3 South Bay Lakers players who could eventually reach the NBA roster

The 2024-25 season will mark the beginning of the era during which the Los Angeles Lakers begin to place a stronger emphasis on internal development. It's as significant a decision as any from the 2024 offseason, as head coach JJ Redick has made it abundantly clear what his priorities are.

As Los Angeles implements the changes that will alter the approach to its strategies at every level, few players project to benefit more than those in the G League.

The Lakers have been a standard-setting team in recent years in the field of finding diamonds in the rough. It perhaps most famously signed Alex Caruso after he showed out in the G League, and landed Austin Reaves as an undrafted free agent.

Redick is hoping to create a system that facilitates an even more symbiotic relationship between the G League and the NBA, which could streamline the process of finding the next hidden gem.

The process of doing so could begin sooner than later, as Los Angeles has already loaded up on promising talent in the G League. The South Bay Lakers will play home to a number of compelling players on the NBA payroll, but it also has players who have been signed specifically to the developmental team.

The question is: Among those who were signed to the G League roster, who might end up reaching the NBA and playing in Los Angeles?

1. Christian Koloko

The Lakers made the surprising decision to waive Summer League standout Colin Castleton following the 2024 preseason. As a result, an opportunity was created for another G League center to potentially earn NBA minutes.

With depth a concern on the main roster and Castleton no longer operating as an option in the G League, Christian Koloko will have a chance to make a name for himself.

Koloko, 24, is a 7'0" and 230-pound center with a massive 7'5.25" wingspan. It should thus come as no surprise that he was previously heralded as one of the most promising shot-blockers in the NBA before a blood clot threatened his life and career, thus forcing him to step away from basketball.

Koloko averaged 1.0 block in just 13.8 minutes per game in 2022-23, however, which translates to 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes.

Offensively, Koloko needs to refine his game, but he's already a force to be reckoned with on the glass. In 2022-23, he averaged 1.4 offensive rebounds per game and 3.8 per 36 minutes—marks that inevitably appealed to a Lakers team that ranked dead last in offensive rebounding in 2023-24.

It remains to be seen how spending a year away from the NBA has impacted Koloko, but the upside is clear and should yield at least some level of playing time in 2024-25.

2. Quincy Olivari

Quincy Olivari made quite a name for himself during a preseason encounter with the Milwaukee Bucks. With Austin Reaves out and minutes available in the backcourt, the undrafted rookie stepped up and led Los Angeles to victory.

Oliveri posted 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists in just nine minutes, knocking down three three-point field goals—all of which transpired during the fourth quarter.

It was a remarkable way to confirm that the Lakers found a promising talent to develop in the G League. Even before that performance, however, it was clear that Olivari had the talent necessary to potentially earn a place in an NBA rotation.

The former Rice Owls and Xavier Musketeers star is somewhat enigmatic in some areas of the game, but when all else fails, his jump shot could earn him minutes.

Olivari, 23, is a 6'3" guard who thrives more as a scorer than as a facilitator, thus resulting in a degree of positional ambiguity. He's a strong rebounder, however, and the physical attributes are intriguing enough to believe that he can be a quality defender who takes on bigger players in the NBA and G League.

After averaging 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.1 three-point field goals made on .425/.409/.814 shooting during his final season in college, Olivari will have an opportunity to prove his strengths can translate to the G League—and potentially, the NBA.

3. Armel Traore

Tall players who are willing to defend will always have a chance to crack an NBA rotation. Armel Traore is something of a blank slate on offense, but as an athletic forward with tremendous size and length, there's obvious two-way potential.

Standing at 6'9" and 210 pounds with a 7'3" wingspan, the raw ingredients are in place for Redick and his staff to help Traore carve out a lengthy NBA career.

Traore is an effortless athlete who plays hard and crashes the boards. That alone should help him, as energy players who have unique physical traits are typically viewed in a positive light by coaches who are looking to improve on defense.

Still just 21 years of age, there's also ample reason to be patient with Traore's development as he figures out who he is as an NBA player.

It's admittedly unlikely that Traore will play in the NBA in 2024-25 if the Lakers remain healthy, but there's long-term appeal here. If he can develop a reliable outside shot, he could become a legitimate 3-and-D player with the size to defend multiple positions.

There's an abundance of upside to explore here, and Traore should appear in the NBA in the future if he develops in the manner he's capable of.