Lakers’ training camps opens on September 29th in Hawaii. We already know Jordan Clarkson will be there after it was determined he would not play for the Philippines at the FIBA Asia Championships which overlapped with the start of camp. We also know the names of the 16 other Lakers who will be there with Clarkson.
What we do not know, however, is what the rest of the camp invite list will look like. Per Brad Turner of the LA Times, however, we do know they are looking to add more players:
The Lakers plan on signinng one to three more players before training camp opens in Hawaii Sept. 29. They have 17 players signed now.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) September 9, 2015
Based on recent reports, it would seem Metta World Peace might be one of those players. Another, if you take his word for it, might be Robert Upshaw. If the Lakers add another player to the camp roster, I’d imagine it would not be a player of consequence as they’re likely already going to have some difficult decisions to make on who to cut and who to keep on the opening night roster. As we’ve discussed, the training camp battles will be worth the price of admission to camp (if, you know, they actually sold tickets to camp).
Going into camp, my gut tells me the Lakers would still be open to exploring trades in order to try and find the right mix of veterans who can help on the court (and off) and young players who they think could be a part of the future. One thing to remember, though, is that the Lakers can assign as many as three players who are cut from their training camp as “affiliate players” to their D-League team.
Based on that, it would not surprise me if Jonathan Holmes, Michael Frazier, and Robert Upshaw (should he come to camp) end up getting cut and being those affiliate players who end up on the D-Fenders. They are the kind of guys who fit the profile of players who need seasoning to refine their games and figure out what type of players they would be at the NBA level.
In any event, we’re less than three weeks away until the start of camp. Expect the Lakers to add a few more guys to the list of invites to Hawaii.
(h/t to Pro Basketball Talk)
Laker uruguayo says
A contribution: according to press reports, since 2014 four players in the camp can be considered affiliated players in the D-League.
Rico Tico says
El ano pasado Roscoe Smith y Jabari Brown no hicieron el equipo titular pero fueron al equipo secundario ” D League “. Creo que van hacer lo mismo con por lo menos 2 jugadores este ano. Jonathan Holmes, Robert Upshaw.
Va ver Mucha competencia para el equipo titular.
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Last year Roscoe Smith and Jabari Brown didn’t make the final roster but they were sent our second team the Defenders for development . I believe we will do the same with players like Jonathan Holmes, Robert Upshaw and maybe 1 more.
I would. There will be a lot of great battles to make our squad.