The Los Angeles Lakers probably aren’t used to this amount of rejection, with Cedi Osman the latest player to turn down an offer from them. According to Eurohoops’ Nikola Miroradovic, Osman “received interest from the (Lakers), which invited him for a training camp…”
Instead the seven-year NBA veteran opted to return to Europe, signing with Greece’s Panathinaikos. His decision was attributed to “the lack of guarantees about making it to the season roster…” Osman, a native of North Macedonia, played for Turkey’s Anadolu Efes for four seasons prior to being drafted.
Cedi Osman Turning Down Lakers Camp Invite Speaks Volumes
The Lakers currently have 15 players on standard NBA contracts, three players on two-way contracts, and three players on Exhibit 10 contracts. As a result, in order to sign Osman, tough decisions would’ve had to be made. However, looking at their roster, it’s worth wondering whether L.A. should’ve done just that.
Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes, and Cam Reddish are all on low-salary expiring deals. As none of them are really essential players individually, perhaps one of them would’ve gotten the axe. They might’ve been able to move one of Jalen Hood-Schifino or Maxwell Lewis. As they’re both on rookie scale contracts, a team with a roster spot and a trade exception or cap space could’ve simply absorbed their salary. Players who haven’t shown much thus far in their careers, the Lakers may not have lost anything by moving them.
At this point in their careers, Osman is a better player than Reddish, Hood-Schifino, and Lewis. He may offer more than Hayes as well. Wood, who averaged 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in the four seasons prior to joining L.A. is the only aforementioned player that he may not top.
He Didn’t Help There…
Looking at their positional needs, Wood and Hayes are clearly rostered for the depth they offer at center. To that point, the Lakers’ starting center —Anthony Davis —isn’t even a true pivot. At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Osman may be nearly the same size as Wood. Nonetheless, he’s a wing, not a big man. Consequently, it does make sense for them to have been safe.
But He Did Help Here
Reddish and Lewis are there as 3-and-D archetypes.
Once regarded as a potential star, Reddish has struggled to do more than flash offensively. Thus, he’s been asked to simplify his game, doing far less work off-the-dribble. Unfortunately, this hasn’t really led to much improvement, as he shot 38.9 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from 3 in 2023-24. He made just 32.4 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s. With that being said, he does have a knack for making defensive plays.
Lewis is a curious case, as he’s made just 35.6 percent of his 3s in college, 35.6 percent of his 3s in the G League, 18.9 percent of his 3s in Summer League, and 11.1 percent of his 3s with the Lakers. He has plenty of time to develop at 22 years old. Nonetheless, he may not be suited for the 3-and-D role he’s being asked to play.
As a career 35.7 percent 3-point shooter, Osman isn’t exactly OG Anunoby out there. However, he’s made 37.9 percent of his 3s the last two seasons. In 2023-24, he made 41.0 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s. He’s also a commendable defender thanks to his technique and tenacity.
There’s no use in crying over spilled milk, but players may not be the only people souring on the Lakers.
