5:58pm: The Lakers have officially waived Daniels, the team announced in a press release.
5:35pm: The Lakers are releasing veteran guard Troy Daniels, agent Mark Bartelstein tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
According to Wojnarowski, the two sides had been working on an agreement that would give Daniels a chance to find an opportunity with a new team, with the Lakers opening up a spot on their 15-man roster. Head coach Frank Vogel, confirming the move, said that releasing Daniels was a “very, very tough decision” for the Lakers, per Andrew Lopez of ESPN (Twitter link).
“(Lakers executives) Rob (Pelinka) and Kurt (Rambis) were fantastic in giving Troy optionality based upon all the scenarios that could play out in the coming weeks,” Bartelstein told Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Daniels signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with Los Angeles last summer and played a modest role for the club this season, averaging 4.2 PPG and 1.1 RPG on .392/.357/.625 shooting in 41 games (11.1 MPG). The 28-year-old was considered a strong locker-room presence, but wasn’t part of the Lakers’ rotation as of late, having logged just 10 minutes in the team’s last six games, including four DNP-CDs.
March 1 is the last day that a player can be waived and retain his postseason eligibility. Since he’s being released today, Daniels can still participate in the playoffs if he signs with a new team between the time he clears waivers and the end of the regular season.
As for the Lakers, Vogel said today that they don’t have any specific player lined up for their newly-opened roster spot, per Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). Having an opening on the 15-man roster will give the team some options going forward though. Our look at the 2020 buyout market includes a few names that may be of interest to the Lakers.
Wojnarowski confirms (via Twitter) that L.A. still intends to meet with Dion Waiters this week, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the one replacing Daniels on the roster. Woj suggests Pelinka will be patient, since the Lakers may want to retain their roster flexibility in case an injury occurs down the stretch.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Well at least he got optionality as opposed to just getting options.
And the Lakers got roster flexibility instead of just getting a roster?
lol
Teams will certainly be fighting for Daniels services.
So show will they sign? Out of the guys to waive this was the one I thought should go
Welcome to the Lakers Dion. Just stay away from them Flintstones gummies
I had hoped he’d turn into Reddick lite.
JR?
The Lakers have a whole group of talented players to choose from. Could be JR Smith, Ryan Anderson, Iman Shumpert, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Johnson, and many others to help them win the Wild West.
I was thinking Shumpert. Cause he’s not stoned like JR and waiters.
I think Troy ends up in Philly. They could use some more spot of shooting even with their recent additions.
Nothing will change in Philly until they get a true PG.
Ben Simmons is a true PG in every sense of the word.
This thread is 0 for 3!
GRIII is a better Troy Daniels if he stays healthy, which he has. I guess TD would add depth now, and might help in putting together next year’s roster.
JRich is the underachiever and like Robinson or Daniels is not the right type for a starting 2 anyway. Burks or Milton are combo guards who can take over from Simmons at the 1 if necessary.
True point guards can shoot from more than 5 feet.
Ben Simmons is a PF trying to be a PG.
LBJ and Draymond get lots of assists, are they PG’s?