The LA Lakers Sign Ebanks, Caracter, but Can They Help Right Now?

CBSsports.com recently announced the Los Angeles Lakers had come to terms with rookie forwards Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter, and now the journey begins to see if both players can make the Lakers' final roster.

Ebanks showed plenty of promise during the NBA's summer league by averaging more than 15 points per game and displaying range on his jumper that was surprising to many observers.

However, summer league is by no means a good indicator of how a player will perform during the regular season, and considering the Lakers' free agency signings and Phil Jackson's disdain for rookies, it will be a surprise if Ebanks sees much time at all.

Los Angeles signed Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, and Theo Ratliff and all three players are expected to contribute significant minutes for the Lakers, and potentially take away time from Ebanks.

But, Ebanks will get a chance to make an impression in training camp, and he does have several attributes that could benefit the Lakers during the regular season.

The Lakers do not need Ebanks to score but the fact he arrives with a defensive reputation is important because his 6'9" frame gives the Lakers another long perimeter defender.

Barnes, Kobe Bryant, and Ron Artest form a potentially lethal perimeter defensive trio, and Ebanks could serve as an alternative to Artest and barnes in certain situations.

Ebanks is also a decent rebounder, and he will have ample time to learn the nuances of the Lakers' schemes, and observe how players like Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol fight for position in the paint.

The Lakers will likely choose to bring Ebanks along slowly, but I'm sure Mitch Kupchak recognizes he was very lucky to get a player with Ebanks' upside so late in the draft.

How much playing time Ebanks receives may be wholly dependent on Jackson, but if he shows enough talent to play for the Lakers immediately, will Jackson submit?

Ebanks' youth makes him a question mark, but his versatility is a plus, and it is possible for him to progress enough to be a contributor by the middle of the season.

Where Ebanks can have an impact on the perimeter, Caracter can potentially help the Lakers in a similar manner in the paint.

Caracter also had an impressive summer league in which he averaged more than 15 points per game, and was at times a dominant force in the paint.

But Caracter has battled weight and character issues, and the Lakers may be hesitant to take a chance on him should those problems re-surface.

Caracter could also help the Lakers with his polished footwork in the post, and his wide body that sometimes dwarfs the opposition for rebounding position.

A front line that includes Andrew Bynum, Gasol, and Ratliff would be bolstered by the addition of Caracter, making a front court that is among the best in the league even better.

In fact Caracter may be better prepared to play than Ebanks at this point because his responsibilities in the paint would not be as great as Ebanks' defensive responsibilities on the perimeter.

To be honest the Lakers do not need Caracter or Ebanks to compete for their third consecutive NBA title, but they could use the talents of both players to bolster their reserves.

And who knows, with a little luck both Ebanks and Caracter could find a spot in the rotation once the postseason finally rolls back around.