The Lakers have made marginal yet necessary improvements over the course of their recent struggles. A day after signing Dylan Windler to a two-way deal—and waiving two young players in the process—LA filled its final two-way spot with a fourth-year guard who has shown plenty of potential: Skylar Mays.
Free agent G Skylar Mays has agreed on a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. He’s spent parts of the past four seasons with Portland and Atlanta. He gives the Lakers some point guard depth. pic.twitter.com/4KGrbaQgD6
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 8, 2024
Lakers Bring in Promising Point Guard on Two-Way Contract
Background
A four-year starter from LSU, Mays was drafted 50th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2020. He played sparingly his rookie year, and made one appearance for the G League’s College Park Skyhawks, scoring 23 points. After another uneventful season with Atlanta, Mays was signed and waived by the 76ers in 2021. He then found himself in the G League again, this time with the Delaware Blue Coats Mexico City Capitanes. In 16 games (13 starts) for Mexico City, Mays put up 19.2 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 46% from the field and 34% from deep.
Mays’s return to the NBA came in March with the Portland Trail Blazers—first to a ten-day contract, then for the rest of the season. He flourished in Rip City in six games, averaging 15.3 points and 8.3 assists on .500/.462/.923 splits. He logged a career-high 24 points—including four triples—in an April loss to the Grizzlies. Mays was on a two-way contract with the Blazers this season, and remained efficient despite limited opportunities (6.3 PPG, 3.6 APG in 21 games). One of his best performances came against the Lakers on Nov. 12, where he recorded 15 points (7/13 FG) and tied a career-best 12 assists.
Skylar Mays in two games against the Lakers this season:
15 PTS, 4 REB, 12 AST
15 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST
Clearly made an impression. https://t.co/99MGTxdXQb
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) January 8, 2024
What Skylar Mays Brings to the Lakers
Mays is a smart player and relentless defender who can soar for highlight plays. He’s able to score at all three levels and facilitate very well, all while remaining a defensive pest. Mays has collected 41 steals over 68 games—good for an average of 0.7 swipes.
Evidenced by his previous success, Mays has shown up whenever his number was called. In five starts this season, he averaged 12 points and eight assists on 42% shooting from the field.
Mays is an ideal addition for the Lakers given the absence of Gabe Vincent and the team’s shifting rotations. His high-level play has kept Portland in the fight against some top-level competition. Being able to lead and succeed in his fourth season is equally impressive. Though he will likely start out with the South Bay Lakers, Mays could impact LA’s bench sooner than later with his talents on both ends of the floor.
Could Mays Replace Jalen Hood-Schifino?
In spite of Mays’s potential, he could complicate matters for rookie point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. The Indiana product has struggled since his return from a back injury, averaging 2.3 points in eight appearances. Though he wasn’t expected to contribute right away, fans have expected more out of the 17th pick of the 2023 Draft—especially when players picked after him (Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski) have thrived with the Heat and Warriors, respectively.
It is certainly not time to label JHS a “bust.” However, adding another point guard to a team with three facilitators raises some concern. If one of LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves misses time, Darvin Ham would be wise to give minutes to the experienced Mays instead of the rookie Hood-Schifino. JHS still has plenty of potential despite recent setbacks, but his development has been hindered with Mays coming on board.
