The Lakers have made their first set of cuts in the preseason, trimming the roster from 20 players to 18. The team announced on Monday that they have released VJ Beachem and Stephen Zimmerman.
Neither player contributed much in the Lakers’ three preseason games. Beachem played only four minutes against the Nuggets on Wednesday. The rookie scored two points and recorded one assist.
Zimmerman played three minutes in the preseason. The sophomore big man recorded two points, one rebound, and one assist in his limited playing time.
Zimmerman returned to Las Vegas with the Lakers on Sunday. He formerly grew up in Vegas, where he also was a standout freshman for UNLV before declaring for the NBA Draft. Zimmerman spoke at length about the recent tragic mass shooting in his hometown before the Lakers game against the Kings. The proceeds of that game were donated to families of the victims of the shooting.
The Lakers now have 18 players remaining on the roster. They will have to trim that number by at least one more before the start of the season. 15 players will be guaranteed spots on the parent roster with up to two players given two-way contracts that place them in between the team and its G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. So far, Alex Caruso is the only player on a two-way contract.
The last remaining spot, likely for a two-way as Andrew Bogut is expected to secure the 15th spot on the main roster, will potentially be given to Vander Blue or Briante Weber, the two remaining Lakers on training camp deals.
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