Lakers Waive Quincy Olivari, Sign Trey Jemison to Two-Way Deal

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers have waived rookie guard Quincy Olivari and plan to sign former New Orleans Pelicans center Trey Jemison to a two-way contract, according to multiple reports. The move comes as the Lakers seek to bolster their frontcourt depth amid ongoing injuries.

Olivari, an undrafted rookie out of Xavier, had been excelling with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate. He averaged 17.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 40.6% from three-point range. Despite his strong G League performance, Olivari saw limited NBA action, appearing in just two games and scoring three points in eight total minutes.

“I just told him to stay humble,” said Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, who praised Olivari’s G League play in November. “It honestly looked like he was too good for being out there, respectfully.”

Jemison, a 6’11″ center from UAB, brings physicality and rebounding to the Lakers’ frontcourt. He averaged 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 games with the Pelicans this season before being waived last week. In the G League, Jemison posted 13.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game for the Birmingham Squadron last year.

The Lakers have faced significant injuries to their reserve big men this season, with Christian Koloko and Jaxson Hayes sidelined for extended periods. Jemison’s signing provides immediate depth behind All-NBA center Anthony Davis, who has been the team’s most consistent big man.

Jemison will join veteran center Colin Castleton as the Lakers’ second two-way player, splitting time between the NBA and G League. The team’s third two-way slot is occupied by forward Alex Fudge.

Olivari, meanwhile, is expected to draw interest in free agency after his strong G League showing. The 23-year-old guard averaged 19.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in his final collegiate season at Xavier, shooting 40.9% from three-point range.