Sources: Lakers claim Tarik Black off waivers
The Los Angeles Lakers claimed rookie center Tarik Black off waivers on Sunday, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Lakers waived injured forward Xavier Henry to clear a roster spot for Black, sources said.
The Charlotte Hornets had also made a bid to claim Black, but by virtue of a worse record, the Lakers had the ability to secure him.
Henry had been lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles.
Black, 6-foot-11, had been a training camp and early season surprise for the Rockets, an undrafted center out of Kansas who showed an ability to play in the NBA. Black has a non-guaranteed deal of $500,000 owed him for the season, and the Lakers will possess a team option of $845,000 on his deal for the 2015-16 season.
The Rockets had worked to trade a player to clear a roster spot for Smith, but ultimately decided to release Black on Friday.
Black played in 25 games for the Rockets, averaging 15 minutes. He averaged 4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 54 percent.
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