Lakers waive Coby Karl
Just got word from El Segundo that Coby Karl has been waived. It's not a huge surprise, and while it's obviously bad news for Karl, in many ways it's good news for Laker fans because it means the team is pretty confident in the condition of Sasha Vujacic's ankle. In the end, Karl got caught in a numbers game. The Lakers like keeping that 15th slot open for in-season transactions, and given their financial situation it's hard to justify paying luxury tax rates for a D-League player with some potential.
Karl is a nice kid who works hard, and hopefully he'll be able to find his way back into the league. Click below for the press release.
BK
LAKERS WAIVE
COBY KARL
EL
SEGUNDO -
The Los Angeles
Lakers have waived free agent guard Coby Karl, it was announced today.
Karl, who was
signed by the Lakers as an undrafted rookie free agent on July 30, 2007,
appeared in 17 games last season, averaging 1.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in 4.2
minutes.
Karl also played
in 17 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League last
season where he averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals
in 37.6 minutes while posting a .411 3-point field goal percentage. In the
D-Fenders’ two playoff games, Karl averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5
assists and 2.0 steals in 37.0 minutes.
Karl, a 6-5
guard from Boise State, averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a
senior and was named First Team All-WAC. Karl’s 1,698 career points ranks third
on Boise State’s all-time scoring list while leaving Boise State as the all-time
leader in games played (127) and three-pointers made (266).
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
NO!
NO!
NO!
NO!
NO!
URGH!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 27, 2008 at 11:36 AM
NO, NO, NO! I REST MY CASE
Posted by: MAMBA24 | October 27, 2008 at 11:37 AM
What's up Lakerville!
It's almost game time... the start of our push to get back to the NBA Finals. And who better to serve as the foundation of the Lakers defense than none other but The Beast, Andrew Bynum!!! Happy Birthday, Drew!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: SamLL | October 27, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Liked the kid's attitude for the game.
Never liked his game skills.
Good luck Coby Karl! and lets go Lake show!!!
Posted by: Outsidergua | October 27, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Although it was entirely expected, I'm sad to hear it. Best wishes to Coby Karl. If he can overcome his battle with cancer, he can find a way back into the league. I can see him becoming a Sasha-type player for another team someday.
Posted by: EJK | October 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
I thought after the last preseason game they would keep him on board. I really hope he gets a chance to play somewhere, with all the battles he has gone through, and his great attitude, plus the obvious talent should land him a spot somewhere if not in the NBA maybe Europe.
Posted by: Tej | October 27, 2008 at 11:51 AM
i hope we can somehow sign him with the defenders so we can keep him close, i like his potential.
Posted by: ose | October 27, 2008 at 11:55 AM
They should rehire him at the minimum or at least sign him to the Defenders.
Urgh.
Go Defenders!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 27, 2008 at 11:56 AM
It's probably best for Coby. Maybe he goes to Europe and plays a couple years, then comes back to the NBA.
He's never going to get any better sitting on the Laker bench year-after-year.
Posted by: Eric M. | October 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Couldn't the Lakers have dumped Sun Yue in the D-League?
I mean, Coby Karl >>>>> Sun Yue right now in terms of NBA ready.
Plus, Coby's a fan favorite.
I am not pleased.
I was waiting to chant COBY COBY during 4th quarters...
Son of George Karl will be missed by this Lakers fan.
Posted by: PeanutButterSpread | October 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM
From P.E. :
---Until the Lakers avenge their loss to the hated Boston Celtics in last summer's NBA Finals, the fashion-conscious guard has vowed to abstain from wearing anything green. No camouflage shorts. No lime hairbands. Not even a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" T-shirt on St. Patrick's Day.
"Everyone has their own thing, and that's my thing," Vujacic said. "I've decided not to wear green again until we beat them in the Finals."---
Come on everybody!!
NO MORE GREEN!!
Go Lakers!!
dan
Posted by: dan the man | October 27, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Good Luck Coby! I hope you will find another good team who has the spot to utilize your talent. You and Rony will be terribly missed. Two feel good person and teammate.
Posted by: Lakergurl | October 27, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Sounds like they're keeping some roster room for that Lamar trade everyone knows is coming....
Posted by: Mayor of Kobe-Town | October 27, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I feel bad for Coby personally, but really this isn't a loss in any sense.
He'd done an admirable job of replacing Sasha as the "shooter that doesn't actually make shots" but with a team this deep (and salary so high) we just can't afford to have guys like that anymore.
