Recent NBA 1st Round Pick The Los Angeles Lakers Should Sign

I believe the Los Angeles Lakers should consider signing Darius Bazley.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had an up-and-down season and are currently the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 23-23 record in their first 46 games.

They have dealt with injuries to role players and will now be without Cam Reddish for an extended period. 

Via ESPN's Dave McMenamin: "Cam Reddish will be sidelined with his right ankle sprain for the next two weeks at which point he’ll be reevaluated by team doctors, the Lakers announced"

Cam Reddish will be sidelined with his right ankle sprain for the next two weeks at which point he’ll be reevaluated by team doctors, the Lakers announced

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 26, 2024

Darius Bazley is currently a free agent, and I believe that the Lakers should look into signing the 23-year-old.

Why? 

Bazley was the 23rd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and has played four seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns. 

Last season (in 43 games), he averaged 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest while shooting 45.4% from the field and 37.7% from the three-point range. 

Darius Bazley with the poster ‼️ pic.twitter.com/6wwADClolL

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 9, 2023

Currently, Bazley is playing in the G League and is averaging 17.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per contest while shooting 44.4% from the field in ten regular season games. 

His ability to defend other forwards would make him an excellent signing while Reddish is out. 

In addition, he has the ability to score, as he has a career average (in the NBA) of 9.1 points per contest.

During the G League Winter Showcase, Bazley had a game where he put up an astonishing 43 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks. 

The Lakers will play their next game on Saturday when they face off against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. 

More on the Los Angeles Lakers can be read here