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Randle hopeful mentor World Peace survives Lakers' cuts

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After waiving a pair of undrafted rookies earlier in the week, the Los Angeles Lakers' roster is now down to 17 players. While the task is now a little easier, head coach Byron Scott and company still have some tough choices to make ahead of Monday, when rosters have to be trimmed to 15.

As many as 12 players seem safe because of their guaranteed contracts, though the Lakers would be within their rights to eat a salary if they thought it gave them a better team. Failing that, however, there are five players on non-guaranteed deals ostensibly competing for three roster spots.

Marcelo Huertas seems to be fairly safe as the lone point guard in the group, as the Lakers would enter the season with only two natural points if he were cut. Tarik Black, meanwhile, stands to be the team's backup center, and can rest somewhat comfortably knowing that the Lakers would likely have to rely heavily on Robert Sacre if Black was waived. Jonathan Holmes has an appreciable guarantee but also has a dislocated shoulder, casting his status into doubt.

That means the primary roster battle in the final days of the Lakers' preseason - including Thursday's exhibition game - is likely the one between high-scoring two-guard Jabari Brown and veteran forward Metta World Peace.

The younger Brown seems to have a higher upside and more offensive potential, but the Lakers already have plenty of scorers. World Peace would add somewhat scarce veteran leadership, savvy defense, and a toughness the team's lacked over the last several seasons. Perhaps most importantly, World Peace has been functioning as a mentor to sophomore forward Julius Randle during camp, and the young forward sure sounds as though he wants the former Ron Artest around when the season starts.

"We're a better team with Metta," Randle said Wednesday. "It's not our decision if he's on the team or not. But Metta's knowledge and wisdom that he brings to this team is amazing."

World Peace declined to talk about his status - "not my concern," he said when asked - but based on his relationship with Randle, it sounds like the veteran may have a future as a coach, if there's not one for him as a Laker.

The 22-year-old Brown played in 19 games with the Lakers last year, averaging 12 points and 2.1 assists in 29.9 minutes, and he's averaged 6.2 points in 14.8 preseason minutes despite some shooting struggles. World Peace, meanwhile, has averaged 4.2 points, two rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 15.8 preseason minutes, his first NBA action since 2013-14.

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