Good luck, Coby!
Posted by: Xodus | October 27, 2008 at 12:14 PM
You should have no problem chanting KOBY KOBY during 4th quarters...lol
Posted by: dan the man | October 27, 2008 at 12:18 PM
coby karl can play...best of luck to him...i hope he lands on a nba squad and is able to contribute.
he was only gonna get mop up time with us, if that.
the lake show has some bigger fish to fry.
blazers gonna come out strong tomorrow night.
c'mon lake show!
Posted by: tha show | October 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
"koby", man, I need to wake up!! lol
Posted by: dan the man | October 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
PeanutButterSpread,
Coby Karl is better than Sun Yue. Significantly so.
Urgh.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 27, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Tis a shame, but a necessary one.
Posted by: stevevillakers | October 27, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Jon K,
>>>They should rehire him at the minimum or at least sign
>>>him to the Defenders.
They were already paying him a minimum contract. But
with the luxury tax situation, and it being the second year
of a minimum contract, that made it over a million and a half.
Considering they could find someone with Coby's skill level
at the drop of a hat any time during the season, there's no
real reason to pay a million and a half to have him sit on the
bench most of the time.
I wager he'll sign with the D-Fenders and if one of the Lakers
guards gets injured, they'll sign him to a 10-day contract.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Jon K,
The only problem in saying that Coby is better than Sun Yue is that it's a lot like saying Darko Milicic is better than Kwame Brown. At the end of the day, both guys suck.
Posted by: Xodus | October 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM
>>>Coby Karl is better than Sun Yue. Significantly so.
Today. But I think Sun Yue has much more potential. Some
time in the middle of next season, Sun Yue will have a game
so good that some of you will be calling for Kupchack to trade off
Farmar because Sun Yue is the PG of the future.
And for today, neither Karl nor Yue were going to get anything
other than garbage time minutes for this team.
Why pay 1.6 million for a bench warmer?
I'd be happy to warm the 15th seat on the Lakers bench for
a mere 100K. Oh heck, I'd pay THEM 20K to warm the 15th
seat on the Lakers bench. :-)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 27, 2008 at 12:37 PM
c'mon lake show! Posted by: tha show | October 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
tha SHOW my brother how you been. How was your summer.
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM
c'mon lake show! Posted by: tha show | October 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
tha SHOW my brother how you been. How was your summer.
Posted by: Mamba24 | October 27, 2008 at 12:39 PM
It just wasn't meant to be for Coby.
Thanks for the memories, good luck in another team.
Now onto our team...can't wait for opening night! Woo hoo!
Posted by: Faith | October 27, 2008 at 12:44 PM
>>>Coby Karl is better than Sun Yue. Significantly so.
Oh, and by the way... comparing their preseason stats:
Coby Karl :
10.6 minutes per game in 8 games
2.5 points on 28% shooting
1.3 rebounds
.6 assists
.13 steals
Sun Yue:
6.8 minutes per game in 6 games
0.8 poitns on 12.5% shooting
.5 rebounds
.33 steals
.17 blocks
Neither of these guys made a play for preseason MVP.
Both of them improved with each game they played.
If Sun Yue had played in all 8 games and gotten the same
number of minutes as Coby, I'm sure they would have had
very comparable stats.
Coby has a year of experience where he actually played
a few minutes in real games that actually counted last
season. Sun Yue is a rookie with no real NBA experience.
Chalk up his weak play to "league shock".
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 27, 2008 at 12:44 PM
...I think he'll get a shot somewhere eventually
I think his dad is one of the most overated coaches in NBA history and always has been but I liked Cobe.
I agree with Eric though it will be better for him in the long run if he goes somewhere he can play....if he cant capitalise on what he's already done and get picked up this season.If not he can go to Europe and he'll always get opportunities in the NBA in the future due to his experience and connections.
Good luck anyway Cobe - we know you'll respond the right way.
Posted by: Kiwi | October 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM
As a basketball business move, it's reasonable. As a feeling fan, I'll miss him. I think it's the bond he shares with his dad and the look in George Karl's eyes when his son does something positive on the floor.
He has the IQ to produce meaningful minutes here but he'd just be injury insurance.
Hope he lands on a Eruo team, meets a hot Italian model
and dominates the league with a smile on his face all year.
Go Coby
Posted by: | October 27, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Xodus,
"At the end of the day, both guys suck."
