With the 2024 Olympics now in the records, the Los Angeles Lakers are finally approaching the end of their long stretch of inactivity. Los Angeles has been rather quiet this offseason, with re-signing Max Christie and LeBron James signaling the only moves they’ve made in free agency.
The Lakers still haven’t made the marquee signing that will define their offseason, but two recent additions suggest that JJ Redick knows in which areas the team must improve.
Los Angeles has begun the process of revamping its G League team by parting ways with South Bay Lakers head coach Dane Johnson and adding intriguing talent to the roster. That includes the returning Colin Castleton, and intriguing forwards Blake Hinson and Armel Traoré.
One of the latest names to join that group is Quincy Olivari, who signed an Exhibit 10 contract for the 2024-25 season, per Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation.
Less than 24 hours later, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that the Lakers have added Kylor Kelley on an Exhibit 10 contract, as well.
For those unfamiliar: An Exhibit 10 contract is essentially a non-guaranteed minimum salary deal that includes a bonus if a player reaches 60 days with a G League team.
Olivari will likely start the season in the G League, but he could be of long-term value to the Lakers. He’s an explosive scorer with a tremendous jump shot, and has the potential to become a quality scoring guard at the highest level.
In 2023-24, he was second in the Big East in scoring at 19.1 points per game and was also No. 2 in the conference at 3.1 three-point field goals made per contest.
Standing at just under 6’3″ and 197 pounds with a 6’7″ wingspan, Olivari is a pure scorer in a point guard’s body. What he lacks in size and ideal athleticism, however, he more than makes up for with his 40.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
In an era that’s placed less of an emphasis on guards thriving as facilitators, Olivari could secure a bench role at some point in 2024-25.
Kelley brings an entirely different skill set to the table as a 7’0″ and 215-pound center who thrives on the defensive end of the floor. In 2023-24, he was named to the G League All-Defensive Team after leading the league in blocks.
Kelley was also a three-time All-Defensive Team selection in college, including twice in the Pac-12, which hammers his reputation home as an interior anchor.
It’s possible that neither player will reach the main roster next season, but the intention is promising. In both scenarios, the Lakers prioritized the acquisition of players who excel in two of their weakest areas: Three-point shooting and interior depth.
Signings of this nature rarely change the course of a team’s season on the main roster, but a commitment to fixing flaws from the top down is a sign of organizational growth.
