The Los Angeles Lakers are in the process of rounding out their roster as training camp is set to begin in a couple of weeks. About a week ago, the Lakers brought in Robert Upshaw on a training camp deal, and he is the 18th player that has a contract heading into camp. The Lakers plan to have all 20 spots filled going into camp and have been linked to Metta World Peace, but now it is being reported that they also have interest in Sebastian Telfair, according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops.
The report states that nothing is imminent between the Lakers and Telfair, but that the Lakers have just expressed preliminary interest. Telfair is now 30 years old and hasn't been a regular rotation player since back in the 2008-09 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the Lakers are looking for veteran depth at the point guard position.
The Lakers are currently very deep at guard, but there are some question marks at point guard. Jordan Clarkson was tremendous last season as a rookie, but he was a second round pick and there are questions if he can have a repeat season. D'Angelo Russell is extremely talented but is a rookie and struggled mightily during summer league with turnovers and the Lakers brought in Marcelo Huertas, but he has never played in the NBA before, so it is unknown how he will be able to transition to the league.
Telfair was one of the most hyped prospects coming into the NBA as he entered the league straight out of high school, but he has been a huge bust. Telfair has never averaged double figures scoring in a season and has been hanging on in the NBA by a thread. Last season the Brooklyn, N.Y. native played in 16 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder and averaged 8.4 points and 2.8 assists in 20.4 minutes per game, but he only made 37 percent of his field goals.
For his career Telfair has only shot 39 percent from the field and if the Lakers do bring him in for training camp, it is highly unlikely he would make the team. Huertas is on a non-guaranteed contract, but the general consensus is that he is a virtual lock to make the team, as are Russell and Clarkson, so the Lakers are unlikely to carry four point guards when the season begins.
