Without a pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t expected to make an impact by acquiring rookies. Ultimately, the Lakers selected Darius Johnson-Odom and Robert Sacre with the two picks the team had at their disposal. Neither player was expected to make the roster–even before the Lakers made the deal to bring in Chris Duhon, Earl Clark and Dwight Howard.
With a need for a scoring punch off the bench at a discount price, Johnson-Odom was an intriguing prospect for the Lakers. Unfortunately, it remains doubtful that the Marquette product will make the final roster with one or two cuts left to be made.
Sacre, on the other hand, seems to be the only newcomer the Lakers are leaning towards retaining with high praise from Lakers coach Mike Brown via Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com:
“He’s learning, he’s growing,” Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “He did some good things and he didn’t do some good things. So, it’s both. But I’ll tell you what, the experience that he’s getting now is invaluable for him. He’s got a big body, he’s not afraid, he’s going to play hard, he’s pretty smart for a rookie. But he’s playing with some guys who are helping him out too. They’re helping him look pretty good out there and he’s taking advantage of it.”
There is only one preseason game left for the Lakers, against the Sacramento Kings, in San Diego on Thursday night. Consequently, the window of opportunity is closing quickly for players trying to earn a spot on the final roster.
Sacre is among the players on the hot seat heading into the final preseason game, along with Johnson-Odom and Andrew Goudelock. All players have non-guaranteed contracts and are considered expendable.
There remains a chance that the Lakers will keep two of the three players mentioned above, but the consensus has been that only one will be retained, with Sacre being the clear favorite.
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In case you missed it: Dwight Howard talks about his Lakers debut.
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