Five days after being waived by the Phoenix Suns, the veteran swingman signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
“Jim Jackson has been a solid player for many years in the NBA and we feel he’ll be a good addition to our team,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “Being such a young team, he gives us veteran savvy as well as the ability to play multiple positions.”
The Lakers released forward-center Slava Medvedenko, who has been with the team for the last six seasons, to make room on the roster for Jackson.
Jackson, 35, averaged just 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 27 games, including one start, for the Suns this season. He last played on January 4 against Philadelphia.
The Suns had acquired Jackson from the New Orleans Hornets in January 2005. He averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 67 games four starts###with Phoenix last season.
The 6-6, 220-pound Jackson has career averages of 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 872 career games.
The fourth overall pick in the 1992 draft, Jackson has played for Dallas (1992-1997), New Jersey (1997), Philadelphia (1997-98), Golden State (1998), Portland (1998-99), Atlanta (1999-2001), Cleveland (2001), Miami (2001-02), Sacramento (2002-03), Houston (2003-05), New Orleans (2005) and Phoenix.
Medvedenko, 26, played in just two games this season before injuring his back in a November 9 contest at Minnesota.
“We’re sorry to have to let Slava go even though it was unlikely that he would’ve been able to play the rest of the season because of his injury,” Kupchak said. “He’s been a positive addition to us for six years, including helping us win two championships.”
The 6-10 Medvedenko was a reserve on the 2001 and 2002 championship teams. He averaged a career-high 8.3 points in 2003-04.
