Free agent guards Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison and Mike James all recently worked out for the Lakers, who are looking for veteran help to fill out their roster, writes Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
None of the three veteran guards will definitely be signed, sources tell Haynes, and L.A. may decide to have a training camp battle for its final roster spots. The Lakers currently have 12 players with guaranteed contracts and plan to carry just 14 in the regular season for roster flexibility.
L.A.’s priority is finding a third point guard, according to Haynes’ sources, and the team may be in the market for another wing player as well.
Thomas, 32, is hoping to revive his career after dealing with injuries the past four years. He played just three games last season on a 10-day contract with the Pelicans, but says he’s fully healthy now and has been playing well in pro-am leagues. He joined LeBron James and Russell Westbrook for a workout Tuesday in Los Angeles, according to Haynes.
Collison, 33, made a surprise retirement announcement in the summer of 2019, citing family and religious reasons. There were rumors that he might return with the Lakers or Clippers during the 2019/20 season, but he later called them “overhyped.” He played 76 games for the Pacers in his final NBA season, averaging 11.2 PPG and shooting 40.7% from three-point range.
James, 30, finished last season with the Nets after leaving CSKA Moscow. He was part of the rotation in Brooklyn, playing 13 games and averaging 7.7 points and 4.2 assists in 18.2 minutes per night.
The Lakers are expected to move on from veteran shooter Jared Dudley, Haynes adds. Dudley is a free agent after playing 12 games last season.
These old and grizzled veteran laden teams never win the title. It’s never happened. Not once. 6 hall off famers is cool, though, no doubt. I’ll still watch them.
@jonnylucas
yeah geez… these guys should retire. I mean… who wins a chip after 32, 33? Oh yeah…. Duncan and Manu at 36/37, Kidd and Nowitzki @ 32/37 and Jordan, Pip and Rodman 34, 32, 36
You’re talking about 2 or 3 players for San Antonio, Dallas, and Chicago that won championships after the age of 33. Those three teams surely had a lot of younger players on them. But with the Lakers next season it’s not just 2 or 3 players who are that old, we’re talking almost their entire rotation except for AD. Melo is 37, LeBron will be 37 soon, Ariza and Gasol are 36, Dwight will be 36 soon, Ellington will be 34 soon, and Westbrook will soon be 33.
Benefit both
Lakers fall in love with old men
Old men fall in love with Lakers
Yesterday I saw two 65 years old husband/wife kissing each other and more, I asked
Is your marriage original?
They responded …
Who really cares? no one is asking Melo, Gasol or Howard to play 35 minutes
The biggest offseason mistake is that Lakers did not sign Iguodala.
He is 37.
Any 3 Lakers could be the Rockets.
Last time I checked Westbrook was averaging a triple double almost every game. Don’t think she is slowing him down. LeBron is still ballin but he is starting to get a little more injury prone which I personally think last season had a lot to do with not having a regular offseason but we will see, even if does have a few unities hes still scoring 25, getting 8 rebounds and averaging 8 assist which is pretty damn good for an “old guy”
They also have Nunn 26, Monk 23, THT 20 and AD 28.
As for old teams never winning?
The 2010/11 Mavs.
Dirk 32, Kidd 37, Terry 33, Butler 30, Marion 32, Peja 33, Hayward 31 and Cardinal 33.
Wrong Mike James link.
IT is a decent third stringer, worth a shot.
They were driving hard to get Darren a year ago, now he’s reduced to working out for them. I think he would be a great asset off the bench, and another 3pt shooter.
How come no invite for Larry Bird?
I’m sure he got an invite, but refuses to play for the Lakers, as that would be an alliance with his archenemy.
Would it even surprise anyone if they gave the 46 yr old Mike James a tryout?
Isaiah still acts like he’s somebody and entitled, and that is why no one will sign him. He needs to work and hustle like a rookie fighting for that 15th spot.
Why not bring back Wesley Matthew or sign JJ Redick. 2 more players to ring chase.
Redick never played for LA
Or NYK or BRK. MLBnyyfan you’re everywhere lol.
@Michol
sounds like your’re protecting towards IT. What in this article makes you think he feels entitled? It literally says he’s been working out with LBJ and others.
Why is he working out with Lebron? Why does he think he deserve an opportunity and roster spot? He should play in G league, Europe, or Asia and really prove himself. Right now, it’s wrong for him to want a guaranteed contract. He should be fighting for camp invite at best.
Anyone else get the inkling to say it’s “Mike Jamess B***h” when you see his name on here
I don’t understand this tbh
I didn’t understand them last year leaving the C position void after Gasol and it was also a major mistake , I hope this plays out different
Good chance inking another guard just pisses the good ones you already have off who made sacrifices to join in the first place –
They need a versatile wing that can switch the 3/4….they are small here, thin, and vulnerable
Odd news from Laker Land
Seems like Lakers have all of their rotation pieces in place… any additions would be to build some depth. I’d like to see Cacok get some minutes this season he can fill in that extra big role nicely. Old man Ariza fits that 3/4 role but that’s a lot to ask from him.
Early word was Cacok might get guaranteed a 15 until at least mid- season then potentially be cut for a buy-out
He’s in a weird spot where he’s too good to be waived yet probably not good enough for the NBA – Would rather see them retain him on a guaranteed than another guard tho ill say that …
I worry another guard not only affects Monk Nunn Tht Ellignton etc it affects next year min signs as well as it gets too jumbled up and people get upset and remeber next year come free agency’s opening days
These aren’t your normal run of mill old guys. People keep saying Bron is old and he keeps putting up MVP seasons yr in yr out, Westbrook is still averaging a triple double each yr, and oh ya AD isn’t an old guy he’s a top 5 player. It also seems like Melo found the fountain of not quite youth and revived his career. Just remember all your comments about how they’re old and won’t make it when they’re holding that championship trophy at the end of the year.
What’s up with Collision …… it’s been 3 years now that he’s playing cat-and-mouse with LeGM, I mean Pelinka.