When the 2026 NBA Draft came to an end, the Los Angeles Lakers were quick to chase two guys, in particular, as undrafted free agents. That would have been AK Okereke and Peter Suder. Both players signed two-way deals with the Lakers, but only one stuck around.
Okereke might lack complete job security right now, but the former Vanderbilt forward is still in Los Angeles. Suder failed to maintain his two-way deal after Las Vegas Summer League. After getting to watch the undrafted guard in their own threads, the Lakers decided there was a better candidate for his spot. Arthur Kaluma was elevated to that position instead.
Despite that decision, it was suggested the Lakers were willing to save a spot on the G League roster for Suder. However, that was far from his only option around the league. In fact, the 23-year-old guard found an opportunity with more upside. He will be joining the Chicago Bulls for training camp.
The Bulls will naturally hope to prove the Lakers wrong for giving up on Suder so quickly and so easily after pushing hard to acquire him after the 2026 NBA Draft. Los Angeles did see more than their fair bit to justify that decision, though.
Peter Suder needs to show much more with the Bulls than he did with the Lakers
Suder inked his deal with the Lakers on the back of a strong 2025-26 season in the NCAA. The former Miami RedHawks guard averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 31.1 minutes per game during his senior season.
That landed him the honors of being named the 2025-26 MAC Player of the Year. It also gave Suder the early tryout with the Lakers. It did not go all too well.
Suder averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 15.3 minutes per game with the Lakers at Vegas. That included shooting splits of 44-30-67.
What stood out most was the (lack of) athleticism. Suder struggled to create consistent separation from his defenders. That was a rough look when stacked up against what Kaluma was doing to tear that two-way spot away from him.
The Lakers forward delivered red-hot shooting throughout the summer. Kaluma averaged 18.6 points per game on 60.9 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. The franchise was left with very little choice.
If Suder wants to stick around in Chicago for longer than he did in Los Angeles, he needs to deliver much more than what he briefly gave the Lakers. The tanking Bulls do have a lower barrier of entry. That might buy him time and opportunity, but the long-term security will not come on that alone.
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