The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of decisions to make with free agency just beginning, but one that was approaching quickly was what to do with center Tarik Black.
Black’s contract would become guaranteed on July 4 and the Lakers had to decide whether or not they wanted to pay him the $6.6 million he would be owed. Today the Lakers announced that they have waived Black:
The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on forward/center Tarik
Black, it was announced today by General Manager Rob Pelinka.
When considering the moves the Lakers have already made this offseason, waiving Black doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Quite frankly the Lakers are extremely crowded in the frontcourt and there simply wasn’t much room for Black.
The Lakers acquired Brook Lopez in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. They also drafted Kyle Kuzma and Thomas Bryant, both of whom are bigs as well. When combined with the returning Ivica Zubac, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance Jr there just wasn’t an opportunity for Black.
The Lakers acquired Black off waivers during the 2015 season from the Houston Rockets. He quickly made a name for himself with his energy and athleticism, despite being undersized for the center position.
Anytime Black was in the game he gave everything he had, constantly crashing the glass, altering shots at the rim, and throwing down monsterous dunks. Unfortunately he will now have to find a new home, but there is little doubt he will pop up somewhere else.
Last season Black averaged 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 67 games with the Lakers.
