After reaching an agreement with former Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Lakers had to clear cap space in order to sign him. Consequently, second-year wing David Nwaba was waived on Wednesday, with the hope that he would clear waivers and the Lakers could bring him back afterwards.
The Lakers won’t get that chance, however, as the Chicago Bulls claimed Nwaba off waivers, according to The Vertical’s Shams Charania.
The Chicago Bulls have claimed Lakers free agent David Nwaba off waivers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2017
Nwaba spent the majority of last season in the D-League (now called the G-League) with the D-Fenders before being given two 10-day contracts with the Lakers and eventually being signed to a two-year contract.
In just 20 games with the club, Nwaba averaged six points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the floor. The 6-foot-4 wing proved himself to be one of the best defenders on the team with a combination of physicality and versatility on that end.
During his run with the Lakers this summer league Nwaba had continued his strong play defensively from last season while building rapport with rookie Lonzo Ball. In three games this summer he averaged 9.7 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor.
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