The LA Lakers are making final roster decisions and players like Metta World Peace, Marcelo Huertas and Robert Sacre look safe after Robert Upshaw and Michael Frazier were cut. Kobe Bryant is coming into the season with a leg injury, bit he is expected to play in the season opener, while rookie D'Angelo Russell could start at point guard.
The Lakers have started to trim the roster down ahead of the start of the regular season next week and the first two to go were Frazier and Upshaw. According to the Los Angeles Times, Frazier and Upshaw are options to head to the D-League if they make it through waivers for the Lakers. Upshaw was considered to be an option for the roster based on his potential and physical makeup, but the Lakers opted to waive him and keep Robert Sacre as the third center.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott said to the Los Angeles Times that the team likes Upshaw's potential and that he showed some "flashes" during the summer league and preseason. Scott added that Upshaw has a "big-time learning curve" on "both ends of the floor" and that the team hopes Upshaw (and Frazier) will end up with their D-League affiliate. Upshaw has dealt with off the court issues in college and has had scouts question his maturity as he tries to get on an NBA roster.
The LA Times writes that Sacre, while not as physically gifted as Upshaw, adds a veteran presence to the locker room and has a better defensive game than Upshaw. Upshaw previously was dismissed from two different college programs and he signed with the Lakers for the summer after averaging 10.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 19 games for Washington. During the preseason Upshaw did not do too much and averaged just 2.5 points in four games.
Mike Bresnahan of the Times reports that the Lakers have "one roster battle" left heading into the season, with Metta World Peace and Jabari Brown trying to lock down the spot for Scott. Bresnahan writes that Peace has a "slight edge" but that "nothing is cemented" yet with the decision. Marcelo Huertas looks safe for the roster, as Scott said that the point guard has taken the lead on the second unit and has "pretty much" locked up a spot as a backup point guard.
The Lakers have some solid options at guard with D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams and now Huertas looks like he will be in that mix. Russell could get the chance to start in the season opener as a rookie, but Scott has not made any final decisions yet. Scott added that he is "confident" that Kobe Bryant will be able to play in the season opener. Bryant suffered a minor leg injury against the Kings in the preseason and has time into next week to heal up for the opening game on Wednesday. The Lakers also announced they have waived Jonathan Holmes, meaning the team is now down to 16 players.