The 28th pick in the 2009 NBA draft, Ellington signed with the Lakers on Monday, the team announced:
According to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, Ellington's contract is partially guaranteed for the 2014-15 season:
With 13 guaranteed contracts already on the books, Ellington falls short of being considered a lock. But his resume suggests he could play his way into that role, as his three-point stroke, defensive effort and reliability would all be welcome additions to the Lakers' perimeter.
"While not necessarily a game-changing acquisition, Ellington will provide some depth on the wings for the Lakers," wrote Lakers Nation's Corey Hansford. "With Xavier Henry not quite ready yet, and Jordan Clarkson being a rookie, Nick Young is the only known commodity off the bench on the wings."
Head coach Byron Scott, via Medina, has penciled in four of his five starters for this season: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer and Jordan Hill. For the record, that's a 76-year-old starting backcourt, which made a combined 21 appearances in 2013-14.
Depth isn't a luxury for the Lakers, it's a necessity.
Ellington can be more than an insurance policy, though, despite his busy summer schedule perhaps indicating otherwise.
Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times detailed the long, winding road Ellington took to get to the Lakers:
Drafted in 2009 with the 28th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ellington has already been traded four times during his five years in the NBA, including twice this summer -- from the Dallas Mavericks to the New York Knicks, then by the Knicks to the Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento chose to stretch out Elling...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
