Lakers acquire draft rights to Brad Newley

Brad Newley could be swapping the purple and gold colours of the Sydney Kings for the LA Lakers, should his time for the NBA arrive.

The Los Angeles Lakers just executed a trade with the Houston Rockets, sending Marcelo Huertas for guard Tyler Ennis. What was not immediately obvious in this trade, was that Aussie swingman Brad Newley's draft rights were also sent to the Lakers.

Brad Newley, the 2004/05 NBL Rookie and 6th Man of the Year, was drafted in 2007 by the Houston Rockets with the 54th pick, and previously played in the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League with the Rockets during the 2007/08 and 2009/10 seasons.

A veteran Boomer, Newley was a surprising omisssion from the recent Boomers team that participated in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Newley was also a key part of this season's Sydney Kings, and averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4 assists in 33.2 minutes a game (source) this 2016/17 season, making All-NBL Second Team honours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHLJn7kTZKE Following the conclusion of the Sydney Kings' NBL season, he has signed with AEK Athens and is currently playing in Greece. Now entering his 10th year in Europe, Newley last played with Herbalife Gran Canaria in the Spanish ACB (Liga Endesa) prior to returning to Australia to play with the Sydney Kings.

Credit to The Silver Screen and Roll for spotting Newley in this trade.