With just days to go before the start of the new season, the Los Angeles Lakers added another teenager to their ranks. This time, it came in the form of undrafted rookie, Quincy Olivari, who converted his deal to a two-way contract with the Lakers on Saturday.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have converted guard Quincy Olivari to a two-way contract,” wrote the Lakers in a statement. “Additionally, the team has waived two-way center Colin Castleton and guard Grayson Murphy.”
Olivari, a 6’3″ guard out of Xavier Univerisyt, declared for the 2024 Draft last season but after not hearing his name called in Brooklyn, he signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Lakers. Now, in the aftermath of an impressive preseason, Olivari has become one of the best stories of the year with a chance to earn his way on the actual roster. Not long after the latest news broke, Olivari himself put out a short public statement in response.
“God, thank u so much #41,” wrote Olivari on X.
After re-signing LeBron James this summer, the Lakers are desperate for anyone to step up and the hope is that one of their developing young players might be ready for a bigger role. With no games in the books just yet, it’s still too early to say which one will rise to the occasion.
Dalton Knecht was the first rookie picked up by the Lakers this year and he’s been killing it so far with standout performances in the Summer League and preseason. Bronny James was their final pick pick in the draft, and he’s very much a work in progress.
As always, Rob Pelinka looked beyond the draft for reinforcements and he found some with his newest batch of young players. Quincy Olivari has been among this group ever since going undrafted in June and he played well enough to earn national attention.
Friday’s game against the Warriors was his best one yet with 22 points (on 5 made threes) and 7 rebounds in 39 minutes and he got to pay respect to his longtime basketball idol, Stephen Curry.
While there is still much work to be done for Quincy, it’s been exciting to watch him outshine everyone’s expectations and work his way to success after being denied 60 times over in the NBA draft. Plus, he shows some real promise on the court as a shooter and rebounder in the backcourt.
Of course, the young guard will have to wait in line to get a chance in the rotation. Bronny James, Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Dalton Knecht, and Max Christie are all expected to be competing for minutes off the bench and Olivari will have to prove himself before he gets a chance at the highest level.
At the very least, it’s a feel-good story that everyone can enjoy and a reminder that success stories can come from the most unlikely sources. This season, Olivari has an uphill climb to achieve his highest ambitions but Rob Pleinka and JJ Redick clearly see something in him that they didn’t in others. The kid has a respect and appreciation for the process which cannot be taught and it’s the kind of qualities that make for an excellent Laker.
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