DeAndre Jordan is expected to clear waivers with the Detroit Pistons and sign with the Lakers. DeAndre Jordan’s role on the Brooklyn Nets was minimized once they signed Blake Griffin. Jordan is still only 33 years of age and has plenty of basketball left. The Lakers need another big to go along side Davis and Howard. The Lakers are expected to play much smaller with Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James playing big minutes at the 4. DJ gives the Lakers an extra body to get rebounds and catch lobs from Westbrook and Rondo.
The Lakers have shown that they are not afraid to play big in the regular season and the playoffs. Frank Vogel stuck with lineups of McGee and Davis or Howard and Davis throughout their championship run in 2020. DJ can play the role of JaVale McGee and give the Lakers productive minutes. DJ is still a double double machine and with the playmakers the Lakers have, he will shine in his limited role.
The big question with the Lakers is their perimeter defense against smaller teams. The Golden State Warriors won multiple championships by forcing teams to play small to adjust to them or simply forcing bigger teams into switches on the perimeter. The Clippers played a smaller lineup in the 2021 playoffs and took advantage of the defensive player of the year. There will be multiple teams that may force the Lakers to play Anthony Davis at center like the Houston Rockets did in the 2020 playoffs.
The Lakers roster is filled with veterans but also a high basketball IQ. The Lakers will make teams adjust to them and play smarter than their opponents.
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