NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Should Call Up Roscoe Smith and Jabari Brown From the Los Angeles D-Fenders

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By @pjacobosports

Roscoe Smith Jabari Brown Los Angeles D-Fenders

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The Los Angeles Lakers have 38 losses in 51 games with 31 games remaining in this miserable season. They’re currently hanging on to the fourth-worst record in the entire NBA, and if they retain one of the five worst records, they keep their valuable pick.

With the trade deadline coming up, I expect the Lakers to be active in trade talks trying to acquire draft picks and/or young assets for next season. Jordan Hill, Jeremy Lin and possibly Ed Davis may be wearing different uniforms come next week.

Assuming trades are made, the Lakers would be wise to call up some of their D-League talent from their affiliate Los Angeles D-Fenders. Two names in particular have caught my eye: Roscoe Smith and Jabari Brown. Both players are enjoying stellar seasons with the D-Fenders.

Smith is a 6-foot-8 small forward who can rebound. In the D-League, he’s the second-leading rebounder (11.9) and averaging nearly four offensive boards for the D-Fenders. He’s the team’s third leading scorer (19.1) and making 55 percent of his shots. He has the range to knock down the three, but his 29 percent shooting needs to vastly improve. He’s earned 23 double-doubles in 31 games for L.A.

The Lakers are thin at small forward. Wesley Johnson has been inconsistent throughout his career. Ryan Kelly is starting at the moment, but he clearly is out of position. Kelly is better suited as a stretch-four. At this point, Smith wouldn’t hinder their chances at retaining their top-five protected pick. This would be a time to see what he can do at the major league level.

Brown, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who came out of Missouri. He’s built exactly the same as rookie sensation Jordan Clarkson. Actually, the scoring duo played together in college and developed a very close friendship. Brown is the D-Fenders’ top scorer with 23.1 points. He’s second overall in scoring and was also chosen as a D-League All-Star. His shooting numbers are solid across the board at 38.6 percent from three, 46 percent from field and he makes 83 percent of his free-throws.

Kobe Bryant is close to the end of his career. At 36 years of age, he cannot carry the scoring load anymore. Adding a scorer like Brown to the team would add a younger gunslinger to a rebuilding squad. Brown is capable of putting points on the board for the Lakers and can also create for his teammates. The chemistry that Clarkson and Brown built while at Missouri could also become a nice scoring tandem for Los Angeles.

Both Smith (23) and Brown (22) fit the bill for a team looking to get younger. Their potential growth could be rewarding to the Lakers moving forward. Just look at Hassan Whiteside (Miami Heat) and Robert Covington (Philadelphia 76ers). They would be relatively inexpensive and would not affect the Lakers’ cap situation if they pan out.

The Lakers are in a period of evaluating talent. The D-Fenders are 9-22 and the Lakers are 13-38. The Lakers have nothing to lose by calling up their D-League prospects. Both players were on the training camp roster before this dismal season started and were cut because the Lakers had reached their roster limit of 15. The Lakers’ brass saw something in both players to warrant an invitation. The progression in the D-League has been great, so perhaps it’s time for them to get a shot with the Lakers.

Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @pjacobosports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.

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