After signing Christian Wood to a two-year minimum contract, the Los Angeles Lakers have all but finalized their training camp roster and overall plans for next season. The team’s additions at center come after Anthony Davis expressed a desire to play more power forward next year. Additionally, the team signed Scotty Pippen Jr., Bryce Hamilton, Damion Baugh and Vincent Valerio-Bardon to Exhibit 10 contracts.
The Lakers have signed Vincent Valerio-Bodon and Damion Baugh, Bryce Hamilton and Scotty Pippen Jr. pic.twitter.com/1KF800NlOQ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 8, 2023
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis Back to PF, Plus Exhibit 10 Signings
Anthony Davis Wants to Play Power Forward Again
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Davis told the Lakers he wants to go back to power forward so he doesn’t have to shoulder the load at center, which he has done for the past two seasons. Last season, Davis logged all of his minutes at the five spot and 76% of them in 2021. With the additions of Wood and Jaxson Hayes, it allows AD to go back to his natural position, where he can hang with fours around the perimeter instead of being locked into the paint on every possession. Davis’s two-way talent cannot be denied, and his offense has always come more naturally at the power forward slot.
If Davis really wants this, however, he’ll have to show improvements from the perimeter. In the past four years, AD’s three-point percentage has fluctuated between 18 and 33 percent. His perimeter jumper is a necessary tool for a big who does most of his work inside the arc. The Lakers aren’t asking Davis to become a full-time stretch four. However, getting his three-point jumper back into shape is ideal heading into next year.
The Lakers granted Davis’s other wishes, signing two young, athletic bigs who can bruise in the paint and take the pressure off of him. However, AD will have to maximize his offense in order to have full success at the four.
Lakers’ Exhibit 10 Signings
The Lakers now have all 21 of their training camp slots filled. They’re welcoming back some familiar faces while also bringing in an intriguing international prospect.
Scotty Pippen Jr.
The son and namesake of the Hall-of-Famer, Pippen Jr. was with the Lakers on a two-way contract last season. He spent most of his time with their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. In 19 games (4 starts), Pippen Jr. averaged 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game on 47/30/77 splits. He’s a steady floor general with a promising three-point shot, as well as a solid and quick defender. Though the Lakers are filled with guards, Pippen could return to his former G League team and gain another opportunity down the line.
Bryce Hamilton
An LA native, Bryce Hamilton joins his hometown team as a three-level scorer. The former UNLV guard averaged 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game on 43/31/77 splits in college. He recently led the South Bay Lakers to the no. 1 seed in the G League Showcase Cup, scoring 30 points in a comeback victory. He’s nicknamed “Bryce Buckets” for a reason, and the 6-foot-4 lefty has a chance to show it when training camp comes.
Damion Baugh
The defensive-minded Damion Baugh went undrafted this summer, but he quickly impressed the Lakers with his growing offensive game. Although he put up forgettable numbers in Summer League, the former TCU guard averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 assists in his senior year, helping the Horned Frogs to a 22-13 record. Baugh notably recorded 25 points and seven steals in a win over Iowa State, and he’s shown a marked improvement in his overall scoring abilities. He’ll have to improve his jump shot, but Baugh holds promise as a young, developing player.
Vincent Valerio-Bardon
Finally, the Lakers brought in 6-foot-10 wing Vincent Valerio-Bardon. He recently played for the Boston Celtics’ Summer League team and put up 13 points and six rebounds in his lone appearance. Prior to that, the 22-year-old suited up for the Hungarian team, Sopron KC. In 30 games, he averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 63 percent from the field and 41 percent from three. Defensively, he averaged 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. In the following highlights, Valerio-Bardon put NBA teams on notice with his speed, playmaking and floor-spacing.
Came across an intruiging international prospect out of Hungary.
Vincent Valerio-Bodon is a 6'10" wing (born in 2001) who is shooting 50% from the floor 42.9% from deep on 3 attempts per game.
He's someone I think NBA teams should monitor over the next few months. pic.twitter.com/Gxj2F9YxED
— Rafael Barlowe (@Barlowe500) April 10, 2023
Valerio-Bardon is an exciting pickup for the Lakers. The team has brought in some size on the wing and another young player who can shoot. Even if the Lakers waive him, he’ll have a good opportunity to showcase his talents with South Bay. Vincent has the tools he needs to impress many NBA teams, and that journey begins in the purple and gold.
The Last Word
Between the Exhibit 10 signings and Anthony Davis desiring a positional change, the Lakers’ plan is coming into place. Training camp will be the perfect opportunity to see how returning players have improved and what the new guys bring to the table. It’s clear October can’t come soon enough.
