Report: Kent Bazemore signing with Lakers on one-year deal
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to add veterans to one-year deals to round out the roster.
After acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, the Lakers have only LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol and Alfonzo McKinnie under contract on the 15-man roster.
As the free agency period started, Los Angeles pursued veterans on one-year deals. Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza have all joined the Lakers and are projected to play their own vital roles.
Howard and Ellington each reportedly had an interest in signing with the Lakers shortly before the market opened and are back with another stint in L.A.
Now, another former Laker is returning on a one-year deal, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Bazemore first played for Los Angeles in the 2013-14 season when he made his mark after averaging 13.1 points per game through 23 regular-season appearances.
Last season, Bazemore played for the Golden State Warriors. He primarily came off the bench and averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 19.9 minutes per game; his 3-point percentage of 40.8 percent marked a career-high number, though it was on low volume (2.7 attempts).
Bazemore, who just turned 32, is capable of guarding the one, two and three positions; the bulk of his minutes the last two seasons has stemmed from the small forward slot.
The 6’4″ versatile player should play an imperative role on defense while having a role as a catch-and-shoot shooter on offense.
Here’s why Bazemore is signing with L.A. over staying with the Warriors: