The Los Angeles Lakers have made another move two weeks after trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. LA signed former Pelicans big man Trey Jemison to a two-way contract, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. However, they also moved on from a fan-favorite guard in the process.
The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to sign former Pelicans center Trey Jemison on a two-way NBA contract and waiving Quincy Olivari, sources tell ESPN. Jemison adds some frontcourt physicality for Lakers. He has averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across 41 career NBA games.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 15, 2025
Lakers Add Former Pelicans Center on Two-Way Contract
Background on Trey Jemison
Jemison, a 6’11” 25-year-old center, went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft before being signed by the Pelicans that September. The Grizzlies then signed him last January to a ten-day contract before keeping him around on a two-way deal. In 23 games (14 starts), Jemison put up 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He shot 55% from the field and 84% from the free-throw line. After he was waived by Memphis in July, the Pelicans picked up Jemison two days later. In 16 games with New Orleans, Jemison put up 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds on 47% shooting from the field.
Jemison gives the Lakers another reinforcement Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes—crucial with Christian Wood still sidelined. He also has decent bounce for a 6’11”, 260-pound big man and uses his frame to force his way in the paint. The Lakers have needed a strong presence inside, particularly to cover elite big men in non-Davis minutes. Though he may not be a surefire rotation player, Jemison has shown he can contribute when his number is called.
As solid as Jemison can be for the Lakers, the team also had to part ways with an electric scorer in Quincy Olivari, whose strong performances with the South Bay Lakers convinced fans he was ready for NBA minutes. According to HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto, Olivari is expected to “draw interest” from several teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers waived two-way guard Quincy Olivari, sources told @hoopshype. Olivari has averaged 17.2 points, including 40.6 percent from 3-point range, 4.4 assists, and 4.4 rebounds for the South Bay Lakers in the G League. He's expected to draw interest in free agency. pic.twitter.com/61GHEzCD5c
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 15, 2025
What’s Next for the Lakers
Jemison is no doubt a welcome addition for the Lakers and their frontcourt, but their work on the trade market is far from over. The Suns’ planned acquisition of Nick Richards from the Hornets will bring one of LA’s targets off the board, but there are still viable options available ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. Two such options are Walker Kessler and Jonas Valanciunas, who the Lakers have kept tabs on over the course of the season. Expect Rob Pelinka to continue to pursue those players, among others, as they try to add help behind Davis and LeBron James in their push for the playoffs.