Ouch-Zing! lol
Posted by: Faith | October 27, 2008 at 01:03 PM
? Coby Karl is better than Sun Yue? LOL! Wow... just... wow... Don't get down on Yue, let the guy bounce around this year and next year he'll probably surprise you.
Hey, Coby's a nice guy but he was never going to play, not this year, not next year, not the year after. I'm glad they're keeping a roster space open, "somebody" will have to be moved, there just aren't enough minutes available. That SF slot is crazy, even if there were an injury, there STILL wouldn't be enough minutes available because Kobe will slide up and Sasha or Ariza can play the SG slot.
You'd think Luke Walton would be the most likely to go but... who knows? Lamar? Radmanovic? Mihm? They have all shown they have value this preseason. I'd like the Lakers to get a young, raw player, like a high draft pick, sit him on the bench and let him develop for a year but... for what position? We're stacked for the next few years, Bynum at C, Gasol at PF, SF - we've got a crew, Kobe at SG and at PG, Fisher isn't going anywhere and Farmar is making a strong push for the starter's job.
I guess that's a nice position to be in...
Posted by: Stay Thirsty My Friends | October 27, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I've seen enough of Coby. I saw him in college. Good luck to him and hope he stays healthy.
Hollinger don't like the Lakers, but he likes that Farmar:
John Hollinger: (3:58 PM ET ) What the heck. Bulls beat Milwaukee by 11 as Skiles looks longingly at opposite bench; Celtics hold off Cavs by five despite 43 from LeBron; and Lakers emerge with a ragged seven-point win over Portland when Jordan Farmar takes over early in the fourth quarter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob, Denver: ..."Jordan Farmar takes over early in the fourth quarter." Oh, man, that was rich!
John Hollinger: (4:00 PM ET ) Gotta roll the dice a little -- but seriously, I have a major man-crush on Farmar, I think he's going to be very good. Just not sure if it's this year.
Posted by: mel | October 27, 2008 at 01:06 PM
LTLF
"Sometime in the middle of next season, Sun Yue will have a game so good that some of you will be calling for Kupchack to trade off Farmar because Sun Yue is the PG of the future."
Sorry to have to ask for clarification, but was that a serious prediction or a joke?
Posted by: Eric M. | October 27, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
I appreciate your use of statistics to support your argument. That's always a reasoned approach. However, as Mart Twain said, "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics."
In this particular case, your argument based upon marginal statistics has not swayed me.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 27, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Ohhhh man...come on, I know this is a business but I would've kept Coby over tham damn scrub Sun Yue. This hurts man...why not send him to the D-League instead??? Ugh...I'm just disgusted right now and I'm gonna be even more pissed off when this friggin' dumbass scrub from China does absolutely nothing for us this season.
I'm out...I'm so heated right now.
Posted by: EastCoastJessie | October 27, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Aaaw too bad! I saw more potential in him in these preseason games than I'd ever seen before. I felt like he started to show some confidence out there. Sun's been lackluster to say the least, but I hope they chose him over Coby because he's shown the coaching something he may be too shy to show to all of us out here.
Good luck, Coby!!!
Posted by: AG | October 27, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Why is everyone feeling bad for Coby, the guy seems to be hard-worker and a charming dude, but since this is a BUSINESS, a cut had to be made and Coby will be just fine.....In fact, I think his dad should sign him. Those nuggets can certainly use him.
Coby needs to work that much harder to improve his skills and get a job in the NBA. I personally like Sun Yue's potential.....Can't really judge him in the preseason, we'll see how he develops.....
LETS GET READY FOR THE RUN AT THE BLING-BLING !!!!!!!
Posted by: JC Blue | October 27, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I wish CK the best of luck.
Posted by: Charles | October 27, 2008 at 01:36 PM
On this team someone like Karl is not going to be needed enough (if at all) to keep him for what he will actually contribute this season. And, especially with a contending team, there is very little coaching/practice/playing time available for development of players who aren't going to be contributing this season. So in the long run, who has the potential to be better/is more likely to fill a need for the Lakers? Management sees PG as more needy in the (relatively) near future than SG, and probably believes that Yue has a higher ceiling than Karl. Thus it makes more sense to spend those "time" resources on Yue.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 27, 2008 at 01:39 PM
AK/BK or anyone else
This is off topic i know, but im just wondering. Do you guys think that kobe ever turns on the tv or goes on youtube and see a couple of his highlights and goes like "whoa, how did i do that?" I know kobe has never really been that egotistical as far as his talent is concern, but even he must admitt some of the things he does are almost unbelivable. I'm just wondering if anybody thinks the same on this boring slow monday.
