Lakers going Green

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers have signed veteran guard Gerald Green and rookie free-agent forward Malcolm Thomas.

The Lakers also said Tuesday that forward Derrick Caracter will have surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Caracter was a second-round pick by the Lakers last season, playing sparse minutes as a reserve. He could be out for two months while recovering from surgery.

Green was a first-round pick of the Boston Celtics in 2005, and he won the 2007 slam dunk contest during All-Star weekend.

His career also includes stops with Minnesota, Houston and Dallas. He played four games in China this fall.

The six-foot-nine Thomas was a star defensive player at San Diego State for the past two seasons.