Lakers offseason report card: Revisiting 2024 NBA Draft one month later

Undrafted Signing: Armel Traoré, F, ADA Blois

Armel Traoré was the second of two undrafted rookies signed to two-way contracts. A 21-year-old forward with prototypical tools and professional experience from playing in France, Traoré is an upside signing with intriguing defensive capabilities.

As the Lakers look to shore up their defense under head coach JJ Redick, adding a project player who could operate as a key cog on defense down the line is easy to applaud.

Traoré is a 6'9" and 230-pound forward with a massive 7'3" wingspan. His offensive skill set is still relatively unrefined, but he's an explosive athlete with effortless leaping ability and the willingness and determination to play above the rim.

Traoré showcased some of that potential at the Summer League, primarily performing well on the defensive end of the floor.

It's unlikely that Traoré will see the NBA court during his rookie season, which is why the rating is an even C. Despite that fact, there's much to like about the Lakers adding an athletic forward who has experience playing in a system that doesn't necessarily emphasize his individual offense.

If the Lakers hope to return to the realm of the contenders, finding high-quality role players who defend without a second thought is a great place to start. Even if Traoré doesn't pan out, it's a smart approach.