Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly
PF, 6’11, 230lbs, 26 years old, 4 years of experience

Kelly cannot be a stretch four in the NBA unless he is willing and able to take a lot more shots than he does, and unless he makes a lot more as well. If he is not a stretch four, then it is difficult to know what he is. A high IQ player who makes few mistakes is of some value, yet in doing very little in his time on the court, being overmatched physically by most opponents, and in being aged 26 already, it is of limited value when resources are limited.

Player Plan: Unguaranteed minimum salary for 2016/17. Waive him. Even if he is wanted back, he can be picked up again later.

L.A. Lakers - Xavier Henry, Shawne Williams, Ryan Kelly and Kendall Marshall: In the midst of his breakout season, Henry is guaranteed to survive, and despite his usual inconsistencies, Williams has done enough (5.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg) to do so too. Kelly has barely played for the big league club, but has been one of the best players in the D-League thus far, as has the much improved-shooting Marshall, who also now has the benefit of being the Lakers's only healthy point guard. All four may survive.

L.A. Lakers -­ Ryan Kelly: Kelly is second in the D­League with a 25.2 points per game scoring average, continuing his unlikely but now confirmed development as a confident, versatile scorer. He has done so while attempting 9.4 free throws a game, hitting them at 92%, but shooting only 42% from the field and 25% from three. He is averaging 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, but grabs only 7.6 rebounds in 39.7 minutes per game. Is Kelly a perimeter based forward with some interior offense but perimeter defensive issues, or is he an inside player with an occasional jump-shot but a huge rebounding disadvantage? Whichever he is, he is much improved and very productive.