Lakers Dip into Familiar Pool to Sign Unique Talent

Lakers’ Success with Undrafted Players

The Lakers have built a strong reputation for developing undrafted talent into core contributors. Caruso exemplified this, carving out a role with the Lakers by showcasing his defensive prowess and intensity. Before leaving for the Chicago Bulls, Caruso had secured his place as one of the league’s top defenders. The Oklahoma City Thunder later traded for him in a deal involving Josh Giddey. Caruso’s path from undrafted player to elite defender highlights his relentless work ethic. As he enters the final year of his contract, with a $9.89 million cap hit, he is set for a major payday after proving his value on both ends of the court.

Similarly, Reaves emerged as a key player after going undrafted from Wichita State and Oklahoma. Reaves earned his spot in the Lakers’ starting lineup and continues to contribute as a playmaker and shot-creator. Entering the second year of a four-year, $53.8 million contract, Reaves’ story highlights the Lakers’ ability to identify and develop talent that fits their system.

Quincy Olivari’s Potential in the Lakers’ System

Like Caruso and Reaves, Quincy Olivari is capitalizing on his opportunity in the Lakers’ system. A former standout at Rice University, Olivari averaged 18.9 points per game in his last season with Rice. Olivari transferred to Xavier for his final season of college where averaged 19.1 points.  His shooting ability was highly impressive in college he shot 38.9 percent from beyond the arc for his career including two seasons where he shot above 40 percent. Olivari showcased his potential to be another undrafted success story through his strong preseason performance, despite not being selected in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Pelinka’s ability to build a culture around identifying undervalued players could prove fruitful with Olivari. Quincy Olivari has already shown promise within the Lakers’ defensive schemes. As Olivari continues to develop, his path resembles those of Caruso and Reaves. This further bolsters the Lakers’ developmental reputation.

Quincy Olivari Joins the Lakers, a Proven System

As Olivari earns praise from Lakers coaches and teammates, his trajectory mirrors the success stories of undrafted players before him. The Lakers’ system has produced valuable NBA talents, and Quincy Olivari’s early flashes of potential indicate he may be the next to rise. With the Lakers’ proven track record and Olivari’s work ethic, fans have reasons to feel optimistic about his future with the team.