There were reports that the Lakers and Robert Upshaw had reached a training camp deal way back in July during Summer League — but that turned out to be premature, the contract has never been formally offered. The Lakers put the undrafted Upshaw — an imposing, physical, shot-blocking seven-foot center who was dropped from two college programs — on their Summer League team. He looked like a project Las Vegas, one who may be years from being a rotation player, but one with some promise (he set good screens, for example). He’s the kind of player that teams bring to training camp so they can get a closer look.
But will Upshaw be at Lakers’ training camp?
Upshaw seems to think so. After a Seattle Pro-Am game Upshaw spoke with Scout.com about it — as found by our friend Darius Soriano at Forum Blue and Gold — and said he expects to be at Lakers’ training camp if he does the things he needs to do.
Eric Pincus of the LA Times tweeted something similar.
As I understand it, the Lakers hope to have Robert Upshaw in training camp, but he has some private personal steps he needs to achieve
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 30, 2015
As I hear it, the Lakers have given a goal along with tremendous support to Robert Upshaw, an open door, but he has to walk through it
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 30, 2015
Upshaw is trying to get help on this personal issues, and in doing so, has a shot to get to training camp with the Lakers
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 30, 2015
It’s unlikely Upshaw makes the Lakers’ roster. They will start Roy Hibbert at center and bring Robert Sacre in off the bench, plus they are pretty stacked at the four spot with Julius Randle, Brandon Bass, Tarik Black and Larry Nance Jr. Difficult to imagine Upshaw in that mix right now. This may be something where the Lakers would love to get him on their D-League team and have him work on his conditioning, his offense and game skills, plus show he’s got his life in order.
But first he’s got to get his life on track, and then get to training camp.