The Los Angeles Lakers finally made their move to improve their lineup after claiming rookie forward Tarik Black off the waivers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls are intrigued on the idea of putting rookie Nikola Mirotic at small forward position.
Lakers Get Some Big Body
After failing to bring in Earl Clark, the Lakers landed a legit big man in Black, who was waived by the Houston Rockets to create a roster spot for Josh Smith last week.
Black, who was averaging 4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15.7 minutes of playing time for the Rockets, had also garnered interest from multiple teams, including the Charlotte Hornets, but the Lakers managed to salvage him off waivers because of their poor record.
"Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that the Hornets were planning on putting in a claim for Black. However, thanks to their record, the Lakers had waiver priority over the Hornets and other potentially interested clubs," via Hoops Rumors.
For the Rockets, the Lakers' decision to take Black allowed them to return below the luxury-tax threshold despite adding Smith, who was signed to a $2 million bi-annual exception.
The 23-year old Black is expected to back up Jordan Hill at the center position. In spite being undrafted, the 6-foot-11 forward is considered by several scouts as a promising big man because of his rebounding and excellent interior defense.
Mirotic at Small Forward?
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has been known for introducing new dynamics in the game. On Saturday, Thibs was at it again, and this time, his experiment was putting the 6-foot-10 Mirotic at small forward position.
Mirotic, who has become an emerging front runner for the Rookie of the Year, recorded 10 points on 3-for-8 shooting (2-for-4 from the three-point line) and added 6 rebounds in 17 minutes of action in a 107-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Thibodeau admitted that he is fascinated by Mirotic's versatility at his size, and perhaps, hell-bent on creating mismatches by starting the European prodigy at the wing.
"I just wanted to get a look at it," Thibodeau said in an interview with CBS Sports Cody Wester. "It was a start. I want to look at the film. We just have to figure out what we have to do, where we can play efficiently with him on the floor."
