Lakers sign veteran center Marc Gasol, trade McGee to make room
LOSANGELES» The Los Angeles Lakers have signed veteran Spanish center Marc Gasol.
The NBA champions confirmed the latest step in their roster reconfiguration Tuesday by announcing the addition of the 35-yearold Gasol, who spent the last 1½ seasons with the Toronto Raptors and won a championship ring in 2019.
The Lakers traded starting center JaVale McGee to Cleveland to make room under the salary cap to sign Gasol, who will be expected to provide his usual sturdy defense along with strong passing skills and 3-point shooting.
Gasol struggled with injuries last season while scoring a career-low 7.5 points per game along with 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The Lakers still beat out several interested suitors for Gasol, whose NBA career is coming full circle as he joins the team that drafted him in 2007.
Gasol will suit up for the Lakers nearly 13 years after the franchise acquired his older brother, Pau, by trading Marc’s draft rights to the Memphis Grizzlies in February 2008 while Marc was still playing professionally in Spain.
Pau Gasol, 40, is a free agent after spending last season recovering from foot surgery, but he hasn’t retired. He lives in California with his wife and newborn daughter, and he posted a video of himself Tuesday on his Instagram account going through workouts.
Marc Gasol and fellow newcomer Montrezl Harrell are likely to replace McGee and Dwight Howard as the big men in the Lak
ers’ rotation.
Pelicans acquire Adams
Veteran 7-foot center Steven Adams has agreed to a two-year extension with the Pelicans following his trade to New Orleans as part of a four-team deal that also sent guard Jrue Holiday from the Pelicans to Milwaukee.
Adams’ extension is for $35 million, said a person familiar with the deal.
The acquisition of Adams comes after Derrick Favors letf New Orleans in free agency. Now the 265-pound Adams, known for his feisty play under the basket and aptitude for setting screens, will be creating room to operate on the offensive end for the likes of wing Brandon Ingram, forward Zion Williamson and guard Lonzo Ball.
Adams is a New Zealand native who has spent all of his seven NBA seasons in Oklahoma City, averaging 9.8, 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, a block and 0.9 steals during his career.
Warriors add guard Wanamaker
SANFRANCISCO» Free agent guard Brad Wanamaker has signed with the Golden State Warriors, giving the team additional depth in the wake of Klay Thompson’s Achilles injury that will sideline him all season.
The Warriors announced the deal two days after acquiring guard Kelly Oubre from the Oklahoma City Thunder for draft picks.
Wanamaker spent the past two seasons with Boston. He averaged 6.9 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds while playing 19.3 minutes in 71 games for the Celtics ng 2019-20.