In hopes of making training camp more competitive and a chance to rest some of the team’s veterans, the Lakers expanded their roster Wednesday by signing center Eric Boeteng and guard Darius Johnson-Odom to one-year, non guaranteed deals.
Johnson-Odom and Boeteng will earn the veteran’s minimum worth $788,872 and $490,180, respectively. Boeteng went undrafed in 2010 from Arizona State, while Johnson-Odom was drafted by the Lakers 55th overall last season. The Lakers waived the Marquette guard in January, and Johnson-Odom soon played for BC Spartak Saint Petersburg in Russia. Although the Lakers didn’t keep Johnson-Odom, they loved his athleticism.
The Lakers currently have 18 players on their roster and could add two more players before training camp begins Saturday. Among those players, seven have non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed deals, including Shawne Williams (partial), Elias Harris (partial), Xavier Henry (non-guarantee), Ryan Kelly (non guarantee) and Marcus Landry (non guarantee).
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Wednesday he’s open in fielding a 14 or 15-player roster. All NBA teams can carry a maximum of 15 for the regular season.
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