Go Lakers
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | October 27, 2008 at 01:41 PM
NO MORE GREEN!
Wait, one exeption.
----------------------------------------------------------
-----
What is this team gonna do next? They closed off the pre-season as the leading team and I expect them to continue though their 08-09 campaign.
I'm a stong advocate of Prop 18-2 Start!
Prop 18-2 Start benefits our chances of home court advantage.
ch
Posted by: canibus hog | October 27, 2008 at 01:44 PM
don't blame Sun for Coby's dismissal.
This is better for Coby anyways. 2nd year guys at the end of the bench with zip playing time is sad. He may do well in Europe.
For those who are trashing Sun for his performance in his minimal minutes, remember all those people who wanted to trad Sasha just a year or two ago?
His skills and athletic ability will shine someday. Patience.
Posted by: jq | October 27, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Long Time Laker Fan,
That's among the boldest predictions I've ever heard. Wow.
I've got to say I wholeheartedly disagree with that. But there's nothing wrong with being bold!
Posted by: Xodus | October 27, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Fish and Farmar seem to be feeding off of each other... this kind of continued guard play is just what the Lakeshow needs.
Love it, love it, love it.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | October 27, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Coby is better than Sun Yue right now. HOWEVER if they dump Sun Yue they lose sales, merchandise and a potential untapped Chinese fan base. Plus you have a lot of Chinese or Asian fans that wont be happy.
Soooooooooo financially they made the right decision.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: LakersInsight | October 27, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Hehehe....
The road back to the NBA Finals starts tomorrow. I'm so stoked!
Now that my Dodgers were eliminated in the NLCS and my Rams are wallowing in the NFC West, I can now fortunately focus on basketball & rely on my beloved Lakers to lift my spirits back up as the start of a great season gets under way.
Sorry to hear that Coby Karl was waived. I liked the kid, but I'm not completely surprised by the move. Hopefully, the Defenders sign him, so he can stay in the area & learn the Triangle even more. It was neat to see the great deal of pride gleaming from his dad's eyes when he watched his son play. Their cancer & father-son relationships are great stories. I wish him well.
I haven't seen hardly any of Sun Yue's play, so I can't comment on his skills or potential. However, I do think that Sun Yue should be sent down to the Defenders to get an accelerated education on the Triangle offense by getting the necessary playing time.
Happy 21st Birthday Drew! Don't go too crazy celebrating tonight. You have an important game tomorrow night against a really good team in the Trailblazers. (I love Brandon Roy's game. I thought he was solid when he was playing college ball at Washington.)
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Stephen W. | October 27, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Coby should sign up with the Nuggets. Can't stand the Nuggets but I'd still root for Coby.
Showtime on Tuesday!
Colorado loves the Lakers!
Posted by: Hugo Boss | October 27, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Sun and Coby both suck. Karl will never be anything in the NBA and Sun Yue has looked like the worst player in the NBA this preseason. Neither will help the Lakers this year or next year so none of this matter. Lets worry about Kobe's knee and how Lamar will fit in with the second unit, how well Farmar and Ariza have been playing and how Phil will use the rotations. Now that's some exciting stuff.
Lamar = 6th man of the year
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | October 27, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Lakersinsight,
The most important thing is that Sun Yue has a guaranteed contract while Coby doesn't.
Posted by: Xodus | October 27, 2008 at 02:07 PM
>>>The only problem in saying that Coby is better than
>>>Sun Yue is that it's a lot like saying Darko Milicic is
>>>better than Kwame Brown.
Not really. It's more like saying Darko Milicic is better than
Roy Hibbert or Kosta Koufos.
When Hibbert and Koufos actually get a chance to play, it
may turn out that they're better than the second biggest bust
of all time (Kwame being the biggest).
But even that comparison isn't fair, because Karl had zero
expectations. He was undrafted. He wasn't SUPPOSED to
make it in the NBA, as both Darko and Kwame were.
And when Sun Yue gets a chance to play, he may turn
out to be better than Coby Karl (or Darko or Kwame for
that matter).
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | October 27, 2008 at 02:15 PM
LakersInsight,
"Coby is better than Sun Yue right now. HOWEVER if they dump Sun Yue they lose sales, merchandise and a potential untapped Chinese fan base. Plus you have a lot of Chinese or Asian fans that wont be happy."
Exactly.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | October 27, 2008 at 02:15 PM