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Three Lakers waiting to make the cut

Lakers guard Andrew Goudelock says he hasn't been told whether the team will exercise their $789,000 option on him.
(Jim Prischin / Associated Press)
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Before the regular season starts, NBA teams have to cut their rosters down to a maximum of 15 players.

The Lakers currently have 16 players, 13 guaranteed, so at least one additional cut is a lock.

It can be rare for a team to let go of a player on a guaranteed contract. Recently the Cleveland Cavaliers waived guard Kelenna Azubuike and the Orlando Magic released former Lakers forward Christian Eyenga.

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Given that the Lakers are deep into the luxury tax, it would seem unlikely for the Lakers to trim a player whose salary is also taxed. If the Lakers cut seldom-used forward Earl Clark, the team would still owe him his full $1.24 million plus $1.24 million in luxury taxes. Clark is currently recovering from a groin injury.

Instead, the Lakers are more likely to drop from the pool of three players on non-guaranteed deals:

Robert Sacre: Taken 60th in the 2012 NBA Draft, Sacre played major preseason minutes at center while Dwight Howard worked his way back from surgery (herniated disk). Sacre shot 51.4% from the field, averaging 6.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game. He needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble but for a second-rounder, Sacre has shown more than enough to make the season-opening roster. Prognosis: Favorable.

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Andrew Goudelock: In stretches last season Goudelock impressed Coach Mike Brown. Over time he was phased out of the rotation. Goudelock can shoot and has a nifty floater off the dribble but he’s not a point guard. In the right situation, he’ll help a team as an undersized two guard. It just doesn’t look like that will be with the Lakers. Prognosis: Not promising.

Darius Johnson-Odom: The Lakers made a draft-day trade to acquire Johnson-Odom’s rights but Brown never seemed to give him any real minutes. Internet buzz has Johnson-Odom heading to the Ukraine once cut, but that hasn’t been confirmed. The Lakers have use for an athlete in the backcourt and Johnson-Odom is gifted. With Kobe Bryant, Jodie Meeks and Devin Ebanks ahead of him in the rotation, Johnson-Odom just doesn’t appear likely to make the cut. Prognosis: Unfavorable.

Final Prediction: The Lakers keep Sacre and head into opening night with 14 players on the roster.

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You can email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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