Lakers NBA Rumors and News: Preseason Roster Adds Wayne Ellington From the Mavs

By Arvin Donguines, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, September 23, 2014

As announced by Lake Show Life, five-year NBA veteran Wayne Ellington from Dallas Mavericks has signed with the LA Lakers for their pre-season roster on Monday.

The 26-year-old shooting guard posted career-highs last season in field-goal percentage (43.7 percent) and three-point shooting (42.4 percent). As cited by BasketballReference.com, Ellington's career average within three feet of the basket is 61 percent.

Playing for the University of North Carolina for three seasons, Ellington has led the Tar Heels to the NCAA national champions in 2009 which consequently earned him the Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.

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One of Ellington's distinct attributes is his vertical ability. He was listed at a solid 31-inch standing vertical, "but a very good 38-inch two-step vertical."

"The signing of Wayne Ellington adds depth at the shooting guard slot. Xavier Henry isn't expected to be 100 percent by training camp. This allows the Lakers to get a perimeter spacer in Ellington, while sliding Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, and Wesley Johnson to the small forward spot depending on need," the sports site reported.

Ellington's entry to the team covers up the loss of Jodie Meeks who, at the last season, was "arguably their most valuable player." Like Meeks, the UNC alum possesses similar strengths such as being a tremendous shooter and athletic finisher.

Nonetheless, working with new players means he has to either improve or make changes of his ball-handling and defensive styles.

Currently counting 14 players under contract, the LA Lakers has yet to fill in their plan of having at most 20 ballers for their training camp roster.