Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 27 – NBA Blog

Andrew Bynum seeks NBA comeback

Here’s NBC Sports Philadelphia discussing center Andrew Bynum, who reportedly seeks a return to NBA action. Which sounds to us like a longshot, but it’s fun to ponder, because Bynum was quite a character.

I have no idea what Andrew Bynum has been up to over the past few years. I’d guess he has made a trip or two to the King of Prussia Mall and maybe even hit up his local bowling alley. But now we know the former face of the Sixers’ franchise — for like 30 seconds! — has actually been spending time in a gym lately doing something he never did in a regular-season game for the 76ers.

Bynum has been playing basketball. The former NBA lottery pick and total bust in Philadelphia is attempting to make a comeback at the age of 30, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. He last played in the NBA in 2014 for the Indiana Pacers after quickly flaming out with the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier that season.

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Lakers, Luol Deng agree to buyout

The Los Angeles Lakers yesterday (Saturday) requested waivers on forward Luol Deng. This after the team and Deng agreed to a contract buyout.

“We want to thank Luol for his time with the Lakers,” said Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka. “We made this move to further our future salary cap and roster flexibility, as we continue to build this Lakers team according to our current overall vision.”

Acquired as a free agent in 2016, Deng appeared in 57 career games (50 starts) for the Lakers, averaging 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 26.3 minutes.

According to ESPN.com, “Luol Deng agreed to a significant give-back of $7.5 million in his contract buyout with the Los Angeles Lakers, clearing $38 million in salary cap space for 2019 free agency, league sources told ESPN. The Lakers can now offer a free-agent star a maximum contract in July to partner with LeBron James. The Lakers are targeting the top players in a potentially starry 2019 marketplace, including Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard, Golden State’s Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson and Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler.”

And according to the Daily Breeze, “Deng was one of the Lakers’ dubious legacies from a spending whirlwind in the 2016 offseason, and the former Bulls, Cavaliers and Heat forward never produced as hoped in Los Angeles after signing a four-year, $72 million deal. He averaged just 7.5 points per game in 57 total contests, playing only once last season as the Lakers sought minutes for a young core under a new front-office regime.”

On Kyle Kuzma getting to play alongside LeBron James

LeBron James is bringing his basketball legacy to Los Angeles. Young Laker talent like Kyle Kuzma is sure to benefit. Here’s Michigan Live reporting:

The four-time MVP has played in the Finals for eight straight years, winning the championship with Cleveland in 2016 after capturing back-to-back crowns with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.

Now, he’ll be wearing the same jersey as Kuzma, who will literally get to rub shoulders with one of the greatest players of all-time on a daily basis.

“I think it’s going to impact a lot,” Kuzma said Wednesday. “He’s the ultimate professional. He’s a guy that’s one of the first guys in the gym and one of the last ones to leave. Usually I say I’m the first one in the gym but he’s beaten me to the gym a couple times already.

“We’re both excited for the season. It’s going to be a great year for us. I kind of had a good hunch in my stomach he was going to come (to the Lakers). It’s good. Anytime you can play with one of the greatest players of all-time it’s going to bode well for you.”

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On LeBron James signing with the Lakers

It really happened. LeBron James took his talents to Hollywood. Well, near Hollywood. Staples Center is in downtown Los Angeles, not Hollywood. But whatever. Close enough. Here’s ESPN.com rounding up some commentary and reactions to the signing, made official earlier this month, becoming a reality:

“He wanted to come to L.A.,” one Western Conference player said. “They just had to not f— it up. Jerry West just said it, and I was like, ‘Finally.’ He’s not coming to the Lakers. He came to L.A.”

West, now an adviser for the LA Clippers, told Sports Illustrated that, “LeBron was not a tough free-agent signing.” While the player’s swipe — like West’s — was aimed more at the Lakers than at James, the four-time MVP also had his motives for the move questioned.

“My thought was, ‘Good luck. You must really want to live in L.A.'” one prominent agent said. “Playing Western Conference teams night in and night out is not going to be the same. You don’t get a ‘night off.’ I would not want to end my career just making the playoffs.”

James’ streak of eight straight NBA Finals appearances would seem to be on life support with his switch from the East to the West. The Lakers’ success, or lack thereof, will largely depend on how quickly L.A.’s young core — some combination of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart — develops around James.

