The Los Angeles Lakers have found their roster for training camp, adding two new players to complete the 20 slots allotted for the offseason.
Lakers Add Two Young Players to Training Camp Roster
The Newest Lakers
According to a team press release, the Lakers have signed Quincy Olivari and Kylor Kelley to Exhibit 10 Contracts. While a roster spot is not guaranteed for either of them, they will each have an opportunity to join the G League’s South Bay Lakers if waived, and could receive a $75,000 bonus if they stay there for 60 days.
Olivari had joined the Lakers’ Summer League team as an undrafted free agent. The 6’3” guard averaged 5.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game on 28% shooting from the field, 26% from three and 100% from the free-throw line. Those numbers are a far cry from what he averaged at Xavier, where he put up 14.5 points per game on 41.5% shooting from the field and 38% from three.
Kelley, an athletic 7-foot center, recently played for the Boston Celtics’ G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. This past season, he put up 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and a league-best 2.9 blocks per game on 65% shooting from the field. Kelley also earned All NBA G-League Defensive Team honors this past season, tallying 105 swats on the year.
Expectations for Olivari and Kelley
With the Lakers’ roster essentially at capacity, there’s a possibility that Olivari and Kelley may not make the final cuts before the preseason begins in October. However, there are several ways either player could make a good impression on GM Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick.
For Olivari, he’ll have to work on his shooting and prove that his Summer League splits were flukes. The Lakers originally brought him on because of his solid scoring in college, and are clearly willing to give him a second chance despite some poor showings in Sacramento and Las Vegas. Olivari must also showcase the impressive defensive rebounding he cultivated in college—where he pulled down 4.4 defensive boards per game over four years.
As for Kelley, he needs to emphasize his strengths as a defender, likewise proving that his near three-block-per-game average was legit. He has the tools that the Lakers brass desires in bigs, not only as a rim protector but a lob threat as well. However, he must also grow as a rebounder and playmaker, as his 6.4 RPG and 1.5 APG may not stack up well against LA’s other centers. And at 215 pounds, Kelley has to add some muscle to avoid being pushed around in the paint.
Both players have skills that the Lakers are willing to develop over the course of training camp, but for them to truly succeed—and potentially have a shot at taking over a two-way contract—they must bring their best effort and ensure their individual games fit Redick’s system.
