The Los Angeles Lakers will add a veteran by agreeing to a one-year deal with free agent point guard Marcelo Huertas who played the last four seasons with FC Barcelona.
Huertas started his professional career in his native homeland, Brazil, playing for FMU São Paulo and E.C. Pinheiros before heading to Europe in 2004.
In his time in Europe, Huertas played for Joventut Badalona, Bilbao Basket, Fortitudo Bologna and Saski Baskonia before his stint with Barcelona.
Huertas helped Barcelona reach the Euroleague Final Four in the past three seasons.
Last season with Barcelona, the 32-year-old point guard averaged 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in 28 games played, which included 16 starts.
Huertas also has a rich experience when it comes to international competition since he already played for Brazil numerous times and was the nation's main point guard in a number of competitions including the Olympics.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Huertas said last April that his strengths are playing in the pick-and-roll, seeing open teammates and also sinking midrange shots.
Joining the Lakers, Huertas will be with franchise star Kobe Bryant as they add experience and veteran leadership to a backcourt that features younger guys like 2015 second overall pick D'Angelo Russell, budding guard Jordan Clarkson, and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, who first reported about the deal, said in his report that Huertas gives the Lakers an "ideal partner" with Russell being groomed as the future face of the franchise.
Along with Russell and Williams, Huertas will be joining former All-Star center Roy Hibbert and forward Brandon Bass as notable players the Lakers added this offseason.
The Lakers will be opening their training camp next month and will begin the 2015–16 season at home as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Oct. 28.
