Lakers News: Team Signs Robert Upshaw to Two Year Deal

Once the Lakers selected D’Angelo Russell with the number two overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, you knew the Lakers would be looking to improve their front court through free agency. The Lakers missed on all the free agent big men, so Mitch Kupchak had to trade for Roy Hibbert.

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Hibbert was not the big man they were looking for, but he was a nice consolation prize. Next season will be a contract year for Hibbert, if he doesn’t work out for the Lakers they could let him walk in free agency or maybe even trade him during the regular season.

With Hibbert slated to start at center, the Lakers can rest knowing the roster is coming together. Still, they needed more big bodies on the roster and yesterday they added another one. According to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, the Lakers have signed Robert Upshaw to a two year deal:

The Lakers wasted no time and signed Upshaw after his first Summer League game with the Lakers. Upshaw went undrafted, but at one point was considered first round talent. His off the court issues cost him to slip, but the Lakers took a chance on the kid.

In 19 games with the Washington Huskies, Upshaw averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. Those are some impressive stats, unfortunately, Upshaw was dismissed from the team for violating team rules. This wasn’t his first time Upshaw was being dismissed by a team, it also happened in Fresno State.

Upshaw has the prototypical size to be a defensive force in this league. He can block and alter shots, but his play on the court is no the issue. Will Upshaw stay out of trouble as a professional? That remains to be seen, but if the 7-footer gets into shape and solely focuses on basketball, the Lakers might have found another diamond in the rough.