L.A. is coming into the 2013-14 season with a very intriguing roster full of aging stars and a bunch of young guns. The team seems to perfectly fit Mike D’Antoni’s shot-happy offense, and the coach will have to lead a postseason effort if he wants to stay in Los Angeles in the coming years.
General manager Mitch Kupchak added several pieces to complement Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol over the summer. Nick Young, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Farmar, Xavier Henry and Chris Kaman will all be huge factors in the outcome of the Lakers’ season.
But Kupchak’s job may not be done. Before the regular season actually tips off, the Lakers could make several surprising roster decisions to improve their team.
Cut Marcus Landry
Marcus Landry was signed to a non-guaranteed deal for the veteran’s minimum early in September and will have his work cut out for him as he strives to make the final 12-man roster.
He’s the younger brother of the Sacramento Kings’ Carl Landry and hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2009-10. However, he did lead the Lakers’ summer league team in scoring with 15.2 points per game.
There’s no doubt that the 27-year-old, who has spent the last few years overseas and in the D-League, can play.
But in all likelihood, he won’t be playing for Los Angeles this season.
With Henry breaking out in early preseason action (29 points in the opening contest) and Elias Harris signed to a two-year deal, the prospect of making the regular-season roster looks bleak for Landry.
While Landry has the ability to stretch the floor, L.A. simply doesn’t appear to have room for him.
Sign Rip Hamilton
With ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
