The Los Angeles Lakers continue to fill their roster with the 2013-14 season fast approaching, and the newest player added to the team was Marcus Landry. Since going undrafted in 2009, Landry has appeared with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, but he was primarily outsourced internationally and to the NBA Development League. During his time with the Knicks, however, current Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni was parading the sidelines in New York, so D’Antoni was familiar with the signing.
However, the younger Landry—his older brother Carl currently plays for the Sacramento Kings—found himself playing internationally early into his career, so he lacks NBA experience. Landry spent time in China, Spain, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. Domestically, he appeared with the Maine Red Claws and Reno Bighorns of the D-League.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Landry garnered attention and earned his opportunity with the purple and gold due to a strong summer league campaign. Landry started four of the five summer league games in Las Vegas and averaged 15.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game.
Landry is a 6-foot-7 forward, and he now puts the Lakers at 15 players, which is the maximum number allowed at the start of the season. However, the Lakers expect to invite a few more players to training camp, so Landry’s place on the team is far from guaranteed—much like his contract.
With the recent signings of Elias Harris, Shawne Williams, and Xavier Henry, the Lakers have continued to fill roster spots with fringe NBA players who should be highly motivated to show their worth during training camp. Landry definitely fits that mold.
Despite showing maturity over the summer and continuing to work hard in the D-League and overseas, Landry enters training camp having appeared in a total of 18 NBA games and averaging 6.2 minutes per game. Considering he has not appeared in the NBA since the 2009-10 season, the 230 pound forward represents an altogether unknown quantity. Then again, the 2013-14 Lakers are also an altogether unknown quantity, so maybe he is the perfect fit.
Welcome to the Los Angeles Lakers, Marcus Landry.
