The Los Angeles Lakers are, without any question, reeling. They blew a 13-point lead and lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that came in with an 11-23 record, on Friday, which dropped their own record to 17-19.
While many are pointing fingers at head coach Darvin Ham, it is clear that the team needs one or two more productive players in order to turn things around. Injuries have been somewhat of a factor — guard D’Angelo Russell and forward Rui Hachimura, two very capable offensive players, have been out lately.
On Saturday, the Lakers took a flyer on G League wing Dylan Windler, who had been playing for the Westchester Knicks.
G League G/F Dylan Windler has agreed on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. Windler had a 23-point, 33-rebound performance on Friday for the Knicks’ Westchester affiliate. pic.twitter.com/JXWAsnJ212
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 6, 2024
Windler, who is 6-foot-7, was a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019. He missed all of his rookie season with a leg injury, and he spent three more years with the Cavs before appearing in three games with the New York Knicks this season.
He has career NBA averages of 3.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 11.4 minutes while shooting 41.6% from the field and 32.5% from 3-point range.
In order to make room on their roster for Windler, the Lakers will reportedly waive big man Alex Fudge. In addition, they have also waived rookie guard D’Moi Hodge.
The Los Angeles Lakers will waive Alex Fudge in order to sign Dylan Windler to a two-way contract, sources told ESPN. As @wojespn first reported, LAL is bringing in the 6-6 wing who has shot 37.8% from 3 in his G League career.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 6, 2024
The Lakers announce they have waived D’Moi Hodge, who was on a two-way contract
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 6, 2024
The team will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday evening.
