Unexpected Allies: 3 Lakers who could emerge as LeBron's sidekick
LeBron James' decision this summer to go Hollywood and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers didn't come with his team-building initiatives of the past. There was no trade for Kevin Love or signing of Chris Bosh to accompany his arrival, leaving many to wonder just how effective this season's Lakers will be.
Matters were compounded when the purple and gold added the likes of Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, and Michael Beasley - all useful role players, but far from complementary building blocks alongside a star of LeBron's stature.
Still, there may be a method to this madness. LeBron's game figures to change somewhat this season, and here are three new Laker teammates who could emerge as his sidekick of sorts:
Josh Hart (and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)
Hart and Caldwell-Pope are the Lakers' best traditional sharpshooters, which is always a crucial ingredient when you factor in LeBron's sixth sense for playmaking. The pair shot a combined 39 percent on nine 3-point attempts per game last season, and Hart especially could be ready to take another step. The 23-year-old won MVP at Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 22.4 points.
Brandon Ingram
Throughout his championship era, LeBron has benefited from skilled big men playing next to him: Bosh in Miami, and Love in Cleveland. Both had to amend their styles to some degree to fit in with James, but Ingram is still raw enough to develop into a truly complementary piece for The King.
While Kyle Kuzma is a rock-solid power forward, Ingram could have the ability to consistently play three frontcourt positions if he bulked up. The 21-year-old Ingram made major strides in his sophomore season, shooting 39 percent from deep while drawing enough contact inside to rank in the 95th percentile among NBA wings in shooting-foul percentage.
Lance Stephenson
Don't laugh, but LeBron and Lance have a solid mutual respect for each other. "He wants you," Stephenson quoted Magic Johnson as saying what James told him before he signed with the Lakers in July. The occasional goofy antics aside, Stephenson is a player who knows his role - something that clicks with LeBron.
His playmaking abilities are also somewhat underrated - he has a career 20 percent assist rate. The logic behind the Lakers' additions of Stephenson and Rondo were to beef up their facilitators so LeBron wouldn't have to do it all. Given the makeup of the current roster, that will likely put James in the post more often than we've seen recently.
And if all else fails, Lance will still be there for some comic relief.