Lakers are signing Tristan Thompson, Shaquille Harrison
The Los Angeles Lakers have possessed a deep and well-balanced team ever since they executed multiple trades ahead of the trade deadline.
They acquired forward Rui Hachimura in late January to address what was then an utter lack of forward depth other than LeBron James. Then came the blockbuster Russell Westbrook trade that brought back former All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell, defensive standout Jarred Vanderbilt and sharpshooter Malik Beasley.
For good measure, Los Angeles also landed backup center Mo Bamba for veteran guard Patrick Beverley.
However, some felt even with Bamba, a good shot-blocker and 3-point shooter, it lacked center depth.
To that end, the team signed veteran big man Tristan Thompson, as well as guard Shaquille Harrison, for the rest of the season.
The Lakers are signing two players today to add depth for the postseason, sources told ESPN. L.A. will sign guard Shaq Harrison, a defensive-minded point guard, and Tristan Thompson, a veteran center with playoff experience on LeBron James’ teams in Cleveland. Both players…
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 9, 2023
The Lakers have taken their time in adding another center, but now they will have an additional one for the play-in tournament and, they hope, the playoffs.
Thompson should bolster L.A.'s center rotation
Thompson is an 11-year veteran who has suited up for five different teams. Of course, he played his first nine seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played four years with LeBron James.
During those four seasons, the Cavs reached the NBA Finals each year while winning their first-ever world championship in 2016.
He hasn’t played a single NBA game yet this season.
Thompson has career averages of 9.0 points and 8.4 rebounds a game, and while he may not be a rim protector, he may be able to give the Lakers some defensive toughness in the middle when Anthony Davis is resting.
In addition, Thompson, who is 32 years of age, will add some experience to what is suddenly a rather young Lakers squad.
Lakers are taking a flyer on Harrison
Harrison, 29, has played six seasons in the NBA. Even though he stands 6-foot-4 and weighs less than 200 pounds, he is known for having some defensive prowess.
He has spent time with the G League’s South Bay Lakers this season, and head coach Darvin Ham praised his playmaking skills.
Ham on one of LAL’s roster moves: “Shaquille Harrison can score, play-make and guard multiple positions; he’s played real NBA minutes and we saw opportunity if anything should happen health wise that we can throw right into the mix.” Also familiar w/system thx to @SouthBayLakers.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 9, 2023
Harrison isn’t a good shooter, as he has hit only 43.5 percent of his shots overall and 28.1 percent of his 3-point attempts, so one should expect him to get only spot duty as a defensive pressure point.
