With the point guard position still having some questions, namely about Steve Nash, the Lakers moved to secure themselves with the signing of Ronnie Price on Wednesday. The team announced the decision on their website:
"The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Ronnie Price, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.The nine-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 3.4 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 rebounds over 425 games (35 starts). The 31-year-old Price spent his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2005-07), followed by stints with the Utah Jazz (2007-11), Phoenix Suns (2011-12), Portland Trailblazers (2012-13) and most recently with the Orlando Magic last season.The 6’2’’ Price averaged a career-high 2.1 assists per game in 2013-14 with Orlando, in addition to 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 12.2 minutes over 31 games (two starts). The Friendswood, TX native has appeared in the postseason four times (2006, ’08, ’09, and ’10) in his career."
Price has never been a big time scorer, never averaging more than 4.0 points a game. However, he is a veteran and could be an option should Nash go down like he has in the past two seasons.
With Jordan Clarkson one of the primary back-ups, the Lakers clearly were looking for a more proven commodity, even if he isn’t quite as talented. However, even being an insurance policy may not be enough to get him a spot on the roster. With Price, the Lakers are very deep at point guard, employing Nash, Price, Clarkson, and Jeremy Lin.