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.
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
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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
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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