Free-agent profile: Jodie Meeks

This is the eighth in a series of profiles focusing on this year’s free-agent class.

Player: Jodie Meeks, shooting guard

Former team: Philadelphia 76ers

Type of free agent: Unrestricted

Positives: Meeks has several characteristics that could bolster the Lakers’ bench. He’s young (24). He’s only a season removed from shooting nearly 40% from three-point range and has a strong mark from the free-throw line (90.6%). Sixers Coach Doug Collins has praised him for his work ethic and amiable personality. Synergy Sports Technology also reveals that he’s a better defender than meets the eye.

Negatives: Meeks offers very little else beyond shooting from long range. Even that’s inconsistent. After shooting nearly 40% from three-point land during the first half of the season, Meeks barely cracked 31% during the second half. During the playoffs, Meeks’ shooting was so unpredictable that he played only 7.8 minutes per game off the bench. If the Lakers are going to acquire a player with only one definitive skill set (in this case, shooting), it has to be consistent.

Verdict: This is a pretty good pickup. The questions remains would Meeks accept the league’s veteran’s minimum? The Lakers should be flexible with Meeks. Even if he’s an incomplete player, Meeks fills a very specific need on the Lakers’ bench.

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