last season, but he also played almost 23 per game due to the lack of a multitude of established bench players. His inability to hit the three-point jumper at a consistent rate and being a liability on offense will probably lead to him finding a new city to call home.
Additionally, his defense, which is undoubtedly his greatest strength, has started to fail him due to his dwindling athleticism. Already 32 years old, Barnes may be searching for his last contract.
As of right now, the Lakers' biggest...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
