The Los Angeles Lakers have begun to falter as of late after opening the season with great optimism. The Lakers started off hot and everyone was clicking, D’Angelo Russell was playing at a high level as was Julius Randle, and the decision to start Nick Young at shooting guard remains to look like it was a good one.
However, since then injuries have taken it’s toll on the youthful roster as Russell, Randle, Young, and Luol Deng all missed time. The most recent injury was to backup power forward Larry Nance who is expected to miss an extended period of time with a bone bruise in his left knee. The Lakers are falling fast and are looking for any additions that can help reverse their recent slump. One of those potential additions could be free agent big Donatas Motiejunas who was reportedly brought in for a workout and impressed. Following from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:
In the wake of Larry Nance's injury, the Lakers brought in free agent F Donatas Motiejunas for an audition, but didn't immediately sign him
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 28, 2016
The addition of Motiejunas could definitely pay dividends for this Lakers team, now and in the future. The loss of Nance is a big one and should be addressed as such. However, according to Shelburne, Los Angeles is concerned that bringing Motiejunas aboard would take away minutes from other players:
Story with @ESPNSteinLine going up shortly on the Lakers weighing whether adding DMo would take too many minutes from Randle and Tarik
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 28, 2016
Word is DMo was impressive in his workout w/ the Lakers, so this is more about his impact on the rotation rather than health concerns
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 28, 2016
It is reasonable for the Lakers to be hesitant to pull the trigger on signing the ex-Rocket, but the talent is clearly still there for Motiejunas. The Lithuanian provides a quality perimeter threat from the power forward spot, a skill that is highly coveted in today’s league. In his sole season as the starter for Houston, Motiejunas put up a respectable 12.0 points per game average while grabbing 5.9 rebounds. Still young at age 26, if the 7-footer was eventually inked to a deal, he could be of great upside to this raw Lakers roster.
