The Lakers currently have 18 players on their training camp roster after the additions of Travis Wear and Julian Jacobs. That leaves two spots for camp. Additionally, if Nick Young is waived as expected, there will be one spot open for the regular season roster.
What the Lakers will do with that spot is a mystery. They could sign one of the young players going to camp with them (Zach Auguste would be the likeliest candidate) or they could look for more veteran help.
If the Lakers do decide on bringing in a more established player, it appears Carl Landry could be a candidate, at least according to Darren Wolfson of Minnesota’s 5 Eyewitness News.
Agree that he'll help someone. Hear Rockets, Spurs, Lakers, Pacers among those interested. No #Twolves, as of now. https://t.co/1n8KzfvwOo
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 3, 2016
Landry may be on the Lakers’ list of final targets but the fit might not be exactly great. As a power forward, Landry would be caught in a logjam that includes Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr. – not to mention whatever minutes Luol Deng plays at his better position.
Landry effectively did that last season, playing in only 36 games for the woeful Philadelphia 76ers. But when teams like the Spurs are also interested in his services, it seems more likely that he would join them to at least have a chance of winning a significant number of games.
If Landry does decide on the Lakers, however, he could be a welcome addition. He has played nine seasons in the NBA and could provide some of the veteran leadership that a young team needs.
Landry was also effective in his spot minutes last season, putting up 22.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per 36 minutes. Of course, per 36 statistics are very much skewed for someone who played under 16 minutes per game. But it is promising that he was productive when he did see the floor.
We’ll have to wait and see if Carl Landry eventually joins the Lakers (the team may want to wait until after training camp to gauge their other options). If he does, he would be doing so with the guarantee that he will see limited playing time.
