Lakers News And Rumors Recap: Roster Cuts Coming Down To The Wire?
Metta World Peace Says Luke Walton Is ‘perfect’ For Lakers Coaching Job
Jeff Chiu-AP Photo

Only two preseason games remain on the schedule for the Los Angeles Lakers and 17 players are still on the team’s roster. The Lakers will need to cut at least two more players to get down to the maximum of 15 the NBA allows before the regular season starts on Oct. 26 and the decision has become a tough one for new head coach Luke Walton.

Walton admitted on Monday that he still has no idea which two players will be sent packing in order to get down to 15 making the final two preseason games intriguing, to say the least. The battle for the final roster spot comes down to Metta World Peace, Yi Jianlian, and Thomas Robinson.

Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton, left, shakes hands with Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace during an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton, left, shakes hands with Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace during an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

All three of these veteran players have legitimate reasons for why they should be the final player kept on the team. World Peace is a seasoned veteran and an extension of Walton on the floor as well as in the locker room. Jianlian possesses the skill set to stretch the defense as a seven-footer. Robinson is all hustle and a player that can be counted to be a monster on the boards on a nightly basis.

Although each player has something different the team can use during the upcoming season, Robinson might tilt the scales a bit more than World Peace and Jianlian. Robinson is still a young player at 25 and could resurrect his career with the Lakers as an energy guy off the bench while the 37-year-old World Peace isn’t the same player he used to be and Jianlian hasn’t been all that impressive in the time he’s had on the floor.

These three players will get their chances to make a case for the final spot when the Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors for a second time on Wednesday and then finish their preseason stint on Oct. 21 against the Phoenix Suns.

Lakers Nation News

Luke Walton On Jordan Clarkson: ‘Much More Than An Energy Guy’

Lakers News: Luke Walton Still Doesn’t Know Which Two Players Will Be Cut

Lakers Video: D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram Reiterate Luke Walton’s Excitement In Practice

Lakers News: Luke Walton Remains Non-Commital About Jordan Clarkson Starting Vs. Warriors

Lakers News: Luke Walton Has Been Impressed With Thomas Robinson

Lakers News: Draymond Green Says Julius Randle Can Be ‘Better’ Than Him

Lakers News

Nick Young Hopes His New Effort On Defense Earns Him A Spot In Lakers’ Rotation – LA Times

Brandon Ingram’s Confidence Hasn’t Wavered As He Adjusts To The NBA – LA Times

Lakers’ Luke Walton Looks Northward In Developing Coaching Style – LA Times

Lakers Welcome Maximum Eight Preseason Games For Extra Evaluation – OC Register

Kerr: Walton Will Be A Success With The Lakers – OC Register

Warriors’ Draymond Green Says Lakers’ Julius Randle ‘Has Potential’ To Be Better Than Him – OC Register

Lakers Already Making Strides Under Luke Walton – Basketball Insiders

Nick Young is Playing Himself Onto The Final Roster – Forum Blue & Gold

NBA News And Rumors

Who Will Win NBA MVP? – Pro Basketball Talk

Celtics’ Thomas: “If You Don’t Have Kobe Or Shaq Or Michael Jordan, The Triangle Doesn’t Work” – Pro Basketball Talk

Report: NBA, Players’ Union To Meet Wednesday To Continue Promising CBA Talks – Pro Basketball Talk

Giant LeBron Banner Gets Championship Upgrade – ESPN

Kings Meet With Lawson, Clear Him To Rejoin Team – ESPN

Bucks Trade Carter-Williams To Bulls For Snell – ESPN

Sources: Cavs, Smith Agree On 4 years, $57M – ESPN

The Rich Get Richer: Cavaliers, Warriors Both Add To Deep Well Of Talent – Sports Illustrated

NBA Free Agency 2017: Who Will Cash In Next Year? – Sports Illustrated

Green Sounds Off On Pierce, Other Durant Critics – Sports Illustrated

You May Also Like

Byron Scott: Lakers ‘Don’t Trust Each Other On The Court’

Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers were dominated by the Golden State…

Matt Barnes Involved In An Altercation During Pro-Am Game

Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes was involved in an altercation during…

Lakers Do Not Make Any Moves At 2019-20 NBA Trade Deadline

Despite all of the trade rumors leading up to Feb. 6, Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately stood pat at the…

Nike Announces Lakers’ LeBron James, Space Jam Shoe & Apparel Collection Launching In July

There is no doubt that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is extremely frustrated after the disappointing end to this season…