Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apparently Sasha Vujacic was “a hit” during his workout with the Los Angeles Lakers this week.
And after playing basketball in Turkey, Vuvacic hopes to return to the NBA, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Unlike some of the players the Lakers signed during the offseason, Vujacic could single-handedly improve the Lakers’ offense. His shooting ability would help stretch the floor and would fit in with Coach Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system, which favors jump shooters.
In case you’ve forgotten, Vujacic averaged nearly 44 percent from behind the arc in the Lakers’ 2007-08 season, setting the Lakers record for best three-point field goal percentage in a single season.
And in Game 3 of the 2008 NBA Finals, Vujacic scored 20 points off the bench to help the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics.
Because Marcus Landry, Elias Harris, Xavier Henry and Shawne Williams all agreed to partially-guaranteed and non-guaranteed contracts, which basically only secures them an invitation to the Lakers training camp, the Lakers have enough space on the roster to sign Vujacic to a similar deal.
Also, rookie Ryan Kelly, the former Duke forward who the Lakers selected 48th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, is reportedly struggling in rehab as he tries to recover from surgery he underwent for his right foot. Kelly missed all of the Summer League, and the Lakers may have to cut him, leaving yet another reason to give Vujacic a shot.
Vujacic could prove a better investment for the Lakers than Landry, Harris, Henry or Williams. Vujacic is still an effective three-point shooter. The last time Vujacic played in the NBA was during the 2010-11 Season, for the New Jersey Nets. He shot about 37 percent from behind the arc and scored about 11 points in less than 29 minutes per game.
Also, Vujacic and Kobe Bryant get along as teammates, which apparently is a rare thing. Bringing on a positive player like Vujacic would definitely encourage team morale.
In addition, having been once engaged to professional tennis player Maria Sharapova, we can assume that Vujacic is not lacking in confidence.
The Lakers should offer him a deal.
Lucas Rubio is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @PlayerzLeague.
