The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best organizations in the NBA at identifying talent in places that most wouldn't think to look. It's a strength that has enabled Los Angeles to acquire invaluably affordable players who have thus contributed to team success when depth was otherwise a weakness.
Unfortunately, Los Angeles is also guilty of failing to sign said players to long-term contracts when it could've saved them from the pitfalls of top-heavy rosters.
One of the latest examples of that shortcoming is Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. The 24-year-old has become one of the breakout players of the early stages of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, thriving both alongside and in the absence of Ja Morant.
Pippen was previously signed by the Lakers as an undrafted free agent and excelled for the South Bay Lakers in the G League, but was never inked to a long-term deal by Pelinka.
The Grizzlies capitalized on the Lakers' mistake, bringing Pippen in on a four-year, $9,608,931 deal and steadily developing him into one of the most promising young two-way players in the NBA. Thus far in 2024-25, he's averaging 11.5 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made on .460/.395/.824 shooting.
Thankfully for the Lakers, they have a chance to learn from past mistakes by avoiding the same fate with the latest in a long line of undrafted free agents turned G League standouts: Quincy Olivari.
Lakers must learn from losing Scotty Pippen Jr. and sign Quincy Olivari long-term
Olivari played five collegiate seasons, spending the first four with the Rice Owls and the 2023-24 campaign with the Xavier Musketeers. In 2023-24, he averaged 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.1 three-point field goals made, shooting 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite ranking No. 1 in the Big East in three-point field goal percentage, and second in the conference in scoring and three-point field goals made, Olivari went undrafted in 2024.
The Lakers were quick to act, adding Olivari to their Summer League and preseason rosters. He thrived on both stages, with a 22-point performance in the preseason finale leading to him securing a two-way contract that has since enabled success in the G League.
Through three G League games, Olivari is averaging 28.3 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 offensive boards, 1.0 steal, and 5.0 three-point field goals made on 44.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Those absurd numbers are destined to be recognized by NBA franchises looking to add a low-cost player to round out their rotation. It's exactly what transpired with Pippen, who thrived with the South Bay Lakers before being scooped up by the Grizzlies.
The Lakers must avoid the same transpiring with Olivari and sign him before another potential low-cost, high-value player gets away from them.
With limited cap space and the need for improved production from the guard positions, the Lakers would struggle to justify not paying Olivari. He could be inked for a price that makes a minimum impact on their salary cap projections, and could provide profound value on the court.
It's understandable for the Lakers to remain somewhat patient with their diamond in the rough, but losing Pippen should teach them exactly what could happen with Olivari if they don't act quickly.