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Los Angeles Lakers officially waive center Tarik Black

By Kenneth Teape

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 04: Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a play with Jose Calderon #5 and Tarik Black #28 during a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Honda Center on October 4, 2016 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 04: Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a play with Jose Calderon #5 and Tarik Black #28 during a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Honda Center on October 4, 2016 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers waived center Tarik Black in advance of his contract becoming guaranteed for the 2017-18 season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been a team many people have talked about during the offseason. They already made one big trade, sending D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, they received Brook Lopez and the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The Lakers turned the 27th pick into Utah power forward, Kyle Kuzma. The Lakers made three more selections in the 2017 NBA Draft as well. With the second pick, the Lakers landed UCLA star point guard, Lonzo Ball. Los Angeles flipped the 28th pick to the Utah Jazz and turned it into Villanova shooting guard Josh Hart and Indiana center Thomas Bryant with the 30th and 42nd picks.

With four players selected in the draft and the Las Vegas Summer League beginning soon, the Lakers were going to have to shuffle up the end of their roster. That shuffle began today, as they officially waived center, Tarik Black.

The Lakers waived Black in large part because of his contract became guaranteed. Had he been on the Lakers roster through Tuesday, Black would have made $6.7 million for the 2017-18 season.

Releasing Black could not have been an easy decision. He is an awesome teammate and great person.

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He was the exact type of player that you want at the end of your bench, but at the end of the day the Lakers decided they had to go in a different direction; $6.7 million is a tough pill to swallow for someone who may not have even made the team.

Black was originally claimed by the Lakers back on December 28th, 2014. He would play in 144 games for the Lakers over the past three seasons, starting 43 of them. In those games, Black averaged 5.5 points on 54.3 percent shooting, to go along with 5.1 rebounds.

His presence is what the Lakers really enjoyed. He was well-spoken and someone the other players could look to for guidance. While it is a disappointing day for Black as he is out of a job, he had some very nice words for the Lakers on his Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWBFyHFhcZx/

Unfortunately for Black, it came down to a numbers game with the Lakers. His contract was a big reason why, but the Lakers also have a ton of talent in their front court. Lopez and Ivica Zubac will top the depth chart at center. Bryant was selected in the second round and will come at a much cheaper price than Black.

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Black should be picked up by another team sooner than later. He is a hard worker and his effort is infectious for his teammates. He is the type of player many teams would like to have at the end of their bench. With the NBA expanding rosters in cooperation with the NBA G-League, Black should have no problem finding a new team to latch on with.

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