Lawson Lovering isn’t arriving with the expectation that he’ll solve the Lakers’ frontcourt problems. But a young center who can rebound and contest shots has a reasonable opportunity to get their attention.
That’s the appeal of the Lakers’ reported two-way agreement with Lovering, as Ryan Ward of Lakers On SI examines.
The former Utah big man spent last season with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 7.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 30 G League appearances. He also received a brief NBA look with the Grizzlies on a 10-day contract.
Now he gets a chance with a team looking for more dependable depth behind Walker Kessler.
Ward identifies Lovering’s size, rebounding and potential rim protection as reasons the addition could help. His passing offers another skill to evaluate, particularly in an offense where finishing a possession doesn’t always mean taking the shot yourself.
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There are limitations. Lovering shot just 39.8% from the foul line in his final season at Utah, and productive G League minutes don’t automatically translate into an NBA rotation spot.
The Lakers waived AK Okereke to create the two-way opening. Lovering will have to earn whatever comes after the contract.
For a team with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves handling plenty of the scoring, the assignment needn’t be complicated. Rebound, protect the basket and help the offense keep moving.
Doing those things consistently would give the Lakers a reason to keep looking his wa
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