New Zealander Tait-Jones released by the Los Angeles Lakers in training camp
New Zealand basketball player Tait-Jones, who played last season for Latvia's Valmiera Glass/ViA, failed to earn a roster spot with the NBA's Lakers and has been waived. He is expected to continue his career in the NBA G League.
Basketball player Tait-Jones of New Zealand, who was one of the leading players for Latvian club Valmiera Glass/ViA last season, will not be on the Los Angeles Lakers' roster for the upcoming NBA season. The NBA is North America's professional basketball league.
Tait-Jones signed a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles club on 14 October. After a few days in training camp he was unable to win a place on the main team, and the club released him.
What comes next
The New Zealander is expected to play in the NBA G League, the NBA's development league, for the Lakers' affiliate team, the Coachella Valley Lakers. An Exhibit 10 contract allows a player, after being waived by an NBA team, to join that team's development league squad.
Success in Latvia
Last season Tait-Jones helped Valmiera Glass/ViA, coached by Kaspars Vecvagars, win the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League, the Latvian Cup and the Latvian Basketball League (LBL).
In the Latvian-Estonian League he averaged 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. In eight LBL playoff games his averages were 19.1 points, eight rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was also named most valuable player of the LBL finals series.
