Phil Jackson Welcomes 'John Doe'; Sasha Vujacic Surprised by Trade

Filed under: Lakers, Nets, Wizards

WASHINGTON -- Phil Jackson wouldn't say if veteran big Joe Smith could be of service to the Los Angeles Lakers front court rotation. At least not directly.

"Well John Doe could, the way we're playing," Jackson said after the Lakers coasted to a 103-89 win Tuesday in Washington. "We're hoping that John Doe would be a big guy."

Smith is reportedly headed to the Lakers in a three-way trade that will send Nets guard Terrence Williams to the Rockets and Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic to the Nets along with two future first-round picks. FanHouse's Sam Amick confirmed the trade Tuesday afternoon.

Jackson wouldn't name names as the deal cannot be publicly discussed until Wednesday because of the inclusion of Smith, who signed as a free agent last summer and thus can't be traded until Dec. 15. The deal will be finalized after that deadline.

But it's clear Jackson is eager to add another big man to the Lakers' front-court rotation, which is currently short-handed even with the return of Andrew Bynum, who played his first game of the season Tuesday and played 17 minutes off the bench against the Wizards.

 

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