NBA News: Lakers Try To Keep Up With Standouts From G League

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to find ways to survive with several of their players placed under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Like most teams, the best recourse for the franchise is to tap talent coming from the G League.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers signed forward Jemerrio Jones to a 10-day deal via the hardship exception route.

Jemerrio is no stranger to Los Angeles, having played for the team during the 2017-18 season.

In addition, he saw action for six games and totaled 46 rebounds.

Before he was plucked by the Lakers, the 6-foot-5 cager was playing for the Wisconsin Herd in G League, where he played 11 games and averaged 6.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Aside from that, he owned a decent 52.5% shooting from the field. However, he is not someone who can sink it from the three-point region.

Also signed but through a two-way contract is Mason Jones. The 6-foot-4 guard is one of the top players in the G League playing for the South Bay Lakers.

Mason led South Bay to the best record in the West Division and a spot in the Winter Showcase semifinals.

Furthermore, Mason averaged 17.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 12 games.

Unlike Jemerrio, Mason--who had stints with the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers in the past--owns a 41% clip from beyond-the-arc.

Among the Lakers players who have been placed in the league’s health and safety protocols include Malik Monk, Dwight Howard, Talen Horton-Tucker, Avery Bradley and Kendrick Nunn.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel was also added to that list, forcing David Fizdale to call the shots in their losing cause to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, December 19.

The Lakers are also missing the services of Anthony Davis.

Davis is expected to miss at least four weeks after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain to his left knee.

The only available players for the Lakers right now are LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Wayne Ellington, Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony, DeAndre Jordan, Trevor Ariza, and another player signed to a 10-day deal in Isaiah Thomas according to the Silver Screen and Roll.