The Los Angeles Lakers have yet again added to their frontcourt after reportedly signing Chinese big man Yi Jianlian last week. Zach Auguste, who played for the team’s summer league squad, has reached a deal to remain in purple and gold according to Eric Pinus of Baskeball Insiders:
I hear the Lakers have a deal with Zach Auguste, who played for the summer league squad, haven’t gotten word on terms
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 21, 2016
Auguste was a fan-favorite in college, spending all four years playing for Mike Brey at Notre Dame. The big man averaged 10 points per game and had plenty of highlight-worthy plays:
Auguste was added to the Lakers’ summer league squad after going undrafted. In Vegas, he showed some flashes of potential but also seemed to get lost on defense. Pincus, a salary cap specialist, speculated that Auguste’s deal is likely not guaranteed, meaning the former Fighting Irish is probably destined for the D-League in the near future.
In theory, the Lakers should have enough cap room left to sign Auguste to a partially-guaranteed 3yr deal, but I’m speculating here
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 21, 2016
In 4 Summer League games w/Lakers, Auguste averaged 5.3 PPG, 4 RPG – but not about the numbers, a solid 23-yr old prospect to try & develop
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 21, 2016
If Auguste does make the team, he’ll join *gulp* prized free agent signing Timofey Mozgov, Tarik Black, the aforementioned Yi (whose deal, like Auguste’s, has yet to be announced by the Lakers), and youngsters Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., and Ivica Zubac in the Lakers’ frontcourt. Either way, he becomes the latest in a growing list of young Lakers to watch as the once-proud franchise rebuilds its core.
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