2:46pm: The Lakers’ deal with Zimmerman is now official, with the team confirming the signing in a press release.
10:53am: Free agent center Stephen Zimmerman has agreed to a deal with the Lakers, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). According to Wojnarowski, Zimmerman will sign a partially guaranteed contract and join the Lakers for training camp.
Zimmerman, 20, was the 41st overall pick in the 2016 draft, landing with the Magic. The former UNLV big man saw limited action during his rookie season in Orlando, averaging 1.2 PPG and 1.8 RPG in 19 games (5.7 MPG) for the club. However, he had a more extensive role in 21 games for the Erie BayHawks, averaging 13.4 PPG and 8.9 RPG in the G League.
The Magic’s contract agreement with Zimmerman included just one guaranteed season, with a non-guaranteed salary for year two. Faced last month with a deadline to make a decision on his 2017/18 salary, Orlando’s new management group opted to move on from Zimmerman, waiving him and making him a free agent.
Zimmerman is the third young player who has recently agreed to sign a camp deal with the Lakers. The team also added Vander Blue last week and struck an agreement with Briante Weber on Tuesday.
Solid pick up was an all American but was never given time the flourish with the loaded backcourt in Orlando. Interesting to see how he can develop with Lonzo.
Zimmerman is a post player so Orlando’s loaded backcourt had nothing to do with his release – the only impact Ball will have with him is to get him the ball near the basket (if he ever sees any game time)
It’s all about opportunity, lots of guys could average 20 a game if they got 35m a night and 20 shots a night, and if they are given freedom to play through mistakes.
Zimmerman is 7ft and he has great skills, he can shoot it from outside he is good around basket, he just needs to get stronger he is too weak you can see it when you watch him play