Cedi Osman recently made headlines for rejecting a training camp invite from the Los Angeles Lakers in favor of signing with Panathinaikos, a prominent Greek basketball club. The decision marks Osman’s return to European basketball after seven seasons in the NBA, most of which he spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Osman, who hails from North Macedonia, reportedly turned down the Lakers’ offer due to the uncertainty of securing a roster spot for the upcoming season. According to Nikola Miloradovic of Eurohoops, Osman felt that without a guaranteed contract, it was too risky to pursue the opportunity in Los Angeles. Instead, he opted for the stability of a contract with Panathinaikos, where he would have a guaranteed role on the team.
Osman’s NBA journey began in 2017 when he joined a Cavaliers team led by LeBron James. He quickly established himself as a reliable reserve during Cleveland’s 2017-18 season, which saw the team reach the NBA Finals. Following LeBron’s departure for the Lakers, Osman saw a significant increase in playing time and had his best NBA season in 2018-19, averaging a career-high 13.0 points per game.
After spending six seasons with Cleveland, Osman was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 offseason as part of a three-team deal. His time in San Antonio was brief, averaging 6.8 points per game in a bench role during the 2023-24 season.
Now, Osman is set to join Panathinaikos, one of Europe’s top clubs, where he will play a key role in their pursuit of EuroLeague success. Panathinaikos has been aggressive in strengthening its roster, and adding an experienced NBA veteran like Osman further boosts their chances in the competitive European basketball landscape.
Ultimately, Osman’s decision to forgo the Lakers’ training camp for a guaranteed contract in Europe highlights the importance of security in a player’s career, especially when the future in the NBA may be uncertain. Time will tell if the move proves to be the right one for Osman’s career trajectory.
The Lakers Still Haven’t Made A Single Move
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing increasing pressure to make a significant move to maximize the remaining years of LeBron James’ career, yet they have remained stagnant this offseason. Despite rumors linking them to players like Jonas Valanciunas and even Zach LaVine, no concrete action has been taken to bolster the roster.
Reports suggest that the Lakers could potentially acquire Zach LaVine without having to part with any valuable draft picks, an enticing proposition considering the team’s win-now mentality. Meanwhile, the pursuit of Valanciunas could add much-needed size and depth to the frontcourt, particularly given Anthony Davis’ injury history. However, these are still just rumors, and the Lakers have yet to pull the trigger on any trade or signing.
Their inactivity raises two key questions. First, does the Lakers’ front office genuinely believe that the current squad, which reached the Western Conference Finals last season, is strong enough to make another deep playoff run? Second, are they simply struggling to negotiate deals, finding themselves unable to make any meaningful moves despite the pressure?
As LeBron James enters the twilight of his career, the urgency to surround him with the best possible roster cannot be overstated. Yet the Lakers seem stuck in neutral, with fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s strategy. Whether they trust their current group or are hampered by front-office challenges, the window to capitalize on James’ final years is shrinking rapidly, and their lack of action could prove costly.
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