Los Angeles Lakers Roster 2015: Rookie Holmes Waived; Kobe To Start At Small Forward?
The Los Angeles Lakers roster is almost complete, when the team waived undrafted rookie Jonathan Holmes, Lakers Nation reports. With the remaining 16 players, the next cut would complete the league-mandated 15 players per team.
The Lakers are slowly making progress, as they need to complete their active roster before the NBA regular season starts. Holmes, the latest player to be waived, was a forward from the University of Texas. He was not picked during the 2015 draft, but the Lakers took notice of the player because of his "versatility" in playing the 3 or the 4.
Holmes suffered a shoulder injury in a preseason game against the Portland Trailblazers. Even when healthy, he would be competing with veterans and top picks for a crowded SF/PF spot in the Lakers' roster.
Kobe Bryant is rumored to start at small forward, and prized big man Julius Randle at power forward, according to SB Nation. New pick-ups Brandon Bass, Larry Nance, and Metta World Peace will also be competing for playing time at the forward position.
The last player to be waived to complete the Los Angeles Lakers roster is a toss between veteran Metta World Peace and Jabari Brown. Brown was a late addition to last year's 21-win Lakers, while World Peace is a late pick-up during this year's free agency.
World Peace, known back then as Ron Artest, was a part of the 2009-2010 championship-winning Lakers.
Days before cutting Jonathan Holmes, the team waived undrafted players Robert Upshaw and Michael Frazer II, as reported by Silver Screen and Roll. The Lakers took a gamble on Upshaw even though he was two years removed from the sport because of rehab. He had his moments during the preseason, but they needed major adjustments to make the 7-footer NBA-ready.
The Lakers are taking their chances on low picks and undrafted players, following their success on Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson was the 46th pick of the 2014 draft, but ended up joining the 2015 All-Rookie 1st Team.