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Lakers sign Travis Wear to two-way contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Travis Wear to a two-way contract, it was announced today by General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Wear played in 17 games for the Lakers in 2017-18, averaging 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game. Signed mid-season from the South Bay Lakers, Wear notched 16.7 points (.445 FG%, .419 3P%), 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 33 G League games (29 starts) last season.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have up to two players under two-way contracts on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster.

Lakers sign Michael Beasley

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Michael Beasley.

The agreement had been reported earlier in July, but the signing became an official transaction today. According to the Los Angeles Times, the deal is for one year, $3.5 million.

Beasley played in 74 games (30 starts) for the Knicks last season, averaging 13.2 points (.507 FG%), 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game. Named to the 2008-09 All-Rookie First Team, Beasley has appeared in 583 career games (236 starts) for the HEAT, Timberwolves, Suns, Rockets, Bucks and Knicks, with averages of 12.7 points (.464 FG%), 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.4 minutes.

“Michael adds another component of versatility to our deep roster,” said Pelinka. “His length and ability to guard multiple positions, stretch the floor, play-make and create his own shot are all essential characteristics for us. Coming off one of the finest years of his career, we think Michael is poised to have a very exciting and strong season for us.”

More from the Los Angeles Times: “Beasley joins a rebuilt roster headlined by LeBron James, along with three other veteran additions the Lakers signed to one-year deals: guards Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson and center JaVale McGee. The Lakers also brought back guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a second one-year deal. They’ll join a young group led by second-year players Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart, and third-year forward Brandon Ingram.”

A native of Prince George’s County, MD, Beasley went on to play one season collegiately at Kansas State, earning consensus First Team All-America honors in 2007-08. The Big 12 Player of the year started all 33 games, tallying 26.2 points (.532 FG%), an NCAA-leading 12.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per game.

Lakers sign Johnathan Williams

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Johnathan Williams today.

We assume that this is a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Williams to training camp.

Williams played in seven Vegas Summer League games for the Lakers, and averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game.

In college playing for Gonzaga last season, Williams averaged 13.4 points (.563 FG%), 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in 29.2 minutes and was a First Team All-WCC honoree.

Williams also made the 2017 All-WCC First Team. He also represented Team USA in the FIBA U16 and U17 World Championships in 2011 and 2012, winning two gold medals.

Lakers sign Jeffrey Carroll

The Lakers signed guard/forward Jeffrey Carroll today.

In 118 career games (77 starts) for Oklahoma State from 2014-18, Carroll averaged 12.0 points (.451 FG%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.1 minutes per game. As a senior last season, Carroll notched 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.7 minutes.

Carroll most recently played in six Las Vegas Summer League games for the Lakers, notching 4.2 points (.480 FG%) and 2.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game.

Lakers sign Joel Berry II

The Lakers signed guard Joel Berry II today.

Berry II was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 NCAA Final Four after leading North Carolina to a National Championship. As a senior last season, Berry II earned First Team All-ACC honors with averages of 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per game. The Orlando, FL native played in 144 career games (112 starts) for the Tar Heels, notching 12.7 points (.420 FG%), 3.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 27.6 minutes per game.

Lakers sign JaVale McGee

The Lakers’ signing of center JaVale McGee became official today. It’s reportedly a one-year deal.

McGee appeared in 65 games (17 starts) for Golden State last season, tallying 4.8 points (.621 FG%) and 2.6 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game. The seven-footer has played in 558 career games (187 starts) for Washington, Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas and Golden State, with averages of 7.5 points (.559 FG%), 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 16.7 minutes.

“JaVale changes the geometry of the game,” said Pelinka. “His unique combination of incredible length and foot nimbleness will allow us to play fast at both ends. His ability to both protect the rim and create angles with rim rolls will present a number of advantages in Coach Walton’s system.”

A 10-year NBA veteran, McGee won back-to-back championships as a member of the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 and has appeared in 44 NBA playoff games (12 starts), averaging 6.5 points (.610 FG%), 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 14.0 minutes.

Selected by Washington with the 18th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, McGee averaged 8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 66 career games (31 starts) at the University of Nevada, Reno.