Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers waive shooting guard Vander Blue

By Kenneth Teape

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 01: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Vander Blue #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game on January 1, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 01: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Vander Blue #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game on January 1, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Vander Blue, opening up a two-way deal in the process.

The Los Angeles Lakers began shaking up their roster last week. Veteran center Andrew Bogut was waived, opening up a roster spot. Now, he will be joined by another Laker on the free agent market.

Shooting guard Vander Blue will also become a free agent. The Lakers waived Blue earlier today, opening up a two-way contract in the process.

This is a move that will surprise many fans. Blue is the reigning G-League MVP, and many believed he would have a shot at earning an NBA roster spot this offseason. With the overhaul the Lakers backcourt underwent, it looked like he would have a good shot.

Unfortunately, the NBA deal never came. Despite playing well in the Summer League and remaining on the roster throughout training camp and preseason, Blue didn’t receive an offer to be on the 15-man roster.

More from Lake Show Life

Instead, Blue was offered and agreed to a two-way deal. He would be allowed to remain on the NBA roster for 45 days. It was something new that the NBA implemented this season. Along with Blue, the Lakers also agreed to a two-way deal with guard Alex Caruso.

With Blue being waived, the Lakers now have 15 players on the roster. They have one regular roster spot open and one two-way deal they can hand out.

The open roster spot looked like it was going to a 10-day deal with forward Jamil Wilson. Earlier in the week, it was reported that the Lakers and Wilson were going to agree to a deal on Wednesday, giving Wilson a chance to play on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs.

However, the Lakers would eventually back out of the deal. A lawsuit reportedly surfaced against Wilson, and the Lakers reneged on the deal. There is a chance that a deal can be agreed upon later once things clear up with Wilson.

Blue has appeared in only five games with the Lakers this season. He saw a total of 45 minutes, scoring three points with three assists, one rebound and one steal.

Blue wasn’t playing great with the South Bay Lakers this season after winning MVP last season. This season, he is averaging 19.5 points per game on only 39.1 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line. He has added 5.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.

Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History

Those numbers are a big drop off from the numbers that Blue put up last season, and that he has put up throughout his career in the G-League. It is possible that Blue is discouraged about not being in the NBA yet. He has reportedly been frustrated with the situation, but now that he is a free agent he could find an NBA deal with another team.

Home/Lakers Free Agency