missmyzte
01-13-2006, 09:56 AM
Ronny Turiaf has agreed in principle to sign with the Lakers and will join the team by Monday, his agent said.
Turiaf, who had open-heart surgery less than six months ago, averaged 13 points and 6.3 rebounds in nine games with the CBA's Yakama (Wash.) Sun Kings.
"He's packing his bags and getting ready to fly down on Monday," said Turiaf's agent, Bouna Ndiaye, who said he finalized contract details with Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak on Thursday.
"We talked about terms and conditions of the contract and now [team owner] Dr. Jerry Buss has to approve everything. We're probably going to sign this weekend, or Monday at the latest. That's what we're expecting. I don't see any problems."
The Lakers play Miami on Monday, but Turiaf probably will not play.
This week, when it was not certain whether Turiaf would sign with the Lakers or accept a more lucrative offer in Spain, Laker Coach Phil Jackson said the second-round draft pick could play about six to eight minutes a game.
The Lakers must waive a player to accommodate Turiaf and will probably release guard Laron Profit, who is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.
Profit, who averaged 4.2 points, is owed his entire $836,000 salary, but the Lakers technically won't be paying it. The Washington Wizards gave the Lakers enough money to cover Profit's salary when he was acquired by the Lakers as part of the Kwame Brown trade in August.
Turiaf, 23, concluded his CBA stint with 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists Tuesday against Sioux Falls (S.D.).
"It's a dream for him, you know," Ndiaye said. "It's an amazing story. I think the crowd will be going crazy for him in his first [Laker home] game."
Link (http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakerep13jan13,1,3958917.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers)
Bryant said he could remember his words to forward Ronny Turiaf back in July, the same morning Turiaf met with reporters to talk about the open heart surgery he would need.
"I told him, 'This will pass,' " Bryant said. " 'I know it seems like it's tough right now. But it will all be a memory, just like that.' "
Turiaf, who returned Thursday to Spokane, Wash., now is poised to rejoin the Lakers only six months after undergoing surgery.
"What I've heard about him is he can really help us out just from the energy that he brings and how hard he plays," Bryant said. "He's a tough-minded kid."
The Lakers need to make a roster move to accommodate signing Turiaf. They likely will reach an injury settlement and waive either forward Slava Medvedenko or guard Laron Profit, neither of whom is likely to play again this season.
"It's not fair, it's not fun," Jackson said, "but it's not difficult because we have two players that look like their seasons are over for us."
Link (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_3397736)
:spin
Turiaf, who had open-heart surgery less than six months ago, averaged 13 points and 6.3 rebounds in nine games with the CBA's Yakama (Wash.) Sun Kings.
"He's packing his bags and getting ready to fly down on Monday," said Turiaf's agent, Bouna Ndiaye, who said he finalized contract details with Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak on Thursday.
"We talked about terms and conditions of the contract and now [team owner] Dr. Jerry Buss has to approve everything. We're probably going to sign this weekend, or Monday at the latest. That's what we're expecting. I don't see any problems."
The Lakers play Miami on Monday, but Turiaf probably will not play.
This week, when it was not certain whether Turiaf would sign with the Lakers or accept a more lucrative offer in Spain, Laker Coach Phil Jackson said the second-round draft pick could play about six to eight minutes a game.
The Lakers must waive a player to accommodate Turiaf and will probably release guard Laron Profit, who is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.
Profit, who averaged 4.2 points, is owed his entire $836,000 salary, but the Lakers technically won't be paying it. The Washington Wizards gave the Lakers enough money to cover Profit's salary when he was acquired by the Lakers as part of the Kwame Brown trade in August.
Turiaf, 23, concluded his CBA stint with 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists Tuesday against Sioux Falls (S.D.).
"It's a dream for him, you know," Ndiaye said. "It's an amazing story. I think the crowd will be going crazy for him in his first [Laker home] game."
Link (http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakerep13jan13,1,3958917.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers)
Bryant said he could remember his words to forward Ronny Turiaf back in July, the same morning Turiaf met with reporters to talk about the open heart surgery he would need.
"I told him, 'This will pass,' " Bryant said. " 'I know it seems like it's tough right now. But it will all be a memory, just like that.' "
Turiaf, who returned Thursday to Spokane, Wash., now is poised to rejoin the Lakers only six months after undergoing surgery.
"What I've heard about him is he can really help us out just from the energy that he brings and how hard he plays," Bryant said. "He's a tough-minded kid."
The Lakers need to make a roster move to accommodate signing Turiaf. They likely will reach an injury settlement and waive either forward Slava Medvedenko or guard Laron Profit, neither of whom is likely to play again this season.
"It's not fair, it's not fun," Jackson said, "but it's not difficult because we have two players that look like their seasons are over for us."
Link (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_3397736)
:spin