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.