Lakers Rumors: Kylor Kelley Signed To Exhibit 10 Contract

Ron Gutterman
3 Min Read
BIRMINGHAM, AL - February 22: Kylor Kelley #24 of the Maine Celtics looks on during the game against the Birmingham Squadron at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on February 22, 2024 NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to add a center this offseason that could provide a steady interior presence, something that has been viewed as an increasing necessity next to Anthony Davis. They still have Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, but are still looking for answers elsewhere, even from G League players like Kylor Kelley.

Kelley, 26, went undrafted in 2020 after spending two seasons at Oregon State. He has spent the last four years bouncing between G League locations. His first destination was with the San Antonio Spurs — the Austin Spurs — after signing an Exhibit 10 deal as an undrafted free agent. He then spent a season with Raptors 905 and was with the Maine Celtics last season.

Now, he is heading West, as the Lakers are reportedly signing him to an Exhibit 10 deal to join training camp, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic:

Exhibit 10 players rarely find their way onto the active roster that season, but the Lakers are doing an intriguing thing by bringing him into the organization. Kelley averaged 2.9 blocks per game for the Maine Celtics last season, and he was the primary reason the team led the entire G League in blocks per game.

Kelley also averaged 8.4 points per game on 68.6% from the field. He has a prototypical center skillset and is not a floor spacer by any means. He largely lives in the paint on both ends of the floor, but the Lakers might be in search of someone who fits that bill.

It remains to be seen if he has the skills necessary to outduel Wood or Hayes in training camp and take a roster spot, but the Lakers are happy to take a chance on the traditional big in the hopes he can be a decent organizational depth piece at the G League level.

Lakers signing Quincy Olivari to Exhibit 10

The Lakers are clearly putting an emphasis on player development moving forward under new head coach JJ Redick due to the parameters of the new CBA.

The Lakers have found some diamonds in the rough before, with Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves being prime examples. It appears they are hoping that Quincy Olivari will be next in line as L.A. is signing the undrafted free agent to an Exhibit 10 contract.

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Ron Gutterman is a Washington State University alum from Anaheim, California, and is currently a Staff Writer for LakersNation.com, RamsNewsWire.com, and RaidersNewsWire.com. He is also the lead editor for AngelsNation.com. With Lakers Nation, Rams News Wire, Raiders News Wire, and Angels Nation, Ron assists in news, game coverage, analysis, and hot takes via his Twitter account, @rongutterman24. Without a doubt, Ron's favorite Laker, and favorite athlete of all time, is Kobe Bryant. Ron began watching basketball when he was 6 years old, in 2005, when Bryant was dragging the likes of Smush Parker and Ronny Turiaf to playoff spots. Ron's all time favorite Lakers moment was Bryant's final game when he dropped 60 points. While the Lakers beating the Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, as Metta World Peace hit the game clinching three, will always be a top option, Bryant's final night takes the cake. Contact: ron@mediumlargela.com