Lakers sign guard Dwight Buycks to 10-day contract

The Lakers signed point guard Dwight Buycks to a 10-day contract Friday.

The 6-foot-3 Marquette product went undrafted in 2011 but spent some time with the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors. Buycks logged 146 minutes over 14 games with Toronto, averaging 3.1 points a night.

“I’m just a hard worker,” Buycks said before the Lakers hosted the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. “I just come out there and do what the coach asks, try to make the guys around me better.”

Buycks has also played in China, Spain, France, Belgium and the NBA Development League, most recently with the Oklahoma City Blue.

The Lakers needed a fourth guard after losing Wayne Ellington to a shoulder injury on Wednesday during a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Coach Byron Scott said he didn’t expect to play Buycks on Friday, hoping to get the 26-year-old through a practice first, but foul trouble or injury could lead to a bit of improvisation.

With so many players sidelined for the Lakers (Kobe Bryant, Julius Randle, Ronnie Price, Nick Young and Ellington), the team was granted a hardship exception by the NBA to sign a 16th player.

Buycks will earn $48,028 for his 10 days. The contract will expire after the Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks on April 12.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.