Could a D-League stint help Chris Douglas-Roberts make the Lakers?
October 2, 2012 in Professional
Detroit native Chris Douglas-Roberts signed a training camp deal with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this week. Like most players on training camp deals, he’s a longshot to make the roster, but Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles reports the Lakers hope he’ll stick around in another capacity if he doesn’t make the team directly out of camp:
Chris Douglas-Roberts was a surprise to see today. The Lakers signed him to a training camp contract, w/ hope he will play for the D-Fenders
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 1, 2012
Although the D-League is probably not the most attractive option for a player like Douglas-Roberts, who could possibly make less loaded NBA rosters elsewhere, Gino Pilato of Ridiculous Upside makes the case for why it makes sense in this case:
With only three listed small forwards on the Lakers roster, Douglas-Roberts has a legitimate shot at making their squad. But if he were to spend some time with the L.A. D-Fenders, it would surely benefit him.
Douglas-Roberts has to look no further than his new teammate Devin Ebanks to see the benefits of a stint with the Lakers’ D-League single affiliate. Ebanks made good use of his time while playing for the D’s and was able to stay fresh in the mind of Mitch Kupchak. Kupchak, who can often be seen lurking over the D’s home games, undoubtedly took notice when Ebanks averaged his 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in just three games.
Douglas-Roberts’ versatility and scoring ability off the bench could certainly help the Lakers in the right role. Hopefully the organization finds a way to keep him past training camp.
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First of all, Douglas-Roberts has NBA skills, you don’t score 30pts vs the Heat & Bulls if you’re D-League caliber. Secondly, he’s a Shooting Guard, not entering the camp to compete as SF. As of now, the Lakers depth chart at SG is Kobe/Jodie Meeks. So he has a very good chance of not only making the roster, but battling Meeks for backup role.
Couple of points:
- Bryant will play 37+ minutes per game. Meeks’ contract is guaranteed while CDR’s is not and his one skill, 3-point shooting, is something the Lakers desperately need to stretch the floor for their bigs. So even if he’s more SG than SF, he’s not competing for a spot at SG on that roster. The Lakers also have Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock, both of whom have partially guaranteed deals for this season, and both of who played some shooting guard last season.
- At SF, he can essentially fill the roll Matt Barnes did last year. His competition at that spot is decidedly better — Artest, who is aging and declining some, Ebanks who is young and unproven, and maybe Jamison if the Lakers decide to go big. His odds of getting minutes and making the team are much, much better at that spot.
Him playing for their D-League team doesn’t mean he’s not a NBA talent. It means he’d be willing to wait them out as they decide what to do with their guaranteed contracts ahead of him. Most teams are not willing to eat guaranteed salary, even to players who aren’t as good as the non-guaranteed players, especially a team like the Lakers that is already paying a ton of luxury tax. Cutting a bit player like Goudelock, for example, to make room for CDR isn’t super expensive on its face, but when you factor in luxury tax, it makes that move significantly more expensive.
Meeks is one dimensional. What happens when Meeks jumpshot isn’t falling? He can’t create his own shot at all. Morris and Andrew have partially guaranteed contracts but definitely AREN’T locks to make the roster and would both be better suited for a stint in the D-League. I see your point as to him having a chance to play more as a SF, I just don’t think a D-League stint would for him is the right answer. I’m thinking he performs very well in training camp and the Lakers reward him with a roster spot.