The Los Angeles Lakers have waived their summer signing, the undrafted Blake Hinson. The former two-way player will now roam as a free agent in hopes that a team will call his number and give him a chance to play professional basketball this year.
Lakers Send Off Undrafted Blake Hinson To Make Roster Space
Blake Hinson Now a Free Agent
The undrafted Hinson, whom the LA Lakers picked up on a two-way signing out of Pittsburgh earlier this summer, has been waived. He was one of two undrafted Lakers pickups; Armel Traore was the other. Hinson’s time in LA didn’t last long, unfortunately for him. With the recent addition of center Christian Koloko, it is believed the Lakers made the waiver decision to create space for Koloko. Now that the big man from Cameroon is officially signed, Hinson is on his way out. This is according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Hinson averaged 18.5 points and shot 42.1% from 3-point range at Pittsburgh. The six-foot-eight guard/forward’s shooting intrigued teams following the draft. He’s now expected to draw interest in free agency.
Los Angeles Lakers are waiving two-way guard Blake Hinson, sources told @hoopshype. Hinson averaged 18.5 points and shot 42.1% from 3-point range at Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-8 guard’s shooting intrigued teams following the draft. He’s now expected to draw interest in free agency. pic.twitter.com/ict8Xi37Ps
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 16, 2024
The Pitt guard should expect to draw some interest, which will probably result in another two-way opportunity, but an opportunity nonetheless.
Reaching Record Books at Pitt
Although Hinson spent several years in college, his career didn’t go without any accolades to cheer for. While a Panther, he surpassed 1,000 points. He became the fourth fastest Panther to reach that mark. The bulk of his damage was the result of three-point shooting—179 made ones, to be precise. In his first season at Pitt, he led the team in scoring and rebounding, helping the program to reach its first NCAA Tournament bid in seven years. He also earned second-team All-ACC honors in that season.
Why LA Signed Him, Why Another Team Would
Hinson’s college strength was shooting, more specifically, shooting from the three-point line. Averaging 42.1% from beyond the arc while at Pitt, Hinson’s abilities impressed the Lakers scouts as the team was focused on drafting players who could shoot well. Dalton Knecht, whom LA drafted 17th overall in the first round, mirrored the Lakers desires as he was also known for long-distance shooting in college. He used the Summer League in Las Vegas to showcase those shooting skills and played quite well. As for Hinson, he also played in Vegas. He averaged 10.9 points, 1.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. His three-point shooting however, dipped to 34.1%, a deep fall from his college numbers. His summer league debut had the most impact though, as he knocked down five threes.
Hinson has similar shooting capabilities to Knecht, although perhaps not at the exact skill level. However, he should have no problem signing elsewhere. His potential is reason enough to give the undrafted rookie a shot—NBA or G League. His talent is there, no doubt, but the Lakers needed to address their center position behind Anthony Davis, and it would appear they did that with the Christian Koloko addition. Unfortunately, Hinson happened to be the odd summer signing out. In the NBA, though, it’s rare not to get a second look.
