HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting ready for another postseason run and will likely face the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference. Derrick Caracter, on the other hand, is bound for Puerto Rico. It's not a vacation destination for the former Laker, but a stepping stone chance to get back in the NBA where he's spent the last two seasons. On Saturday, Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico's BSN -- or National Superior Basketball League as its officially known -- signed Caracter for the remainder of the season. Ridiculous Upside

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Puerto Rico 

Puerto Rican team Mets de Guaynabo signed for the season Derrick Caracter. The player has started the season in NBA with the Lakers but was assigned to Los Angeles D-Fenders (4 games at 15.5ppg and 7.5rpg). Caracter has also played with Rio Grande Valley Vipers (11.2ppg and 5.4rpg in 5 games) and Idaho Stampede (10ppg and 6.8rpg in 4 games). Sportando

Derrick Caracter, Puerto Rico 

Marc J. Spears: Former Laker big man Derrick Caracter going to D-League Rio Grande. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, D-League 

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Derrick Caracter, it was announced today. Caracter, who was assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League on January 25, has played 4 games (1 start) with the D-Fenders this season, averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 23.5 minutes. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter 

After his surgically repaired left knee kept him sidelined for the past 43 days, Lakers forward Derrick Caracter will finally return to the court. Just not in a Lakers' uniform. The Lakers assigned him to their Developmeant League affiliate, the D-Fenders, in time to appear in Thursday's game against the Bakersfield Jam. The Lakers sent rookie guard Andrew Goudelock on a D-League assignment during training camp, but Caracter's appearance marks the Lakers' first assignment during the regular season. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, D-League 

Caracter, who suffered the injury in the fourth day of training camp on Dec. 12, played a pretty modest role last season, averaging only two points in 5.2 minutes per game in 41 contests. He then had arthroscopic surgery two days later. Although the Lakers' backcourt hardly has provided much, Caracter's absence has meant little. Aside from his limited production last season, the Lakers' frontcourt already features Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and reserves, Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy. Meanwhile, the Lakers have relied heavily too much on rookie guards Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock because they remain depleted in the backcourt. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, D-League 

Derrick Caracter underwent successful surgery today to remove part of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, it was announced by the Lakers. The surgery, which took approximately 30 minutes, was performed by Lakers team physicians Dr. Steve Lombardo and Dr. Daniel Kharazzi at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Caracter is expected to be out a minimum of 4-6 weeks. RealGM

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Injuries 

Mike Trudell: Derrick Caracter is expected to be out at least 4-6 weeks after successful surgery to remove part of a torn lateral meniscus. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Injuries 

Mike Bresnahan: Derrick Caracter tore cartilage in his left knee and will have surgery Weds. morning. No timetable yet, but Lakers can't keep losing PFs. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Injuries 

Steve Kyler: Expect Lakers Devin Ebank and Derrick Caracter to be packed into Paul deal with Emeka Okafor heading to the Lakers. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, Derrick Caracter 

It remains unclear how the Lakers' roster will look now up through their season opener Christmas Day against the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers have plenty of unsigned players, including Shannon Brown, Devin Ebanks, Derrick Caracter, Joe Smith and Theo Ratliff. They can exercise the so-called amnesty clause by shedding ties with Metta World Peace (three years, $21.5 million) or Luke Walton (two years, $11.46 million). Free agency beginning on Dec. 9 will also contribute to the frantic environment leading to opening day. Still, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak told The Times' Mike Bresnahan that both rookies Darius Morris and Goudelock "probably deserve a chance to be looked at, and [they] have promise." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Shannon Brown, Mitch Kupchak, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, Theo Ratliff, Luke Walton, Joe Smith, Darius Morris, Metta World Peace 

After spending most of his summer training with IMG to improve his post moves, Lakers backup center Derrick Caracter will spend the next two weeks playing for the Impact Basketball Academy league. Dan Barto, the IMG's pro/college training coordinator who has worked with Caracter for the last three summers, confirmed the report from Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy that stated Caracter would be one of 40 NBA players competing in that league beginning Sept. 12 and ending with a championship game on Sept. 23. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Lockout, Las Vegas 

Alex Kennedy: Derrick Caracter is also training at IMG. He's working out and lifting every day. Caracter is on a customized plan to keep his weight down. Twitter

Derrick Caracter, Lockout 

Four second round picks won't fix what ails the Lakers. Remember how excited everyone got over Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks? Those guys will be ahead of whoever they draft next year. I think the Lakers will be very active this summer. If they won't trade Bynum ... Gasol is their next best chip. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, Draft, Trade, Pau Gasol, Javale McGee, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks 

Steve Kyler: Sources close to LA's Derrick Caracter say story that he pushed pregnant waitress is being overblown - DC being made an example of. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Law, Derrick Caracter 

Lakers rookie forward Derrick Caracter walked past a couple of reporters following practice Monday and declined to address his arrest early Sunday morning in New Orleans that involved him allegedly striking a cashier at a restaurant. Nonetheless, Caracter tweeted, "The truth will come out.. Believe me." "We're looking into the situation," said Lakers spokesman John Black, who addded Caracter's status on the team hasn't changed. "It's inappropriate to comment further at this time." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Law, Derrick Caracter 

Lisa Dillman: Eventful morning. New Orleans police dept issued correction to its earlier release. Waitress NOT pregnant. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Law, Derrick Caracter 

A back-up forward for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team was arrested and jailed early Sunday for hitting a pregnant waitress at a downtown International House of Pancakes while drunk, according to police. Derrick Caracter, 22, was arrested about 1:18 a.m. Sunday at the IHOP in the 800 block of Canal Street, said New Orleans Police spokeswoman Shereese Harper. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Los Angeles Lakers, Law, Derrick Caracter 

He "started grabbing and pulling" a pregnant waitress, prompting the manager to go outside and flag down a police officer, Harper said. The female officer tried to defuse the situation, Harper said, but Caracter remained obstinate. The officer arrested him. He was handcuffed and taken to Orleans Parish jail and booked with one count of battery for hitting the waitress, as well as one count each of public intoxication and resisting arrest. Each charge is a municipal violation, police said. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Los Angeles Lakers, Law, Derrick Caracter 

Lakers forward Derrick Caracter was arrested early Sunday morning in New Orleans after an alleged altercation near the team hotel, The Times has learned. Caracter was charged with battery. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Derrick Caracter