With so many new pieces added to the team on non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts, the battles for the last couple of roster spots on the Lakers has been very interesting to watch. After releasing Darius Johnson-Odom while in China, the Lakers are down to 16 players on the roster and have to get rid of at least one more before the season starts.
However, the Lakers may not stop there. Our own Lakers Nation Reporter Serena Winters says that the Lakers might not carry the maximum number of players on the opening night roster:
D’Antoni said he wasn’t sure whether the Lakers would carry a 14 or 15 man roster going into the regular season
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 21, 2013
Marcus Landry, Ryan Kelly, Elias Harris, and Xavier Henry are all fighting for the last couple of roster spots, so if the Lakers decide to only have 14 on the roster, it lessens the chance even more of one of these guys making the team.
Kelly, as a second round draft pick, is one of those on a non-guaranteed deal. He is fighting for his roster spot, and he knows it:
“There’s no deadline. There’s no cut date, I’m a un-guaranteed guy. That cut date just moves back if I make it thru this one.” – Ryan Kelly
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 21, 2013
One of them has to go, but no one knows who that guy will be as of now. But with the possibility of an additional player being cut as well, look for all of these guys to play like their job is on the line, because it is.
———————————————————————————-
Check Out Kobe Sprinting and Shooting Jump Shots In Shanghai