Offensive scoring, particularly from the wings, was a problem the Los Angeles Lakers wanted to address prior to the NBA trade deadline. And while most were waiting for a Carmelo Anthony signing, it was Reggie Bullock of the Detroit Pistons that came in instead
Bullock was acquired in a trade with the Detroit Pistons that involved Svi Mykhailiuk and a future second-round pick, a move made to help boost the Lakers chances of making the playoffs. That move has yet to pay dividends with Los Angeles well on their way to missing the NBA playoffs yet again, Lakers Nation reported.
The thing about Bullock is that he will become a free agent after the 2018-19 NBA season. And while there are teams likely to try and court him, the 27-year-old said that he would love to return to the Lakers next season.
“I was a fan of this organization pretty much my whole life, and the connection me and ‘Bron are building, it’s continuing to build trust. We’ll see how it plays out in the summer.”
Despite high hopes of seeing a more fluid performance from the Lakers, Bullock’s entry has yet to reap fruit. The time element of blending and getting used to the system employed by head coach Luke Walton could be delaying all that, meaning the real worth of the 25th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft can only be realized with more time playing with the other regular Lakers.
Assuming that the Lakers do end up retaining Bullock, he could be a big shot at the arm to address the offensive shortcomings of the purple and gold. And while he has expressed his willingness to stay on, all that could change depending on the deal and opportunity given to him moving forward.
The reality of it all is that the Lakers need firepower and Bullock looms like a plausible choice. There are plenty of notable free agents in the summer so the future of the cager from the University of North Carolina may also hinge on that.
The Lakers are expected to be busy in the offseason as they try to pick up the pieces of yet another disappointing season. They will be after high profile names and key personnel to fill in positions that sorely need a boost.
