Jodie Meeks doesn’t envision leaving the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
To that I say: Duh.
According to Shams Charania of RealGM, Meeks sees the Lakers as a long-term fit:
odie Meeks has been a critical role player for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, spacing the floor and providing versatility and durability at the wing position. In Meeks’ mind, he views the Lakers as a long-term fit and believes there’s a solid chance he’ll stay through at least next season’s team option in his contract.
“Yeah, I think so,” Meeks told RealGM when asked if he believes he will be part of the Lakers beyond this season. “You can’t really worry about that right now, just finish out this year. I’ll do that and see whatever happens.”
No surprises or unforeseen pleasantries here, save for maybe Meeks’ satisfaction with Lakers. This season has been a nightmare for a Los Angeles team that houses four perennial All-Stars.
Still, it’s good that Meeks is content in Hollywood, because he isn’t going anywhere. Not before next season, I’d imagine.
The Lakers have a team option worth slightly over $1.5 million for the essential combo guard. They would be crazy not to pick that up. Los Angeles has more than $78 million in committed payroll next season, leaving the team with no opportunity to add any free agents of significant value. Factor in that the Lakers’ bench ranks 28th in points per game (26.8) and they would be foolish to let a modestly-priced gem head elsewhere.
Beyond next year, we can make no such guarantees. Whether Kobe Bryant retires after next season or not, the Lakers are do for a major roster overhaul in 2014. Right now, though, they’d be smart to hang onto Meeks. Like really smart.
Meeks is playing in just over 20 minutes per game and averaging 14.4 points on 36.5 percent shooting from deep per 36 minutes. His 39.5 percent clip from the field overall is a bit discouraging, but the Lakers primarily need him as a three-point assassin. It’s his conversion rate from long distance that matters most.
Los Angeles’ offensive rating is also through the roof with him on the floor. When Meeks is in the lineup, the Lakers are scoring 110.4 points per 100 possessions, which would equate to the third-most efficient offense in the league.
Defensively, Meeks is a standout as well. He’s a great on-ball defender and is currently holding opposing shooting guards to a PER of 10, substantially lower than that of the league average (15).
Again, Meeks isn’t going anywhere this summer. The Lakers have control over his return and they’re not about to let a bargain like him walk out the door, especially now, when their bench production is almost nonexistent.
As far as being a long-term bench solution goes, Meeks will have to see how the pieces fall into place after next season. There’s always room for some cheap-priced role players, but if Meeks can improve upon his accuracy overall, he’ll be worth far more than $1.5 million after next year. He arguably already is.
Unless the Lakers are feeling self-destructive this summer, he’s not going anywhere.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
