Wayne Ellington thankful for Lakers’ support through personal tragedy

Guard Wayne Ellington met Tuesday with General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Coach Byron Scott for his exit meeting after his season ended early because of a shoulder injury.

“It felt worse before it started to get better,” said Ellington, who was injured on April 1. “I’ll probably need a few more weeks before I can start shooting again.”

Ellington’s father was killed in November in Philadelphia.

After taking a leave of absence, Ellington relied on his teammates to carry him through.

“It really meant a lot to me,” he said. “Coaches, the organization [and] my teammates -- everybody was so great.”

That’s something Ellington won’t forget.

“The way everybody supported me, I’m a little bit nervous about the off-season, not being around the guys,” he said.

Ellington became a regular starter for the team once Kobe Bryant’s season ended because of a shoulder injury.

“I got to show a lot more of my skills than I have in the past,” he said. “Hopefully it made a lasting impression.”

Through 65 games, starting 36, Ellington averaged 10.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 41.2% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range.

“I would like to be back with the Lakers, but you never know in this business,” said Ellington. “I told coach and Mitch that I want to be back.”

The 27-year old guard said he wants to improve his ball-handling, drawing fouls and speeding up the release on his jump shot.

Ellington also has a strong relationship with Scott, who coached him in Cleveland with the Cavaliers.

“I feel like coach and I have a really good relationship. We’re more than just co-workers,” he said. “He trusts me on the floor. He knows I’m not going to make a lot of mistakes. I’m not going to hurt the team.”

Ellington signed last summer on a one-year $1.1 million contract. He’ll be become a free agent in July.

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