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Not sure if some of you remember swingman Thomas Kelati from this past year's preseason camp. He surprised a lot of the trainers and coaches with his defensive prowess and athleticism, but the Lakers were unwilling to carry more than the 13 NBA minimum players.

Thomas Kelati could become one of the most wanted free agents of the summer. The 27-year-old American-Eritrean guard, close to get a Polish passport, admitted that Real Madrid, Regal Barcelona and Asseco Prokom has shown interest to sign him for the next season. Caja Laboral and Unicaja are also reported to have Kelati on the radar. At the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers (where Kelati played last preseaason) have offered him a guaranteed one-year contract to land in the NBA, though the player will likely stay in Europe. Kelati played last season for Power Electronics Valencia, averaging 8.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per season.

This English translation is a direct translation of the Spanish article. Basically, Kelati has done an amazing job playing overseas and has multiple contract offers for slightly lucrative amount of money. Lakers probably offered him a 1-year deal somewhere around the minimum to $1.5 million range. Would be happy if we could sign a steal like him. Mitch Kupchak does wonders in finding treasure where no one is looking i.e. Trevor Ariza, Shannon Brown, etc.

http://thehoopsmarket.blogspot.com/2010/06/real-madrid-regal-barcelona-and-los.html

Anyone that can play defense is always welcome on the Lakers

He would be that extra perimeter player the Lakers need especially if Shannon opts out.

KB24_ILLMATIC wrote:Anyone that can play defense is always welcome on the Lakers

Re-size that sig or I'll have to remove it before someone revokes your sig privileges.

hmm maybe we can target gafney(sp) also he turned heads also last year and was the last player cut

I remember this guy! I was secretly hoping that he'd take Sasha's spot! Bring him back!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAsCDojS-wA[/youtube]

Good shooter with decent defense, why not

an excellent excellent shooter. ive watched this kid before, can shoot lights out. dont think he'll take a 1 year contract though, if someone is offering him multi.

meh, i wanted tony gaffney

but hes a celtic now, anyone know if they've offered him a contract over there in boston?

"Power Electronics Valencia"? That's the team name?

Dammit Mitch! This guy is exactly what we need. And YES he is a better than Gaffney. I was hoping Lakers would keep him during that preseason. crafty fella on defense (no gambling) and a consistent 3pt shooter.

Do it Mitch! step it up on the offer!

Frantik wrote:Dammit Mitch! This guy is exactly what we need. And YES he is a better than Gaffney. I was hoping Lakers would keep him during that preseason. crafty fella on defense (no gambling) and a consistent 3pt shooter.

Do it Mitch! step it up on the offer!

Why sign this guy for 3 mill when we can get Miller for 5.5? The guy is 6'5", he's not going to be guarding Nash.

Every season there's at least one guy in Europe who claims to 'have an offer on the table from the Lakers...'

Maybe it's true but until the dude's in P&G it's really not much of a story.