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Lakers’ week in review

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference in El Segundo on Friday.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
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The Lakers finished the final week of the off-season and will be transitioning Monday to the preseason with the franchise’s annual media day.

The team added a number of players over last week, increasing the training camp roster to 19.

Free agent shooting guard Wayne Ellington was added on a non-guaranteed contract, with sizable portions locking in if he is still on the roster on key dates in November and December. The team also brought on veteran combination guard Ronnie Price, who has a similar contract.

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The Lakers invited four players to camp (Roscoe Smith, Jabari Brown, Keith Appling and Jeremy Tyler) on non-guaranteed summer contracts.

Of the 19 players on the roster, the Lakers can bring a maximum of 15 to the regular season.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak met with reporters Friday to preview the season, noting “championship” is still on the agenda.

Kupchak expects All-Star guard Kobe Bryant to make a strong return after missing all but six games last year with knee and Achilles’ tendon injuries. DeAngelo Hall of the Washington Redskins sought out Bryant for advice after tearing his Achilles’.

Rookie power forward Julius Randle will need to earn his time, according to Kupchak.

Though Kupchak hopes his team will flourish this season, the Lakers may not have the roster to truly compete in the Western Conference. It’s not quite clear how the Lakers get back on top.

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Meanwhile, former Laker Mike Penberthy took a job with the Minnesota Timberwolves as shooting coach.

New Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin ponders “Lindorsements” in his latest YouTube clip.

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

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