As training camp comes to a close, the Los Angeles Lakers announced a slew of cuts on Friday, thereby finalizing the 2021-22 roster around LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers have requested waivers on undrafted rookies Joel Ayayi, Chaundee Brown Jr., along with high-flyer Trevelin Queen and 24-year old forward Cameron Oliver. All four players will be eligible to sign with the team's G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Lakers have cut Chaundee Brown, Joel Ayayi, Cam Oliver, and Trevelin Queen, though all can still be signed to the G League and join the South Bay Lakers.
Ayayi's waiving frees up one of 2 two-way contracts. The Lakers signed Sekou Doumbouya on a two-way earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/SyezlaMPds
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) October 15, 2021
The cuts bring the Lakers' roster to 15 ahead of Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
The active roster features 14 players on guaranteed contracts (including rookie Austin Reaves), plus one two-way player: former first-round pick, Sekou Doumbouya, who was signed earlier this week and did not appear in either preseason game since the announcement.
Teams are allowed up to 15 players on the active roster, plus two two-way guys. Rob Pelinka previously stated that the Lakers will hold their 15th roster spot open for a midseason buyout candidate.
None of Friday's cuts are particularly surprising, with the exception of Ayayi — who had been signed to a two-way deal. Ayayi did not make an impression in the preseason games — unlike Reaves, and to a lesser extent, Brown. (Anecdotally, many Lakers fans were hoping to see Ayayi's two-way spot given to Brown.)
Ayayi's waiving frees up the Lakers' second two-way spot.
Mac McClung was waived earlier this week and promptly signed to South Bay.
As expected, Mac McClung will join the South Bay Lakers. (Exhibit-10 contracts incentivize waived players to sign with that team's G-League affiliate).
Mac's waiving clears room for forward Sekou Doumbouya — who was signed on a two-way on Tuesday — to join the Lakers in camp. https://t.co/H9z3j59dZ3
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) October 13, 2021
The team also waived guard Frank Mason III on Thursday after signing him the day before, then included him in a G League trade with the Sacramento Kings.
chess https://t.co/PSuW7gzUP6
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) October 15, 2021
So that's it — the 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers are set (for now): Three superstars, two or three other future Hall of Famers, a bunch of vets and minimum contracts, and Hillbilly Kobe. Let's hoop.
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