Taurean Prince developed into a somewhat polarizing figure among fans of the Los Angeles Lakers this season. He began the season in the starting lineup, and then-head coach Darvin Ham leaned on him. He was logging 30.4 minutes a game through his first 47 games of the season.
Some fans hated the fact he was playing so much, especially given how lackluster defensively he was.
In February, Ham pivoted and went with Rui Hachimura in the starting lineup while moving Prince to the bench. As a result, Prince’s playing time was significantly reduced, but he still found a way to help the team.
The forward ended up shooting 39.6% from 3-point range for the season, which was just off his preseason goal of shooting 40% from that distance.
In an interview with Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation, Prince, who will be a free agent this summer, said he wants to remain with the Purple and Gold.
Lakers forward Taurean Prince set the record straight on what he wants to happen in free agency, via @LakersNation: pic.twitter.com/GjNVInnicI
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) May 28, 2024
“My family, the quality of life in Los Angeles is something that myself and my family haven’t had in probably three or four seasons,” Prince said. “So to stay here would be definitely number one. If not that, then I mean, wherever the dominoes fall and wherever it’s best, that’s where I’ll be. But I for sure want to be a Laker, 100%.”
Although the Lakers finished the regular season eighth in 3-point shooting percentage, they were 28th in 3-point attempts. Therefore, they cannot really afford to lose a good outside shooter such as Prince without securing a solid replacement.