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Xavier Henry Returning To Los Angeles Lakers

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Xavier Henry (7) dribbles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Xavier Henry (7) dribbles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have made some wacky decisions in free agency so far this summer, but at least they still recognize a value deal when they see it.

As first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have agreed to a one-year deal with swingman Xavier Henry. The deal is worth the league minimum, nearly $1.1 million.

Henry, the 12th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2010, had a promising yet injury prone year with the Lakers last season. Though he only played in 43 games, Henry was a spark off the bench for Los Angeles when he was healthy, averaging 10 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He also shot nearly 35 percent from three-point range, he posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage AND he tea-bagged the crap out of poor Jeff Withey:

At only 23 years old, Henry is a solid addition to the Lakers bench and had it not been for a torn ligament in his wrist and a bone bruise in his knee, his breakout season would have gotten him an even better offer from someone in free agency.

Henry joins a revamped Lakers roster that has a little bit too much depth in the frontcourt after L.A. won the amnesty auction for Carlos Boozer. The Lakers have been busy this offseason, trading for Jeremy Lin, re-signing Nick Young, signing Ed Davis and drafting Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. According to Woj, the Lakers have also waived Kendall Marshall, but plan on re-signing him as well.

Henry has played for three different teams in his four years in the NBA and holds career averages of 5.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Though the Lakers have yet to hire a new head coach, it’s safe to say that Henry is a bargain deal given his breakout production last season and if he can stay healthy, he should be a regular part of L.A.’s rotation.

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