The Los Angeles Lakers have 13 guaranteed spots on the roster, so two more need to be filled to complete the 15-man squad.
Los Angeles recently signed Rajon Rondo and DeAndre Jordan, but Marc Gasol’s departure created another opening.
It has been reported the Lakers wouldn’t use the final roster spot in order to maintain roster flexibility during the season, but the 14th spot will likely get filled.
Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers, revealed during a media session Thursday what the franchise wants to do with the two remaining openings.
“We do have two open roster spots, 14 and 15,” Pelinka said. “Most likely 15 will be held (open), just with the tax implications and also holding that potentially for the buyout deadline. That’s usually a tool that a lot of contenders use, so I think there’s a likelihood there.”
Pelinka is open to whatever possibilities present themselves. However, there could be a new signing before training camp starts.
“We’re never absolute. We’re always fluid, and anything could be presented. And we are in kind of our final evaluations on what to do with the 14th spot,” Pelinka said. “That’s something that we will make the decision on and around before camp starts on Tuesday, so we’re still kind of evaluating that as we speak.”
Considering Gasol, a floor-spacing center, recently left, the Lakers could look for someone who provides shooting at the 5. DeMarcus Cousins and Ersan Ilyasova are still available despite not being the best anchors on defense.
L.A. could use another forward who can play a lot of minutes at small forward. James Ennis’ name has emerged multiple times this summer and would be a solid two-way signing for depth.