The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to waive center DeAndre Jordan in favor of D.J. Augustin in a move to bolster their backcourt before the NBA’s stretch run commences.
The Los Angeles Lakers intend to waive DeAndre Jordan and sign free agent guard DJ Augustin, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Lakers are bringing in a veteran, accomplished shooting PG to back up Russell Westbrook.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 1, 2022
The Lakers are unlikely to miss Deandre Jordan.
In 32 appearances, he had the worst net rating (-12.3) of any player to play more than 40 minutes for the team this season. The 33-year-old only averaged 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a night before falling out of the team’s rotation and not playing more than 20 minutes since Dec. 19.
The Lakers also plan to sign Wenyen Gabriel to a two-way contract.
Gabriel played collegiately at Kentucky and has appeared in 58 NBA games the past three seasons for the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Augustin’s addition gives the Lakers another ball-handler and veteran presence in the backcourt.
The Texas product has been in the league since 2008-09 and has suited up for the likes of Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and Houston Rockets.
He has appeared in 34 games this season for the Rockets and averaged 5.4 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range. His shooting will be a massive addition for the Lakers given Westbrook’s struggles from deep.
With a record of 27–33, the Lakers are ninth in the Western Conference and hold a 2.5-game lead on the Pelicans and the Blazers for the final play-in tournament spot with 22 regular-season games remaining.
