Lakers waive Darius Johnson-Odom, keep Robert Sacre

The Lakers have waived rookie guard Darius Johnson-Odom.

Johnson-Odom played in just four games for the Lakers this season but has spent most of his time with the team’s D-League affiliate where he’s the D-Fenders’ leading scorer at 20.6 points per game.

Monday is the final day for teams to cut players on non-guaranteed contracts; otherwise contracts lock in for the remainder of the season.

That’s good news for fellow rookie Robert Sacre is that his contract will now be guaranteed for the year. With Dwight Howard (torn labrum), Pau Gasol (concussion) and Jordan Hill (hip) all out with various injuries, Sacre is the projected starter for the Lakers on Tuesday night in Houston against the Rockets.

Johnson-Odom, a 6’2” athletic combo guard out of Marquette, was acquired by the Lakers in a draft-day trade from the Dallas Mavericks. He was taken with the 55th pick.

With the move, the Lakers open up a roster spot either for a free agent signing or a trade. Depending on how long the team’s trio of injured big men will be sidelined, the Lakers may need to sign reinforcements.

The team can either sign a player to a 10-day contract or for the remainder of the season. A veteran like Kenyon Martin is probably less likely to join a team if he’s only offered a 10-day deal.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.