The Los Angeles Lakers have waived center Robert Upshaw and forward Michael Frazier.
The Lakers have waived Michael Frazier II & Robert Upshaw.
The roster now stands at 17.
PRESS RELEASE: https://t.co/UhUMMLlXlx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 20, 2015
While cutting Frazier was not much of a surprise, despite his potential as a three and D wing, waiving Upshaw was a much more shocking move. Upshaw, who once confidently stated he would make the Lakers’ regular season roster, was an undrafted free agent who seemed to have limitless potential as a rim protector. He had first round grades before the draft but his stock plummeted due to a heart condition (which he has since been cleared from) and due to being dismissed from two programs in one year as a result of drug use.
On a team not projected to win many games, most believed that Upshaw would receive the role of third-string center behind Roy Hibbert and Tarik Black, allowing the team to develop him into a consistent role player or even future starter. However, the Lakers decided to stick with a more established player in Robert Sacre, who has, for all intents and purposes, reached his ceiling. Sacre does not have any off-court questions and the Lakers brass has ultimately decided that is what the team needs.
Any team now has the ability to sign Upshaw though the Lakers may be hoping no one does so that they can sign him to their NBA D-league affiliate, the LA D-Fenders.
