LA Lakers Officially Sign Another 22 years old Guard to Two-way Contract of $130.6 from Georgia Bulldogs
Olivari, 23, made the most of his preseason opportunities — leading L.A. to the first win of the JJ Redick era by scoring 11 fourth-quarter points in a come-from-behind victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. And Friday, with the Lakers resting their starters against the Golden State Warriors, he led the team with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5-of-9 from 3).
The Lakers are waiving second-year center Colin Castleton to open the two-way slot for Olivari.
As the Lakers part with Castleton, there is optimism within the franchise surrounding Christian Koloko’s status. Sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN that a decision from the NBA’s “fitness-to-play” panel is expected very soon.
L.A. signed the 7-foot-1 Koloko to a two-way deal in the offseason in the hopes of adding big man depth behind Anthony Davis on the roster.
Koloko, the No. 33 pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, missed all of last season with a blood clot issue and needs to be cleared by the league’s fitness-to-play panel consisting of an NBA-appointed doctor, a players union-appointed doctor and a mutually agreed upon third doctor before he can participate in basketball activities for L.A.
The Los Angeles Lakers have converted guard Quincy Olivari to a two-way contract. Additionally, the team has waived two-way center Colin Castleton and guard Grayson Murphy.
Olivari (6’2″, 201) recently appeared in four preseason games for the Lakers, averaging 8.8 points on 52.2 percent shooting from the floor and 57.1 percent from 3-point range to go with 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.4 minutes. Oct. 18 at Golden State, Olivari recorded 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from long distance, seven rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes. Sparking a fourth-quarter comeback Oct. 10 at Milwaukee, Olivari posted 11 points as part of a 20-0 Lakers run to steal the victory.
The Georgia native played five collegiate seasons at Xavier (2023-24) and Rice (2019-23). In his lone campaign as a Musketeer, Olivari appeared in 34 games (all starts) and averaged 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.2 minutes. He finished the season as the Big East’s leader in 3-point field goal percentage (.409) and was voted to the league’s honorable mention team. Olivari played for the Lakers’ 2024 summer league team.
Castleton was signed by the Lakers July 6 and recently appeared in five preseason games. In 16 contests for the Purple and Gold in 2023-24, he averaged 1.5 points in 3.7 minutes. Murphy was signed by the Lakers Oct. 18.