Lakers Hardship Exception Expires

MONDAY, 8:15am: The Lakers failed to add a player using the 16th roster spot before their two-day window to do so expired last week, fellow Times scribe Mike Bresnahan clarifies (Twitter links). They can apply to receive another chance to add a 16th player, but it doesn’t appear as though they’re planning to do so, according to Bresnahan.

SUNDAY, 9:31pm: The NBA has granted a hardship exception to the Lakers, allowing the team to increase its roster to 16 players, reports Eric Pincus of The Los Angeles Times.

Since the preseason, the Lakers have been hit by a string of injuries to Xavier Henry, Steve Nash, Julius Randle and Ryan Kelly. For the past two weeks, the team has had only 11 healthy players on its roster. The Lakers recently received disabled player exceptions of $4.9MM for Nash and $1.5MM for Randle.

The Lakers have been rumored to have interest in D-Leaguer Earl Clark, who is currently playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Clark is expected to receive a minimum contract if he signs.

They also had recent workouts with free agents Quincy Miller, Gal Mekel (who has since signed with the Pelicans), Tyrus Thomas, Dwight BuycksJordan Hamilton and Roscoe Smith.

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