NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Should Gamble On Josh Smith

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By @getempsports

Josh Smith Los Angeles Lakers Detroit Pistons

Tim Fuller- USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers (8-19) are currently the worst defensive team in the NBA. They’re allowing 109 points per game to the opposition. The Lakers are armed with two disabled-player exceptions to add a player to their roster.

On Monday morning, the Detroit Pistons released 6-foot-9 forward Josh Smith. He had two years and $26 million left on his deal. The Pistons are having a terrible year (worse than Lakers) and, according to Stan Van Gundy, needed a change of direction.

Smith was averaging 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season. He’s shooting under 40 percent and playing out of position. Detroit often used Smith as a small forward knowing well he was not a good outside shooter.

Smith is a few seasons removed from filling up the stat sheet for the Atlanta Hawks, but the Lakers should still take a gamble on the 10-year veteran. The Lakers have no shot-blocking presence other than Ed Davis. Smith has averaged nearly two blocks and a steal in his career. Los Angeles can use another experienced forward on their front line.

Aside from his shot-blocking prowess, Smith is a willing passer from the power forward spot. During his tenure with the Hawks, he was dishing out five dimes a game.

Perhaps a change of scenery would benefit Smith. The Lakers’ defense needs some serious help and Smith can help in that department.

At this point in time, what do the Lakers have to lose? It seems the Lakers are torn between tanking the season or continuing to fight for a playoff spot. They’ve been involved in many close games this year. Perhaps Kobe Bryant’s 37-percent shooting is a huge factor, but even he can’t work with the talent around him. The Lakers don’t have a record worthy of keeping their top-five protected pick at the moment. If they don’t finish with one of the five worst records, then they hand that pick to the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers will have to fight off many contenders vying for Smith’s services. They all can offer him minimum deals as opposed to the Lakers who can offer him more money ($4.8M). The ball is in Smith’s court if he wants more money and playing time to rehabilitate his career or play sparingly on a contending team. The chances of Smith choosing Los Angeles are slim, but that should not deter them from at least inquiring.

Thinking outside the box, let’s say Smith chooses the Lakers and puts up the numbers he did in Atlanta (18 points, nine rebounds and five assists per game). The Lakers could re-sign him and perhaps help recruit his pal Rajon Rondo to the Lakers next season. I bet Kobe would love that idea. It’s a crazy scenario (I know), but it may be more realistic than Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge leaving their current teams.

What do you think about the Lakers potentially signing Smith?

Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @getempsports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.

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