Reports: LA Lakers conducted a workout and a meeting with 10-year Veteran Moe Harkless
The LA Lakers are making significant roster moves to bolster their current squad and have reached out to free agent forward Moe Harkless. After getting traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets, Harkless was waived and is yet to sign with a team.
The LA Lakers are addressing their needs immediately after starting their regular season with a 0-2 record. Los Angeles started slow and was exposed early on to start the 77th NBA season. The team has a lot to work on, and one of those things is their outside shooting. In two games, the Lakers have only shot over 22% from downtown. Not only that, but their field goal percentage as a team has been subpar, only connecting 38% of their shots.
Shams Charania of The Athletic recently reported that the Lakers have been looking for options in the open market. According to Charania, the team has conducted a workout with Moe Harkless. Harkless last played for the Sacramento Kings and only played 47 games.
"The Lakers brought in 10-year NBA veteran, Moe Harkless for a free agent workout and meeting this week," Charania said.
"The Lakers are considering a potential signing to bolster their wing and frontcourt depth. Harkless, who was waived by Houston [Rockets] in training camp, is among the top available players on the open market."
Lakers hold free-agent workout and meeting with a 10-year NBA veteran – details: https://t.co/BHUZOtiCyA
Harkless isn't the best option for the LA Lakers right now. In his career, he's shot 32% from downtown. He even shot 24% from the perimeter two seasons prior. As a defender, however, Harkless could hold his own. He's an average defender and if the Lakers decide on signing him, he could be one of their defensive stoppers in the wing position. Aside from LeBron James, no other wing player has the ability to be a ball stopper.
Is it too late for the LA Lakers to blow the roster up?
There are a ton of things that people should pay attention to this season. One of those things is the LA Lakers' outcome this season. On paper, the Lakers haven't done anything to move the odds in their favor.
In just two games, it already looks like they've gotten worse since last season. The front office didn't prioritize signing legitimate outside shooters. Instead, they collected a bevy of point guards who couldn't make their own shots. They could've had Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdonavic from the Utah Jazz over the summer, but Rob Pelinka was hesitant in trading away their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.
Another option they had was trading for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. They're both reliable outside scorers, but the LA Lakers weren't buying in on the idea of trading a future first-round pick. At the moment, the best option for the Lakers is to tank. Trading away Russell Westbrook could be another option that would make things easier for the Lakers to play this season.