The Los Angeles Lakers still have three open roster spots, even when including the two-way contracts for Austin Reaves and Joel Ayayi and what are likely to be training camp contracts given to Mac McClung and Chaundee Brown. We now may have an idea of what the Lakers do with those three roster spots, as Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that that the team has already worked out Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison, and Mike James for potential spots on the team.
Yahoo Sources: Los Angeles Lakers are in search of depth and have worked out Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison and Mike James for potential roster spot with Thomas just concluding working out personally with LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. https://t.co/4QjSft01LI
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 17, 2021
In addition to stating that the Lakers have worked out those three players, Haynes also notes that Thomas had a individual workout with LeBron James and Russell Westbrook who have been spotted recently in Las Vegas working out and catching some Summer League ball.
Haynes also notes the following:
A signing is not imminent, sources said. The Lakers could also elect to bring players into training camp to fight for the last few roster spots.
The Lakers, who have 12 players under guaranteed contracts, will go into the 2021-22 season carrying 14 players in order to maintain flexibility, sources said. Each team can carry a maximum of 15 players and two two-way players.
A third point guard is a priority, sources said, along with potentially adding another wing.
With the Lakers looking for a third point guard (which they’d get in Isaiah Thomas and Darren Collison) and potentially another wing (Mike James), that leaves one to wonder about the future of long-time veteran Jared Dudley. Haynes doesn’t necessarily say out right that the team isn’t planning on bringing him back, but he does say the following:
And with the intention of signing two more players and leaving a roster spot open, it means Jared Dudley’s two-year tenure with the organization will likely come to an end.
As Haynes reported that the Lakers would plan to enter the season with one last open spot (as Rob Pelinka has done in the past), we’ll just have to wait and see if the two players they sign come from this three-player batch.
