The Lakers have given 15 players – the regular-season roster limit – a guaranteed salary for next season.
But they could open a roster spot by trading (ha!) or waiving Nick Young.
Who could fill it? One candidate: Undrafted Notre Dame big man Zach Auguste.
Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders:
I hear the Lakers have a deal with Zach Auguste, who played for the summer league squad, haven't gotten word on terms
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 21, 2016
Auguste is probably getting a partial guarantee, but I wouldn’t pencil him in for the regular-season roster just yet – even if the Lakers waive Young. I expect the Lakers to sign multiple players to partially guaranteed deals and bring them to camp to compete.
If they waive Auguste, the Lakers could assign his D-League rights to their affiliate, the D-Fenders. Ideally, though, he’d make the regular-season roster – but that outlook will probably be true for multiple Lakers by the time training camp begins.
Auguste is a skilled interior scorer who excels in the pick-and-roll and can also post up. He improved greatly as a rebounder last season, but how much of that is due to outgrowing his competition as a senior? He’s already 23. Auguste has shown no range on his jumper, and he’s not a rim protector. Despite his mobility, his pick-and-roll defense is also lacking.
Good for the Lakers getting him in their pipeline, but don’t expect too much.
