The Los Angeles Lakers’ three-point shooting and half-court defense have been unsatisfactory lately.
On Wednesday, the Lakers shot 22.7% from beyond the arc and surrendered 134 points in an embarrassing 41-point smackdown.
Fortunately, there’s a prototypical 3-and-D Orlando Magic wing who could help the Lakers improve on both ends of the floor.
“Kentavious Caldwell-Pope landed with the Magic this offseason, but things haven’t exactly gone smoothly,” Fadeaway World’s Fran Leiva wrote Wednesday.
“Through 22 games, he’s averaging just 8.6 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game—far from the level of production we’ve seen from him in the past.”
“His shooting has been shaky, and he hasn’t looked like the impactful two-way player he was during his prime years.”
“Meanwhile, the Lakers are in desperate need of a point-of-attack defender in their backcourt.”
“D’Angelo Russell isn’t exactly known for his defense, Austin Reaves struggles against quick guards, and the team has resorted to starting Cam Reddish to fill the defensive void.”
“While Reddish has had his moments, the Lakers still lack a consistent, reliable defender who can take on the league’s best guards and wings.”
“This is where KCP comes in. During his time with the Lakers, he was a cornerstone of their perimeter defense and played a key role in their 2020 championship run.”
“His ability to lock down opposing players and hit timely shots made him an invaluable piece of the puzzle.”
“Reuniting with the Lakers could give him the opportunity to rediscover that form, especially alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who know exactly how to maximize his strengths.”
“On top of his defense, KCP brings championship pedigree, hustle, and the ability to thrive in high-pressure moments. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, which is exactly what the Lakers need right now.”
“This reunion just makes too much sense. If the Lakers were to offer the same (Kyle) Kuzma package with (Rui) Hachimura and (Gabe) Vincent plus a 2029 pick, the Magic would be all over this deal.”
While Caldwell-Pope isn’t shooting the ball well through the first 22 games of the 2024-25 season, the two-time NBA champion’s track record suggests he’s been a reliable three-point sharpshooter since his third campaign with the Lakers.
The Georgia product averaged 9.3 points and shot 38.5% from deep on Los Angeles’ 2019-20 championship squad.
Caldwell-Pope shot above 38% from beyond the arc from 2020-24, solidifying himself as a high-level perimeter threat and winning an additional ring as a member of the Denver Nuggets.
Defensively, Caldwell-Pope’s notable 107.7 defensive rating speaks for itself. The former SEC Player of the Year is a disciplined perimeter defender who isn’t afraid to challenge himself nightly.
With the Lakers going in the wrong direction in early December, the organization should consider pursuing Caldwell-Pope this year.