LOS ANGELES — Fixing the Lakers bench crisis requires a total overhaul of the second unit to ensure that the core of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves aren’t left carrying a historic burden. If Rob Pelinka plays his cards right, the Los Angeles Lakers could add 60 percent 3-point wing to completely reshape their spacing.
Lakers Could Add 60 Percent 3-Point Wing Brilliantly For Next To Nothing
While the coaching staff under JJ Redick managed to squeeze every ounce of production out of a top-heavy roster, the bench rotation was a disaster. Ranking 12th in bench points, the Lakers starters were frequently gassed by the fourth quarter because the second unit couldn’t be trusted to maintain, let alone extend, a lead.
With LeBron’s future in LA still up in the air, Rob Pelinka must aggressively target Landry Shamet. The timing aligns beautifully because the New York Knicks second apron restrictions are about to hit a major financial wall next season. New York’s loss is LA’s immediate gain, giving the front office a clear pathway to add 60 percent 3-point wing shooting to a desperate rotation.
Landry Shamet’s playoff stats tell the entire story of his sudden value. Shamet put on an absolute shooting clinic during the Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, blowing the roof off the arena with his perimeter spacing. He was an absolute flamethrower from deep throughout the entire series, highlighted by his game-changing role in Game 1 where he came off the bench to hit a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, finishing as a team-high plus-25 in limited minutes.
He backed that up by going 4-of-5 from deep in Game 3 and a perfect 4-of-4 from downtown in the Game 4 clincher, proving his playoff mettle when the stakes are at their highest. Shamet is shooting 60% from behind-the-arc this postseason.
When you look at how the Lakers starters were frequently gassed down the stretch of every playoff game, having a weapon who can tilt the floor like this completely alters your half-court math.
From Luxury Specialist to Volume Disruptor
In New York, Shamet is primarily employed as a situational defender used in highly specific, strategic moments. It is a luxury the Knicks can easily afford because their roster is already stacked with elite wing stoppers like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. They never need Shamet to carry a heavy defensive burden; they just needed him to execute a game plan for brief stretches.
Because the Knicks second apron bill is about to skyrocket, they simply cannot afford to keep him on the books without him taking a massive discount. The Lakers obviously do not have that kind of perimeter luxury, but they can completely flip his role to maximize his value. Instead of keeping him in a specialized box, LA could convert Shamet into a high-minute volume defender. This would significantly lessen the defensive load on Marcus Smart during the grueling 82-game regular season, giving the team a reliable perimeter pest who can fight through screens and chase guards out on the perimeter.
This is how you solve a lingering Lakers bench crisis without breaking the bank.
This blueprint mirrors exactly how the Oklahoma City Thunder utilize their elite rotation of defensive disruptors like Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, and Alex Caruso. The Thunder intentionally play Wallace and their younger pieces heavy minutes during the regular season, keeping their premier high-impact defenders fresh and healthy for the physical toll of the postseason. Relying on Landry Shamet gives JJ Redick that exact same tactical flexibility. It ensures your core guys aren’t run into the ground before April.
The Bottom Line
LA cannot afford to enter another season hoping their superstars can play 40 minutes a night just to survive bench stints. They need proven, battle-tested playoff contributors who can stretch the floor and hold their own defensively without eating up precious salary cap space. The Lakers could add 60 percent 3-point wing to a bench that completely stalled out last year, giving themselves the depth to be true title contenders in the ultra-competitive Western Conference landscape.
Landry Shamet’s playoff stats prove he belongs on a championship stage, and fixing the Lakers bench crisis starts with identifying these exact market inefficiencies. Since luxury tax complications are forcing New York’s hand, Rob Pelinka needs to be first in line to add 60 percent 3-point wing production to his roster for a bargain.
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