During the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers added Taurean Prince to their roster as they look to improve their three-and-d options on the wing. A seven-year veteran, Prince will ensure the Lakers have a trusted floor spacer coming off the bench, proving they can guard multiple positions at the NBA level.
The Lakers were short on floor spacers to begin the 2021-22 season. However, this time around, there needs to be ample spacing to allow LeBron James and Anthony Davis opportunities to work on the interior, on the post, and in the driving lanes. Prince will have a big part to play in making sure Los Angeles’ two stars have the best chance to succeed on the court.
Buy Lakers TicketsHowever, as with all role players, Prince can still improve his game. In the latest installment of LeBron Wire’s “three goals” series, we will take a look at some of the adjustments Prince can make in the upcoming season:
Become a 40% 3-point shooter
Shortly after signing with the Lakers, Prince noted how he aims to become a 40% 3-point shooter in the upcoming season. For a player who is averaging 37.2% from deep in his career, a jump to 40% isn’t outside the scope of possibilities.
Last season, Prince averaged 121.9 points per 100 shot attempts, placing him in the 80th percentile among wings. However, the veteran wing will need to ensure he’s getting to his spots and finding shooting pockets on a consistent basis if he wants to make good on his goal and become a deadeye from deep.
Earn significant playing time
The Lakers have a deep wing rotation this season, with multiple two-way players expected to assume roles on the team’s bench. As such, Prince will have to earn his minutes on the court the old-fashioned way: hard work and production.
Since entering the NBA, Prince has averaged 23.9 minutes per game and is coming to the Lakers after averaging 22.1 minutes per contest last season. If Prince wants to be a genuine difference-maker off the Lakers bench, he will need to earn his opportunity every time he steps onto the court.
Attack the rim more
During his career, only 27.4% of Prince‘s shots have come at the rim. That will have to improve while with the Lakers. If Prince expects to get open jumpers on the perimeter, he will need to earn their respect as a slasher – proving he can get to and finish around the cup. Only then will defenses think twice about playing up-to-touch on him.
Adding offensive aggression into his game will be vital for Prince and the Lakers in the upcoming season.
