The Lakers sit at 14-20 with seemingly little to play for other than Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker. But with an endless line of injuries, Mike D'Antoni's unwillingness (and sometimes inability) to stick with a starting lineup, and trade rumors running rampant, this has been one of the most compelling rosters in the NBA.
It feels like there's some type of move made on a daily basis, and veteran journeyman Shawne Williams found that out the hard way on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Shawne Williams Released
The Lakers' official website, via NBA.com, made it official:
The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Shawne Williams, it was announced today.
Williams, originally selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, signed with the Lakers on September 3, 2013. In 32 games (11 starts) this season, the 6’9” forward out of Memphis University averaged 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 20.2 minutes.
The Lakers roster now stands at 14 players.
On the one hand, this is a little surprising. In his first season with L.A., Williams was averaging 20.2 minutes per contest (with 11 starts), and his combination of size, athleticism and three-point shooting ability made him a nice fit for D'Antoni's squad.
Moreover, as Lakers Nation's Serena Winters noted, he was a well-liked player and a good character for the locker room:
Nevertheless, this was clearly a business move. His contract would have become fully guaranteed if the Lakers didn't release him by Tuesday's deadline, so this move saves money and opens up a roster spot should L.A. need one in a trade.
Rookie Ryan Kelly, who has averaged 16.5 minutes per contest over the last six...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
