Injuries forced the Lakers to bring up D-League star Manny Harris from their affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Though Harris has played well in limited time, tonight will be his last game with the team, as the Lakers will not sign Harris to another contract, as first reported by the OC Register’s Bill Oram:
Lakers have told Manny Harris that he will not receive another contract (already signed 2 10 days). Tonight vs TWolves will be his last game
— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) February 5, 2014
This move shouldn’t come as a surprise. Harris had already signed two 10-day contracts so the Lakers would have had to sign him for the rest of the season, and the team wasn’t willing to do that. Not to mention, with a somewhat healthy roster, there is no room for Harris.
Steve Blake and Steve Nash will both make their return tonight, while Jordan Farmar will come back tomorrow. With Xavier Henry and Kobe Bryant likely to return within a month, and Nick Young and Jodie Meeks playing exceptional basketball, Harris would have been hard-pressed to be on the active roster, let alone get regular minutes.
Harris will eventually land somewhere as he is far too talented to not make an NBA roster at some point. He is a hard nosed player who isn’t afraid to take his shot when he sees it.
In eight games, Harris averaged seven points and three rebounds for the Lakers.
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