The Los Angeles Lakers will sign David Nwaba of the L.A. D-Fenders to a 10-day contract.
Nwaba went undrafted in 2016 out of Cal Poly.
The Los Angeles Lakers will sign David Nwaba of the L.A. D-Fenders to a 10-day contract.
Nwaba went undrafted in 2016 out of Cal Poly.
The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Jose Calderon.
Calderon is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors once he clears waivers.
According to Chris Hayes of ESPN, there was internal support for the Warriors to sign Brandon Jennings but they were too far along with Calderon to change courses. Jennings was waived by the New York Knicks on Monday.
The Los Angeles Lakers' players are already feeling the presence of Magic Johnson, who was part of a front office regime change this week.
Johnson was on the road with the Lakers in Oklahoma City over the past two days.
“It’s like you’re starting over and trying to impress,” said D'Angelo Russell.
“Everybody has to look over their shoulders once again. It’s like coming to a new team. You try to impress the GMs and the guys in the front office with your play and off the court, the way you handle yourself. It’s just all different.”
Luke Walton has also welcomed Johnson's presence and input at practice.
While the future of Paul George wasn't decided at the deadline, his preference of options became somewhat clear.
George will strongly consider signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 if the Indiana Pacers aren't in contention for a title.
"Here's the issue with Paul George: he's made it clear that if he's going to leave Indiana, he's going home to L.A.," said Wojnarowski. "He grew up in southern California. Big Kobe Bryant fan. His dad is a big Magic Johnson fan. Obviously Magic is running the organization now.
"The direction that I was told that the Lakers got in the last couple of days was 'hey, don't gut your team to go get Paul George.'
"Magic Johnson did lob a call to Larry Bird, but if you're the Lakers and you don't have a tremendous amount of assets, they have some young players they hope will develop. They're going to sit back and wait to sign him as a free agent. They're going to have cap space in 2018.
"If they were to try to trade for him, they would have to give up the core of their team and Paul George is going to have no one to play with there.
"I think this is how the Pacers are looking at this. All things being equal, they know that Paul George would rather be in L.A., but they are not equal."
If George doesn't qualify for the supermax contract, the Pacers can sign him to a five-year, $180 million deal while a rival team can sign him to a four-year, $132 million deal.
The Nuggets were essentially warned that George will sign with the Lakers in 2018 if they trade for him.
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade Marcelo Huertas to the Houston Rockets for Tyler Ennis.
The Rockets will waive Huertas to clear more cap room for the buyout market.
Paul George has been clear his preference is to remain with the Indiana Pacers if they can become title contenders but signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 is his Plan B.
George's priorities with his immediate future have made other teams hesitant to trade for him. George won't commit long-term to teams beyond the Pacers and Lakers.
George recently met with Pacers' owner Herb Simon for a cordial conversation about his future.
The Pacers are pursuing two paths as they look to improve their roster around George while also listening to trade offers.
The Philadelphia 76ers have had discussions with 10 or 11 teams on a trade for Jahlil Okafor.
The New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls were teams that had expressed some interest but the Bulls and Nuggets are no longer interested while the Blazers and Pelicans have made trades for centers.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings are possible trading partners for Okafor.
“I’m happy here,” Okafor said when asked if he wants a new start with a different team. “I’ve been here. This is all I know as far as the NBA goes. I’ve gotten real comfortable with the coaches, and my teammates. If I’m here, I’d be more than happy.”
Keith Pompey/Philadelphia Daily News
The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking a second round pick for Nick Young at the deadline.
Young was a buyout candidate last offseason but he's recouped his value this season under Luke Walton.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of several teams to inquire to the Indiana Pacers about the availability of Paul George.
The conversation didn't advance beyond the initial expression of interest, but it was notable due to the fact Magic Johnson and Larry Bird spoke to each other on the call.
Johnson was named President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers on Tuesday.
Johnson also addressed the Lakers' players and coaches when they reported for practice Wednesday afternoon.
"Magic came down and talked to the team," Luke Walton said. "He wanted to come down and, first of all, say hi to everyone and let them know that he's here to support and be there for them. It was a quick meeting, but it's good to get in front of each other.
"It was a strange day because I am very close with Jimmy and Mitch and I really enjoyed working with them," Walton continued. "I had great talks with both of them on the telephone afterwards. They were both very supportive. Both gave the message of continue to work, keep working with the young guys. It was definitely a little sad. I think it's important to remember all the great things they did when they were here, too.
"Then, on the other hand, you have Earvin coming in and he's in there and he's making phone calls. It was great to work with him. It was a unique, interesting day in terms of the emotions going on. But the main thing everyone talked about was 'We have a job to do still.'"
Magic Johnson's decision to hire Rob Pelinka as general manager without conducting an interview process came as a disappointment to many qualified African-American executives employed with other teams.
“It’s always done in private and way in advance,” one high-ranking black NBA team executive said. “We got no shot once the news breaks.”
Another high-ranking black NBA team executive said: “I was surprised.”
Pelinka is best known as the longtime agent for Kobe Bryant.
“Los Angeles has always been about hype,” one high-ranking black NBA team executive said. “Kobe obviously had influence in getting Pelinka pushed through the door.”
“I heard that this was coming,” another high-ranking black NBA team executive said. “He has a real connection with Kobe.”
Of the eight high-ranking African-American NBA team executives The Undefeated spoke to, none expressed any malicious intent toward Johnson or Pelinka. They did all say, however, that they would have appreciated an opportunity to interview for the job.
“We just want to compete. Guys with practical basketball experience, that’s what it’s about. Don’t give me anything. We just want to compete,” one high-ranking black NBA team executive said.
“Nothing surprises me in this business,” one high-ranking black NBA team executive said. “Analytic guys getting jobs. Coaches being named executives. Now it’s the agents’ turn. Everyone except the people who have the practical basketball experience are getting shots.”