Lakers News: Gary Payton II Assigned To South Bay
Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

The Los Angeles Lakers assigned Gary Payton II to South Bay, the affiliate announced Tuesday afternoon. Payton II signed a two-way contract with the Lakers on Jan. 15, three days after the team created a roster opening by waiving Vander Blue.

Payton II joined the Lakers as the team’s second player on a two-way contract, with Alex Caruso the other. He averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 assists in 11.4 minutes per game over 18 games the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Payton II thus far has appeared in two games for the Lakers, scoring a combined six points, grabbing two rebounds, dishing out four assists and blocking two shots over 18 minutes. He did not appear in either of their back-to-back wins.

In three games this season with the Wisconsin Herd of the G League, Payton II averaged 18.3 points, seven rebounds and 2.7 steals.

While the Lakers head into Tuesday’s game still without Lonzo Ball as he recovers from a left knee sprain, Alex Caruso has taken advantage of his opportunities. Tyler Ennis has started in place of Ball, which Lakers head coach Luke Walton didn’t seem inclined to change despite his ineffectiveness.

The earliest Payton II will see the court with South Bay is Friday, when they host the Windy City Bulls at the UCLA Health Training Center at 7 p.m. PT.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKER NATION FORUM CLUB

You May Also Like

Lakers News: HBO Picks Up LeBron James Talk Show, ‘The Shop’

LeBron James shook up the NBA landscape when he made the decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer…

Jeanie Buss Wants To See Lakers Return To NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a few rough years, easily marking the worst stretch in franchise history. Because…

Lakers News: Lonzo Ball Confident He Will Be ‘OK’ With Navigating Return From Offseason Knee Surgery

In the 2018-19 NBA season opener, a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton started Rajon Rondo instead of…

Rob Pelinka: Lakers Scouts ‘Doing Tons Of Film Study’ To Be ‘Well-Prepared’ For 2020 NBA Draft

It is still anyone’s guess as to whether or not the 2019-20 NBA season will eventually be finished, but one thing that will…