Lakers Move Quickly and Sign Rookie Rush

Kareem Rush, acquired from the Toronto Raptors by the Lakers on draft day, has signed a contract with the three-time defending NBA champions, two days after negotiations were able to begin.

The Lakers acquired the rights to Rush, the 20th pick in the draft, along with forward Tracy Murray, in a deal that gave the Raptors guard Lindsey Hunter and the rights to Chris Jefferies, the 27th pick in the draft.

A 6-foot-6 guard, Rush made himself available for the draft after his junior season at Missouri. He averaged 18.9 points in 84 college games.

Under terms of the NBA’s labor agreement, Rush is eligible for a guaranteed three-year contract worth $2.8 million.

In other NBA news, the Miami Heat signed Caron Butler, the 10th overall pick.

Butler, a 6-6, 220-pound forward from Connecticut, didn’t miss a game because of injury in two seasons.

The Philadelphia 76ers signed Greek center Efthimios Rentzias. The team acquired his rights last week when it traded its 2004 and 2006 second-round draft picks to the Atlanta Hawks.