Jodie Meeks eyes potential NBA return with Los Angeles Lakers

Former Kentucky star Jodie Meeks is eyeing a return to the league, with the Los Angeles Lakers seen as a potential landing spot.

In an interview with Sideline Sources, the 10-year veteran says he’s hoping to provide an NBA team a strong shooting threat off the bench while also helping a locker room as a veteran presence. With the Lakers in need of a roster reset, a return to Los Angeles is a favorable option.

“Most definitely. I really enjoyed my two years with the Lakers, so reuniting would be something that I’d be more than happy to do,” Meeks said. “Aside from being a great locker room presence, I can clearly add shooting, and I’m also a hard-nosed defender. I can come in and give that extra effort off the bench that everybody saw they needed last season. Every team can use a shooter that can make shots for their superstars.”

Meeks won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, his most recent stint in the league. He has since played with Toronto’s G League affiliate, the Raptors 905, but is now looking for a job. At 34 years old, he feels like he still has more left in the tank.

“I bring a high level of professionalism and I’m battle-tested,” Meeks said. “Obviously, my ace card is shooting; I’ve always been one of the best at that. I bring a lot of other things to the table, though. I’m an excellent locker room presence and I’m somebody that can mentor younger players, show them the ropes and teach them how to have a long career. A guy with that type of knowledge, whether it’s a coach or a player, is always valuable. I remember being a rookie and looking up to those types of teammates because they did things the right way.

“I’ve been through pretty much everything — the 15th man on a roster, starter, even the sixth man; outside the rotation and even traded multiple times. As a mentor, I could help young players through good and bad times. I know what it takes to keep your mind right and stay even keel.”

The former Kentucky standout was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and later played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors. 10 years, seven different teams. In that span, he’s averaged 9.3 points per game on 42.0% shooting and 37.3% shooting from three. His best season came with the Lakers in 2013-14 when he averaged 15.7 points on 46.3% shooting and 40.1% from three.

It’s been a solid, consistent career for a former second-round draft selection. If another opportunity in the league doesn’t come and his time in the NBA comes to a close, he’s proud of the journey he’s had.

“I played 10 seasons in the league, and I feel like I overachieved,” he said. “I was drafted in the second round — should’ve been a first-round pick but ultimately was not. So I want to be remembered as someone who got the most out of themselves, showed up to work every day, and never cheated the game. I was always asking my teammates how I could get better and appreciated any advice I could get. When I first came into the league, I just wanted to be respected by my veterans and peers, and working hard was the only way to earn that. I feel as if I accomplished that.

“If I don’t play another game in the league, it’s okay because I had a pretty good career.”