Los Angeles Lakers Waive Xavier Henry, Claim Tarik Black Off Waivers

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Xavier Henry and have claimed Tarik Black off waivers, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Xavier Henry, after a career year last season, only played nine games for the Lakers this season, averaging 2.2 points. He went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in November. The Lakers signed Henry to a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal this summer, but his devastating injury has ended his run with Los Angeles.

Tarik Black, the undrafted rookie out of Kansas, played 25 games with the Houston Rockets, including 12 starts. He averaged 4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds on 54 percent shooting. He had a non-guaranteed contract with the Rockets and was waived to clear a roster spot for Josh Smith.

Black will add much needed size for the Lakers off the bench. His hustle, energy, and rebounding could be beneficiary.

The Charlotte Hornets were also interested in Tarik Black and made a bid to claim him off waivers, but the Lakers, who have a worse record than the Hornets, had first priority.