<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Bryon Russell, a 10-year veteran who spent nine seasons in Utah and was a teammate of new Laker Karl Malone, signed a non-guaranteed, make-good deal with the Lakers and will join the veterans here Thursday. Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player with Russell's years of service would get a minimum of $1.07 million. The NBA would pay $381,000 of the contract, and that portion wouldn't count against the Lakers' salary cap. Russell, 32, who attended San Bernardino High, could be insurance at small forward in case Rick Fox (recovering from left foot surgery) doesn't make it back by January. The Lakers have rookie Luke Walton as the backup small forward to starter Devean George. Russell will be fighting for a roster spot with Jamal Sampson, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward/center. Sampson, who played in five games last season with Milwaukee, has a partially guaranteed contract in which he would get half of the $566,000 deal. With Russell, who was a part of the Jazz team that lost twice in the NBA Finals (1997 and 98) to the Jackson-coached Bulls teams, the Lakers have 15 players under contract. They plan on carrying just 14. "He's an experienced player," Jackson said. "He's definitely a defensive-minded player, a good spot shooter. He's been there in the Finals a few times. He knows what it takes to get there. Those are the real keys. By the grace of God, maybe he can make this squad because we've got a lot of numbers . . . But I think he fits well with us because Rick Fox is out until at least January." </div>Full Article Here: http://www.pe.com/sports/lakers/stories/PE...nl01.57bb5.html
He got very little minutes in Washington, so he should get very little in LA. If he's signed it will only be in case of an injury and to add some depth. Byron Russell's career is winding down so he shouldn't be able to do to much even if he somehow got chosen to start.
Fine signing for the Lakeshow. He should be on the team, at least until Fox comes back, but I am sick of these old Jazz scrubs (Foster, Russell, Malone) Not that Malone is a scrub!
He's a solid pick up for depth and insurance... But he'll probably just be another Isiah Rider / Greg Foster / Mitch Richmond...sit on the bench and watch the rest of the team get the W's.
Solid signing. He knows the offense and can still play defense. Should be good for Malone so he can have a guy to share basketball war stories with in the locker room.
