More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft
Restricted free agent Ryan Kelly has reached an agreement on a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, as first reported by the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan.
Don't have dollar figure on Ryan Kelly's deal. But I'm told it's a two year deal with no options
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 19, 2014
Ryan Kelly on his new deal: "I am very happy and blessed to have reached an agreement with the Lakers"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 19, 2014
Kelly, who the Lakers selected No. 48 overall in the 2013 draft, earned a spot in head coach Mike D'Antoni's rotation last year. He averaged 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22 minutes per game, shooting 42 percent from the field and 34 percent from the three-point line.
Those numbers don't jump out at you, but Kelly fared well in Los Angeles' freewheeling system. At 6-foot-11, the forward can shoot, put the ball on the floor and pass effectively. He's the kind of guy that just makes the offense run better. He started getting minutes in late December, and never looked back after that.
His flaws are obvious -- for a big man, he's an awful rebounder, and he cannot protect the rim. If you want to stop anyone, you need someone at the center spot to cover for him. Carlos Boozer is not that guy. Jordan Hill is not that guy. Ed Davis is not that guy. Robert Sacre is ... you get the point. The Lakers were right to retain Kelly, but it's not clear what their plan is.
