Wayne Ellington says it was an ‘easy decision’ to return to Lakers, calls it a ‘perfect fit’

A longtime fan favorite, Wayne Ellington’s return to the Lakers this offseason was both a welcome return and a needed one. After acquiring Russell Westbrook via trade, the Lakers were in desperate need of shooting, leading to Ellington being one of the first names reported as signing with the Lakers once free agency began.

Ellington appeared on “Noble and Roosh Show” podcast on Monday and discussed his rather brief free agency and return to the Lakers.

“Just the type of interest that they showed stuck out to me way more than any other team. I had conversations in the past and before free agency had conversations with some of the guys on the team and it just felt like it was a perfect fit at the perfect timing. I felt like what I bring to the table was needed with the roster that was being put together, the roster that they had especially after Russ came on board. My shooting and my movement without the ball is something that will definitely be a complement to this roster.”

This isn’t the first time Ellington has spoken on his return to Los Angeles. In his introductory press conference, he also mentioned the fact that he never wanted to leave Los Angeles after his first tenure in 2014-15, further endearing himself to Lakers faithful.

On Monday’s podcast appearance, Ellington backed up his desire to rejoin the Lakers by mentioned other teams and situations he looked at — including Brooklyn — while noting none of them offered the role he would walk into with the Lakers.

“There was some teams I looked at. Brooklyn was one. Brooklyn was one. But LA was just, it was too good of a situation for me. Obviously, Brooklyn already has some shooters that do some similar things like I do in Joe Harris and a couple of other guys as well that they have. It was an easy decision for me.”

While Ellington certainly isn’t guaranteed a starting spot in Los Angeles. However, even after the team filled out the rest of its roster, no one else can fill the role as a sharpshooter that Ellington can. Whether he can do enough other things on the court — namely play defense — will be determined this season but there is always a market and space on a team for someone with Ellington’s skillset.

Regardless of what his role may be this season, Ellington’s return to Los Angeles is one that both he and the Lakers are excited about, a great first sign in a successful partnership.

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