Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 14 – NBA Blog

Lakers sign head coach Frank Vogel to contract extension

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed head coach Frank Vogel to a contract extension, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Vogel, the 27th head coach in Lakers franchise history and the 23rd in the Los Angeles era, has amassed a 94-49 regular season record in two seasons with the team. He has tallied a record of 18-9 in the postseason, while leading the franchise to it’s 17th NBA Championship in 2020.

In the shortened 71-game 2019-2020 season, Vogel’s team finished first in the conference with a 52-19 record, earning the franchise it’s 24th Pacific Division title. He earned Western Conference Coach of the Month honors for October/November after a franchise record-tying 17-2 start to the season. The team shot a league-leading 48.0 percent from the field and tallied 13 consecutive road victories, tied for the third-best road streak all-time.

Los Angeles went on to set an NBA record by defeating 18 consecutive conference opponents on the road. Vogel guided the team to a birth in the NBA Finals by winning the first three playoff series in five games apiece. In game six of the NBA Finals, the Lakers became the third team in the last 50 seasons to clinch an NBA title in a wire-to-wire win, leading the HEAT by as many as 36 points in the contest.

Vogel also led the Lakers to the league’s No. 1 ranked defense last season, which is the third time in Vogel’s career that he has led his team to the No. 1 ranking.

Lakers re-sign Talen Horton-Tucker

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed guard Talen Horton-Tucker, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

In 65 games (four starts) last season, Horton-Tucker averaged 9.0 points (.458 FG%), 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 20.1 minutes per game. Horton-Tucker scored in double figures 27 times last season and tallied four double-doubles.

Lakers sign Malik Monk

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Malik Monk, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Monk appeared in 42 games for the Hornets last season, averaging a career-high 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 20.9 minutes, while shooting a career-best 40.1 percent (85-212 3FG) from three-point range. Last season, Monk was just one of four reserves to have multiple games with at least 30 points.

In four seasons with Charlotte, Monk played in 233 games (one start) with career averages of 9.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.8 minutes. In one season at Kentucky, Monk was named the SEC Player of the Year and received All-SEC First Team honors after averaging 19.8 points (.450 FG%, .397 3P%), 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his lone collegiate season.

Lakers sign forward Trevor Ariza

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Trevor Ariza, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Entering his 18th NBA season, Ariza owns career averages of 10.5 points (.352 3P%), 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals through 1,094 games (758 starts) with New York, Orlando, Houston, New Orleans, Washington, Phoenix, Sacramento, Portland, Miami and the Lakers. He currently ranks fifth among active players in steals, totaling 1,615 career takeaways.

Ariza appeared in 30 games (27 starts) with Miami last season, where he averaged 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.0 minutes. He returns to Los Angeles after averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals from 2007-09 and helping the Lakers win the 2009 NBA Championship.

Lakers sign guard Wayne Ellington

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Wayne Ellington.

Ellington appeared in 46 games (31 starts) for the Pistons last season, averaging 9.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.0 minutes, while shooting 42.2 percent (116-275 3FG) from three-point range. Ellington returns to Los Angeles after averaging 10.0 points (.370 3P%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 65 games for the Lakers during the 2014-15 season.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Ellington has played in 727 games (197 starts) for Minnesota, Memphis, Cleveland, Dallas, Brooklyn, Miami, Detroit, New York and the Lakers, holding career averages of 8.1 points (.382 3P%), 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.0 minutes per game. Ellington has shot at least 37 percent from three-point range in nine seasons, including two seasons in which he shot better than 42 percent from beyond the arc.

Lakers waive forward Alfonzo McKinnie

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Alfonzo McKinnie.

McKinnie appeared in 39 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game. He has played in 165 career regular season games (six starts) for the Raptors, Warriors, Cavaliers and Lakers, holding career averages of 4.0 points (.475 FG%) and 2.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes.

Lakers sign Joel Ayayi and Austin Reaves to two-way contracts

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guards Joel Ayayi and Austin Reaves to two-way contracts.

Ayayi appeared in 32 games (31 starts) for Gonzaga last season, averaging 12.0 points (.575 FG%, .389 3P%), 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.3 minutes. The 2020-21 All-WCC First Team honoree ranked third in the conference in true shooting percentage (.665) and scored in double figures 21 times last season. In three seasons at Gonzaga, Ayayi averaged 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 88 career games and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2020 WCC Tournament.

Reaves appeared in 25 games (all starts) for Oklahoma last season, averaging 18.3 points (.443 FG%, .305 3P%), 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 34.5 minutes. The 2020-21 All-Big 12 First Team selection led the conference in free throws made (147) and ranked fifth in true shooting percentage (.579) last season. In four years at Oklahoma and Wichita State, Reaves averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 34.7 percent (156-449 3FG) from three-point range.

Wizards and Lakers discussing a Russell Westbrook trade

Russell Westbrook, and the triple-doubles that he provides, could be on the move. Via the OC Register:

As we approach the 2021 NBA draft, which begins at 5 p.m, reports about possible deals abound. The Lakers are reportedly in talks for a deal that would bring Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles.

USC forward Evan Mobley will be among the NBA draft prospects expected to hear his name called early Thursday evening. The former Rancho Christian High big man is a potential top-three pick and has impacted winning at all stops in his career

Per ESPN.com:

Los Angeles Lakers are nearing a deal with the Washington Wizards to acquire Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 draft pick, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Harrell has opted into his $9.7 million player option for next season, paving the way for the potential deal.

Lakers extend qualifying offer to Talen Horton-Tucker

The Los Angeles Lakers have extended a qualifying offer to Talen Horton-Tucker, it was announced today.

As a result of the qualifying offer, Horton-Tucker will become a restricted free agent.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “Horton-Tucker, who was drafted 46th overall in 2019, averaged 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 65 games last season. The 6-foot-4 wing shot 45.8% from the field and 77.5% from the free-throw line but only 28.2% from three-point range.”

Lakers reportedly in search of new head trainer

The Lakers are reportedly in search of someone new to handle an incredibly important job. Via the ESPN.com:

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market to hire a new head athletic trainer after injuries ravaged their 2020-21 season.

Nina Hsieh, promoted to head trainer two years ago, did not have her contract renewed, sources told ESPN.

Hsieh worked for the franchise for more than a decade, beginning as the head athletic trainer in charge of the health and wellness program for the Lakers’ G League affiliate then working as an assistant trainer for the Lakers before taking over as head athletic trainer in August 2019.