Looking to add some depth at the point guard position, the Los Angeles Lakers have signed point guard Ronnie Price, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Other outlets have reported that the deal is for one year at the league minimum.
In an ideal world, Jeremy Lin would play the bulk of the minutes at the position, with Steve Nash getting the remainder. However, given Nash's inability to stay healthy the past two seasons, the Lakers needed someone reliable to spell Lin should Nash get injured once again.
Second-round pick Jordan Clarkson showed a promising jump shot in Summer League, but will likely be an in-over-his-head rookie. Ditto for free agent signee Keith Appling. Xavier Henry played a bit last year at the point, but it is not his natural position. Hence, Price fit the team's legitimate need for a veteran at the position.
Price has limited talent and is strictly backup material, but he can be relied on to at least defend and not commit turnovers.
The nine-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 3.4 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 rebounds over 425 games (35 starts). The 31-year-old Price spent his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2005-07), followed by stints with the Utah Jazz (2007-11), Phoenix Suns (2011-12), Portland Trailblazers (2012-13), and most recently with the Orlando Magic last season.
The 6’2’’ Price averaged a career-high 2.1 assists per game in 2013-14 with Orlando, in addition to 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 12.2 minutes over 31 games (two starts). The Texas native has appeared in the postseason four times (2006, ’08, ’09, and ’10) in his career.
More Lakers News
In other news, the Los Angeles Lakers also announced today that the franchise has signed a multi-year partnership deal with Time Warner Cable. Through the partnership, Time Warner Cable will serve as Official Sponsor of the Los Angeles Lakers across its core products and services, including digital cable, high speed internet, home phone, and IntelligentHome.
"We look forward to providing our customers and all Lakers fans a variety of opportunities and unique experiences they can enjoy in and outside the arena as an official sponsor of the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Jeffrey A. Hirsch, EVP and Chief Marketing/Sales Officer for Residential Services at Time Warner Cable.
Time Warner has not exactly been the most popular brand in LA of late, thanks to its fiasco of a deal with the Dodgers. That arrangement has resulted in a majority of region's households being left with no ability to see Dodgers games, despite the team having one of its best squads in recent memory.
Fortunately, for local Lakers fans, Time Warner's broadcasts of the purple-and-gold have been televised by other cable and satellite providers.
The Official Sponsorship designation deal will give TWC in-arena signage and fan engagement; hospitality; digital and print advertising; online promotions; and charity tie-ins, as well as other elements.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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