The Los Angeles Lakers waived David Nwaba on Wednesday, the team announced. Nwaba, who was on a non-guaranteed contract, was cut from the roster in order to clear the necessary cap space to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to his reported 18 million dollar contract.
Nwaba was a call-up from the NBA D-League last year, appearing in 20 games. His defensive acumen and knack for getting to the rim placed him on both the All-Rookie and All-Defense teams in the development league.
Nwaba had been playing in Summer League with the Lakers, showing fortitude as one of the team’s strongest players. With the Lakers last season, the shooting guard averaged six points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Any team in the NBA can claim Nwaba off waivers and take his cap hit and contract away from the Lakers. What Los Angeles is likely hoping for is that no one does, clearing the way for the team to sign him to a long-term deal using its exceptions to go over the cap. Nwaba was the only non-guaranteed contract on the team, making him the only candidate for such a decision.
The Lakers, albeit under previous management, have experience doing this as they waived former point guard Kendall Marshall in a similar move. However, they never had the opportunity to re-sign the guard.
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