Los Angeles Lakers Release Player Before Pacers Game

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Armel Traore.

Dec 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers logo at center court at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Armel Traore had been in the middle of his rookie year playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 22-year-old appeared in nine games with averages of 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per contest while shooting 31.6% from the field.

On Friday, the Lakers announced that they had waived Traore.

Via Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times: "The Lakers have signed G Jordan Goodwin to a two-way deal and waived F Armel Traore. Lakers like Traore and would have interest in keeping him in the building with their G-League team if he clears waivers. Lakers have need for G depth after Chrstie/Reddish/Knecht trades"

The Lakers have signed G Jordan Goodwin to a two-way deal and waived F Armel Traore. Lakers like Traore and would have interest in keeping him in the building with their G-League team if he clears waivers. Lakers have need for G depth after Chrstie/Reddish/Knecht trades

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 7, 2025

In addition to his time with the Lakers, Traore (who was on a two-way deal) also saw a lot of action in the G League.

He is averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest while shooting 51.3% from the field and 34.4% from the three-point range in eight regular season games (six starts).

Via Rich Stayman of No Ceilings: "Someone with lottery intentions should swoop up Armel Traore. I liked him a lot last summer"

Someone with lottery intentions should swoop up Armel Traore. I liked him a lot last summer https://t.co/SQpVGIu9Fm

— Rich Stayman (@MavsDraft) February 7, 2025

The Lakers are the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 30-19 record in 49 games.

They are in the middle of a four-game winning streak (and are 8-2 over their last ten).

On Saturday afternoon, the Lakers will host the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles.

Oct 18, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Armel Traore (94) battles for position with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images / Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Following the Pacers, the Lakers will play their next game on Monday when they host the Utah Jazz.

At home, they are 17-6 in 23 games.

Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Armel Traore (94) during warm-ups against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images