The Los Angeles Lakers are still trying to build their roster through free agency as they met with former lottery pick Larry Sanders on Monday.
After walking away from the game of basketball–and a whopping $27 million– 28-year-old Larry Sanders announced his plans for an NBA comeback earlier last month.
https://twitter.com/l8show_thegoat/status/824787180472123392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Since then, Sanders has reportedly worked out in Boston, Washington and even held a private workout for scouts around the league to watch him play. While no one has offered him a contract yet, he’s still meeting with teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Mike Bresnahan.
Lakers are currently meeting with former NBA center Larry Sanders, who hasn't played in the league since December 2014. He is 28 years old.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 13, 2017
The Lakers expressed an interest in improving their roster via free agency in December when they worked out big man Donatas Motiejunas. Motiejunas ended up reaching a deal with New Orleans, but it let other free agents know the Purple and Gold were looking for help up front.
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Los Angeles has the maximum 15 players on their roster, so if they were serious about signing Sanders, they would have to waive one of their players. The deadline to waive non-guaranteed or partially-guaranteed was Jan. 10, so all 15 contracts are now guaranteed.
In the 2012-13 season, Sanders’ most productive NBA season, he averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. His 2.8 blocks per game that season only trailed Serge Ibaka, who was averaging a crazy 3 blocks per game.
His shot blocking would a component to the Lakers roster they don’t have. They thought they were getting a rim protector when they signed Timofey Mozgov to a four-year, $65 million contract, but that hasn’t gone to plan so far. Currently, Ivica Zubac projects as the team’s best rim protector, followed by Tarik Black and Larry Nance Jr.
This was likely just the Lakers touching base with someone that used to be a dominant shot blocker. A deal is unlikely, though if the Lakers send out a couple of players out at the trade deadline, there could be a few roster spots available.
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But what do you guys think? Do the Lakers need Larry Sanders? Is he worth spending a roster spot on? Let us know in the comments below!