UPDATE 11/14/14 (12:36 PM PT): According to Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding, Majok was flown in for a workout with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, not the Lakers:
Was a D-Fenders tryout, not Lakers. MT @LakersNation: Who remembers Ater Majok? Lakers rumored to fly in former 2nd-round pick for workout.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) November 14, 2014
With the Los Angeles Lakers still short on bodies, the team has been exploring a couple of options to help fill out a roster that continues to struggle with injuries.
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Earlier this week, it was reported that the team would workout former Denver Nuggets forward Quincy Miller, and now the team has reportedly flown in former second round pick Ater Majok for workouts according to Real GM’s Shams Charania:
RealGM Sources: The Los Angeles Lakers have flown in 2011 second rounder, 6-11 Ater Majok, from China for workouts. http://t.co/Q8zWxUPDOL
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 12, 2014
The Lakers dressed only 10 players in their loss against the New Orleans Pelicans. With Ryan Kelly still struggling with his hamstring and Wayne Ellington away from the team indefinitely, the Lakers are really thin at forward.
Bringing in Majok, whom the team drafted with the 58th pick in 2011 would be a low-risk proposition that could help the team’s depth. He is a 6’11 forward with good athleticism and the ability to play both forward positions.
The Lakers do still have the disabled player exception because of the Julius Randle injury that they could use to sign him. The other issue is that the Lakers are at the maximum of 15 contracts on the team which means someone would have to be waived. The most likely candidates would be the non-guaranteed deals of Wayne Ellington or Ronnie Price, but both have been contributors this year.
Nick Young is hoping to return next week and he will give the Lakers a much needed boost, but the Lakers are exploring all possible options to improve their team and this is just another example of that.
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