The Los Angeles Lakers signed undrafted guard Quincy Olivari to a two-way contract ahead of the 2024-25 season.
ESPN’s Shams Charania shared the news on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing Quincy Olivari to a two-way NBA contract, his agent Darrell Comer told me and @mcten. Incredible story for the Lakers’ undrafted rookie out of Xavier who earns roster spot after standout preseason. Lakers are waiving center Colin Castleton. pic.twitter.com/R132rLudFv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2024
Prior to the news breaking, Olivari shared a tweet foreshadowing the news.
Very very very very thankful, Thank u God #41
— Quincy Olivari (@quincyolivari) October 19, 2024
Olivari’s two-way deal means that he can be active for up to 50 regular season games and could also spend time with the team’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, which is what he will likely do.
In a corresponding move to signing Olivari, the Lakers waived center Colin Castleton and guard Grayson Murphy.
Castleton appeared in 16 games with the Lakers last season on a two-way deal, going undrafted out of Florida University. He didn’t play much at the NBA level but impressed in the G League, averaging 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Olivari earned a spot in the NBA, and luckily for the Lakers, they were able to lock him up. He initially signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers on June 27 after he went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The move was a no-brainer, considering how impressive Olivari has looked throughout preseason. Lakers head coach JJ Redick raved about Olivari’s game after the team’s first preseason win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Quincy completely changed the game … picking up full court, being disruptive, taking time off the shot clock,” Redick told reporters. “I thought he executed exactly what we want from someone in his position.”
Olivari was impressive and efficient in his preseason outings, averaging 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game and shooting 52.2 percent from the field and an astonishing 57.1 percent from three across four games.
The sample size isn’t big enough; nonetheless, it was good enough to earn him a spot with the Lakers, who have loved what they’ve seen from him. He earned the spot in the preseason finale on Friday against the Warriors, recording 22 points.
The Georgia native began his basketball career playing college for five seasons at Xavier (2023-24) and Rice (2019-23). In his lone campaign as a Musketeer, Olivari appeared in all 34 games and averaged 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 32.2 minutes.
He finished the season as the Big East’s leader in 3-point field goal percentage (.409) and was voted to the league’s honorable mention team. Olivari played for the Lakers’ 2024 Summer League team.
The Lakers will start their season on Tuesday and take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are expected to be a top team in the NBA.
L.A. will look to prove they are just that this season, tasks to a new and improved coaching staff and their two superstars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
More news: Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals 2024-25 Season Could Determine His Future With Bucks
For more Lakers news, make sure to head over to Newsweek Sports.
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