The Los Angeles Lakers are actively surveying the landscape to eventually fill out the roster with more depth, and have done so in recently working out Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison and Mike James, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
A signing is not imminent, sources said. The Lakers could also elect to bring players into training camp to fight for the last few roster spots.
The Lakers, who have 12 players under guaranteed contracts, will go into the 2021-22 season carrying 14 players in order to maintain flexibility, sources said. Each team can carry a maximum of 15 players and two two-way players.
A third point guard is a priority, sources said, along with potentially adding another wing.
The Lakers’ quest to defend their championship from a year ago fell short as injuries to Anthony Davis and LeBron James were just too much to overcome in the opening-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. With the world still adapting to COVID-19 and the new protocols that surface because of it, roster depth is of serious importance for the Lakers.
And with the intention of signing two more players and leaving a roster spot open, it means Jared Dudley’s two-year tenure with the organization will likely come to an end.
Thomas, 32, is attempting to make an NBA comeback after recovering from a gruesome hip injury that has plagued him the last few years. He says he’s 100-percent healthy and has been tearing up pro-am leagues. The two-time All-Star’s last stint in the league was last season on a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Thomas, James and Russell Westbrook worked out together Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, sources said.
Collison, 33, retired at the end of the 2018-19 season. He contemplated coming out of retirement during the 2019-20 season and considered signing with either the Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers. He ultimately decided to remain retired.
Mike James, 30, played the latter part of the 2020-21 season with the Brooklyn Nets after getting his release from CSKA Moscow. He has also had stints with the Suns and Pelicans.
The Lakers have been arguably the busiest franchise this offseason in acquiring Westbrook, Malik Monk, Kent Bazemore, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Carmelo Anthony, Kendrick Nunn and Dwight Howard.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
