Tarik Black Waived by Los Angeles Lakers, Will Enter Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers cleared space on the roster and in the salary cap by waiving Tarik Black, the team announced Saturday.

The center averaged 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 67 games last season.

Per Spotrac, Black was set to make $6,655,325 next season, but the contract was only guaranteed after July 4.

Despite the uncertainty, the 25-year-old believed he would be returning to Los Angeles next season.

"If they weren't interested in bringing me back, they would've just said, 'Well, it's nice having you Tarik, we enjoyed you, we'll be in touch,'" Black said in April, per Mark Medinaon Inside the Lakers. "The fact they're sitting there, having the conversation and listening to my questions and they seriously answered them and we talked about development, it just gives me confidence moving forward."

This mindset ended up being false; the 6'9" big man now has a chance to sign a new deal with any team this summer.

The newly acquired Brook Lopez will get the majority of time at center for the Lakers, while Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac will also rotate in the frontcourt.