LA Lakers news updates are quite slow after the team's failed pursuit of free agent Carmelo Anthony. Recently the team brought back forwards Ryan Kelly and Wesley Johnson and waived the contract of point guard Kendall Marshall.
The Los Angeles Times reported LA Lakers news updates by saying that Ryan Kelly will be brought back for another season although details of the new contract wasn't available.
The sweet-shooting 6-10 forward averaged eight points and 3.7 rebounds last year. The versatile forward also played minutes at the four last year. However, next season would be different as the team addressed its frontcourt issues by drafting Julius Randle, signing Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis as well as re-signing Jordan Hill.
Meanwhile, Wes Johnson also signed with the Lakers a one-year contract for $1 million, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN. The 6-8 forward had a career year for the Lakers when he averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last year, as well as 36 percent from three-point arc.
"The Lakers have quickly rounded out their roster, and Johnson adds depth to their thin wing rotation. Los Angeles went into free agency with close to a blank slate and have additional clarity with the addition of Johnson," the SilverScreenAndRoll blog stated.
Meanwhile, in related LA Lakers news, backup pointguard Kendall Marshall-who played a lot of minutes last season in the run-and-gun offense of Mike D'Antoni and the injury to Steve Nash-was waived by the team.
The decision was mainly a salary dump, reported Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, because his $915,243 contract was unguaranteed.
Although Kendall Marshall averaged a respectable average of eight points and 8.8 assists per game while shooting 39.9 percent from the arc last season, he never really developed a mid-range game which allows teams to ignore his jump shots and pack the paint.
"The Lakers' depth at point guard made Marshall an expendable player while they reorganize their salary structure prior to making many of their signings official," the SilverScreenAndRoll blog added.
