The Los Angeles Lakers have certainly had a humbling season to say the least as they are 8-28, which is the worst in the West, and had their three game winning streak ended by the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. The deadline for non-guaranteed contracts to become guaranteed is quickly approaching and the Lakers have some decisions to make as they have three guys that could be effected, but despite the poor season they are expected to hang on to all three, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Metta World Peace, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas are the three players whose statuses are currently in limbo but they are expected to be retained. The Lakers could conceivably cut bait with one of the three guys to free up a roster spot, without financial ramifications, in case they want to make a trade at some point but it doesn't look like that is the direction they will go.
World Peace was signed by the Lakers this offseason for the league minimum on a non-guaranteed deal. The 36 year old had an invite to training camp but was in no way guaranteed to make the final roster. World Peace recently had a stretch where he sat out for 14 consecutive games despite being healthy but the Lakers reportedly want to keep him because they like his veteran voice in the locker room.
Black had his stock at an all-time high last season when he averaged 7.2 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Lakers after they picked him up off waivers from the Rockets. This season Black has struggled and has seen his playing time vanish. The 24 year old has spent a lot of time in the D-League but the Lakers still see him as someone they can develop into a solid energy guy off the bench.
Huertas came into this season as somewhat of a question mark as he had never played in the NBA before but there was some hype surrounding him. His addition was strange considering the Lakers were already extremely deep at guard when they signed him and because of that his minutes have been sporadic this season. The 32 year old has dealt with injuries to his hamstring so far this year and has only averaged 3.1 points and 2.7 assists when he's been on the court but the Lakers are still reportedly intrigued by his talent.
