The Los Angeles Lakers have not been able to sign a center this offseason who could provide a stable presence on the interior, despite the fact that he is becoming increasingly important alongside Anthony Davis. They still have Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, but continue to look for solutions elsewhere, even with G-League players like Kylor Kelley.
Kelley, 26, went undrafted in 2020 after spending two seasons at Oregon State. He has bounced around various G League sites over the past four years. His first destination was the San Antonio Spurs – the Austin Spurs – after signing an Exhibit 10 contract as an undrafted free agent. He then spent a season with the Raptors 905 and was with the Maine Celtics last season.
Now he’s heading west, as the Lakers reportedly want to sign him to an Exhibit 10 contract so he can participate in training camp, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic:
The Lakers have signed center Kylor Kelley to an Exhibit 10 contract, league sources said @TheAthletic. Kelley played last season in the G League with the Maine Celtics.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) 14 August 2024
Category 10 players rarely find their way onto the active roster this season, but the Lakers are doing something interesting by bringing him into the organization. Kelley averaged 2.9 blocks per game for the Maine Celtics last season and was the main reason the team led the entire G League in blocks per game.
Kelley also averaged 8.4 points per game on 68.6% shooting from the field. He has the typical skills of a center and is by no means a floor spacer. He primarily plays in the box on both ends of the court, but the Lakers may be looking for someone who fits those requirements.
It remains to be seen if he has the skills necessary to outdo Wood or Hayes in training camp and earn a spot on the roster, but the Lakers are happy to take a chance on the traditional big in hopes that he can be a decent addition to the organization at the G-League level.
Lakers sign Quincy Olivari for Exhibit 10
Due to the parameters of the new CBA, the Lakers under their new head coach JJ Redick are placing clear emphasis on future player development.
The Lakers have found some diamonds in the rough before, with Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves being the best examples. It seems they’re hoping Quincy Olivari is next, with LA signing the undrafted free agent to an Exhibit 10 contract.
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