Lakers recall Ryan Kelly, Elias Harris from D-Fenders
The Lakers on Thursday recalled Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris from the D-Fenders.
The rookies spent the week working with the Development League team in preparation for the D-Fenders’ season opener against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Saturday.
Both will be available Friday night as the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors, with reassignment a strong possibility for Saturday to play the Vipers, followed by another recall to rejoin the Lakers on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.
Kelly and Harris have shuffled back and forth between the D-Fenders and the Lakers the last week, practicing with both teams.
The D-Fenders practice, and play their home games, at the Lakers’ practice facility. Time in the D-League is a valuable development tool given that the rookies don’t get big minutes, even in scrimmages, while practicing with the Lakers.
It’s likely Harris and Kelly will travel with the Lakers to Washington, Brooklyn and Detroit next week. They’ll then likely head to Santa Cruz and Bakersfield with the D-Fenders.
The Lakers currently have 15 players on their roster. Assigning players to the D-League does not open up spots for the Lakers to sign free agents.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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