3 young players Lakers should develop, 2 to give up on

By Jason Reed | Jul 21, 2023

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 12: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics shoots against Cole Swider #20 of the LA Lakers in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Celtics defeat the Lakers 95-90. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Scotty Pippen Jr. Lakers /

The Lakers can give up on Scotty Pippen Jr.

The Lakers went on a run of signing players with NBA blood in their bodies last summer, perhaps as a message to LeBron James and Bronny James. Los Angeles signed Scotty Pippen Jr, who ultimately got a two-way contract with the team, and also brought in Shareef O’Neal for the Summer League.

O’Neal didn’t last past the summer with the organization and we may not see Pippen last past this summer in LA. There is only so much room in an organization and there is hard to find any viable path for Pippen to get playing time.

The Lakers are pretty deep at guard not just with the players on the NBA roster but with the young players that the team has to develop. With Jalen Hood-Schifino now in the picture it is hard to see where Pippen fits into the equation.

This doesn’t mean the Lakers should outright get rid of Pippen as him playing for the South Bay Lakers does no harm. However, any focus on him developing into an NBA player should probably be shifted elsewhere. If another team wants to elevate Pippen or give him a two-way deal then so be it.

Pippen’s baseline numbers in the G League were solid last season but he is an undersized guard who cannot shoot and is still raw. There is no room for him in LA.

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