The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a signing through the buyout market in the coming days but it’s their G League affiliate that is getting busy for now.
The South Bay Lakers have claimed NBA veteran Spencer Hawes off waivers, according to Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days. Hawes signed a G League contract on Thursday making him available to every team in the league.
Hawes is a 10-year NBA veteran with stops at six different franchises. He last played during the 2016-17 season for the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks. Known as a shooter, the big man made 35 percent of his 3-point attempts over the course of his career.
The Lakers still have an open roster spot after trading Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley to the Clippers for Mike Muscala. The team seems to have a need for a center given the absence of Zubac and the drop-off from JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler. They have been rumored to be interested in DeAndre Jordan if the Knicks buy the center out before Friday night’s deadline to be playoff eligible.
Hawes could potentially be an option down the road; the Lakers just have to sign before the end of the regular season for him to be eligible for the playoffs.
That said, he does not seem to make much sense for the Lakers. He has not played in a long time, a factor that has reportedly played into the franchise not signing Carmelo Anthony. He is also not the rim protector the reeling Lakers defense needs.
For now, this seems to be a move strictly for the G League Lakers and their push for the playoffs.
