The Los Angeles Lakers are guaranteeing the contracts of Austin Reaves and Wenyen Gabriel for the rest of the season, league sources told ESPN, with both young players making strong impressions as holdovers from last year's team.
The Lakers also signed Sterling Brown, a guard/forward out of the G League, to a 10-day contract.
"I'm super excited, it's a great opportunity," Brown said before Friday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. "It's a good team, good group of guys. I'm gonna come in, just try to bring a lot of energy and do what I do: knock down the 3-ball and try to guard. Make winning plays. That's what the team is about."
Lakers coach Darvin Ham was previously Brown's assistant coach when they were both with the Milwaukee Bucks.
"We have a great rapport," Ham said. "It's a welcome addition and being that it's 10-day time, we get a chance to kick the tires on a few different prospects."
L.A. is currently depleted in its wing depth with Lonnie Walker IV missing his fourth straight game Friday because of a bruised tailbone and tendinitis in his left knee, and Reaves (left hamstring strain) also ruled out.
The Lakers announced Friday that Reaves and Walker were both recently seen by Lakers medical personnel and it was determined they will both miss approximately the next two weeks before being reevaluated.
The Lakers, who have an open roster 15th roster spot, are expected to keep tabs on several free agents available around the league and could bring in players for workouts -- like they did with Brown on Thursday, along with former Dallas Mavericks guard Tyler Dorsey -- to get an in-person look, league sources told ESPN.