The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to an agreement with free agent Ben McLemore, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports.
The veteran shooting expert became a free agent on Monday after being released by the Houston Rockets last week and releasing resignations. Their agreement is for the rest of the season, according to the report. The terms of the contract have not been informed. The Lakers had a spot on the open roster and need not make a corresponding cut.
McLemore was allegedly coveted by competitors
Other competitors were interested in McLemore, including the Milwaukee Bucks, according to the report. Ben McLemore’s agent is Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who has close personal and commercial ties to LeBron James and also represents Anthony Davis.
McLemore adds depth, shot
McLemore, 28, is in his eighth NBA season after being selected with No. 7 choice by Sacramento Kings in the 2013 NBA draft. A 3-point shooter in his 36.3% career, McLemore averaged 7.4 points and 2.1 rebounds mainly from the Houston bench this season. He averaged 10.1 points and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 40% from a 3-point gap last season as a part-time starter on a Rockets team that made it to the playoffs.
He will likely leave the bench with the Lakers, as they seek to bolster their squad for the long run of the regular season and the playoffs. The Lakers, playing without the injured stars James and Davis, are fifth in the Western Conference ranking, 31-19.
McLemore is the second addition to the Los Angeles squad since the NBA negotiation deadline. The Lakers also signed pivot Andre Drummond after his post-term purchase with the Cleveland Cavaliers. For now, McLemore and Drummond will help fill the gaps in a list full of injuries. Both players bring skill sets that will keep them relevant in the rotation if the Lakers return to better health for the postseason.
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