HoopsHype.com Rumors

Russian powerhouse Spartak SPB announced the signing of Darius Johnson-Odom. The Lakers draftee started the season in NBA playing 4 games. Sportando

Russia, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Los Angeles Lakers: OFFICIAL: Lakers have waived guard Darius Johnson-Odom. He appeared in 4 games this season, totaling 4 rebs & an assist in 6 minutes. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Gasol isn’t the only player the Lakers have explored moving, sources near the situation say the Lakers would like to open up a roster spot to add a new player or two so don’t be surprised if guys like Jordan Hill, Devin Ebanks, Darius Morris or Darius Johnson-Odom are moved in exchange for a backup point guard or a second round draft pick in order to open a spot for the Lakers to sign one. HoopsWorld

Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Ebanks, Jordan Hill, Darius Morris, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Mike Bresnahan: Robert Sacre just sent to Lakers' D-League affiliate, the L.A. D-Fenders. Darius Johnson-Odom down there, too. Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Los Angeles Lakers, D-League, Robert Sacre, Darius Johnson-Odom 

The Lakers assigned rookie guard Darius Johnson-Odom to the D-Fenders, the team's Development League affiliate, for the second time this season. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, D-League, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Dave McMenamin: Darius Johnson-Odom, fresh off his rookie debut in the Lakers' win on Friday, has been assigned to the D-Fenders of the NBA D-League Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, D-League, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Royce Young: The Lakers have assigned Darius Johnson-Odom to the D-Fenders D-League team. Making a roster spot for Phil Jackson? #thisisajoke Twitter @EyeOnBasketball

Los Angeles Lakers, D-League, Darius Johnson-Odom 

MT: With luxury tax implications I know it can be difficult to keep a full 15 players on the roster, with Darius Johnson-Odom grabbing the last spot? Kupchak: As a later second round draft pick like Johnson-Odom, that's the lowest number that you can be paid of anybody in the NBA. When you look at our payroll, which is approaching $100 million, as a percentage of payroll it's really not that much. On the other hand, I don't expect ownership to expand payroll, and these contracts do have some flexibility to them in the fact that they are not guaranteed. (Sacre and Johnson-Odom) are going to have to continue to perform at a high level, but for the time being, it gives us some roster flexibility going forward. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Darius Johnson-Odom 

The Lakers have unofficially decided to go with 15 players to start the season. Teams are required by the league to submit their opening-night rosters on Monday. If non-guaranteed players Darius Johnson-Odom and Robert Sacre weren't going to make the team, they would have been cut before Sunday to allow for the 48-hour waiver period. Coach Mike Brown indicated after practice that he doesn't expect the team to drop any additional players before the start of the season. "I don't think so right now. I'll wait and see what management says and ownership," said Brown. "Right now this is where we stand. For how long? I don't know." Johnson-Odom and Sacre can be released at any point, until their deal becomes guaranteed in January (or sooner if specifically stipulated in their contracts). Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Robert Sacre, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Both Goudelock and Douglas-Roberts have since been waived; Johnson-Odom remains. "He's got a long way to go. He's a good guy, works hard, athletic, explosive," said Brown. "He's strong. He's got some intangibles." Don't expect Johnson-Odom to see the court much as a rookie. "He's a young guy that doesn't quite have a feel for the NBA game," said Brown. "It'd be some time before he's ready." Time is about all Johnson-Odom can ask for. "Coach Mike talked to me after practice today and said 'Just keep working.' There's not going to be a lot of reps for me in the beginning but I've just got to keep working," said Johnson-Odom. "I've just got to wait my turn. It's just not my time right now and hopefully I'll get that chance." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Robert Sacre, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Darius Johnson-Odom will start his pro career in Ukraine with Azovmash Mariupol. Yesterday we anticipated the news and today we got another confirmation about the next arrival of the rookie in Ukraine. Johnson-Odom is still with the Lakers at the camp but in the next hours he will be waived and, as free agent, will move to Azovmash. In the club he is going to replace Nemanja Gordic. Sportando

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Ukraine, Darius Johnson-Odom 

The future of Darius Johnson-Odom will likely be in Ukraine with Azovmash Mariupol. The rookie will be released by the Lakers with whom he is at the camp. Johnson-Odom might replace Nemanja Gordic in the Ukrainian club. Sportando

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Ukraine, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Emiliano Carchia: Lakers will waive Darius Johnson-Odom soon I am told Twitter @SportandoBasket

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Darius Johnson-Odom 

The Lakers are leaning toward keeping 14 players on their roster, one below the NBA maximum, meaning Robert Sacre might be the only one to stay among three players with nonguaranteed contracts. Sacre, the last player taken in the June draft, has averaged 5.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 24 minutes in preseason with the Lakers. Andrew Goudelock and Darius Johnson-Odom haven't received much playing time in exhibition play and are longshots to make the roster. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Greg Somogyi were cut Monday. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Andrew Goudelock, Robert Sacre, Darius Johnson-Odom 

I'm leaning more and more that it's Robert Sacre who makes the Lakers and that's it. I can't see Andrew Goudelock making it given Coach Brown is trying to develop him as a point guard - when the team already has FOUR point guards in Nash/Blake/Duhon/Morris. Darius Johnson-Odom is a nice prospect athletically but a 6'2" shooting guard can be a difficult fit when the team already has Kobe/Meeks/Ebanks at the position. Considering tax, I could see Lakers go with just 14. Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Andrew Goudelock, Robert Sacre, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Douglas-Roberts, a third-year player, played in four preseason games and averaged 4.0 points and 0.8 rebounds in 8.3 minutes. “(Douglas-Roberts) played well,” Coach Mike Brown said. “Obviously he didn’t play well enough to really stand out and earn that spot, but all four of the guys that we released … they made our camp competitive. They brought something to the table. That’s what you hope for from guys that you’re bringing to camp, that they can at least make it competitive.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Mike Brown, Andrew Goudelock, Robert Sacre, Darius Johnson-Odom 

Darius Johnson-Odom: From what I saw today I 100% disagree with those comments from the diesel lol Twitter @KingMe_DJ1

Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal, Darius Johnson-Odom 

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed rookie guard Darius Johnson-Odom, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Darius Johnson-Odom 

But don't take his word for it. Listen to the players themselves, who told their own version of events on Twitter after Gaskins spoke. Young Sun Kendall Marshall said "I'm turnin my playa card in." Blazer top pick Damian Lillard declared: "This man @TonyGaskins is too real. Y'all need to get up on him. He just changed my life. #realrap" Harrison Barnes, Darius Johnson-Odom, Draymond Green, Jared Sullinger, Andre Drummond and Quincy Acy all tweeted similarly. ESPN.com

Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger, Andre Drummond, Damian Lillard, Draymond Green, Kendall Marshall, Darius Johnson-Odom, Quincy Acy, Tony Gaskins 

Mike Bresnahan: The Lakers paid Dallas about $500,000 for the rights to Darius Johnson-Odom. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, Trade, Darius Johnson-Odom