Lakers Eye Breakout Player Who Pleaded Guilty to Misdemeanor

The Los Angeles Lakers are not done tinkering with their roster even after reaching the full 15 standard contracts following the return of Jaxson Hayes on a one-year deal.

According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Lakers were one of the five teams that have shown interest in free agent point guard Ryan Rollins.

“Coming off the best season of his career, 23-year-old free agent guard Ryan Rollins has drawn interest from the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.

Getty Ryan Rollins of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Markieff Morris of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The former second-round pick averaged career highs across the field, putting up 6.2 points on 48.7% shooting from the field and 40.8% 3-point shooting in 14.6 minutes across 56 games last season with the Bucks. He was even better when he started every time Damian Lillard was not available.

In 19 games as a starter, Rollins averaged 10.2 points on 48.6% shooting from the field and an eye-popping 45.2% from the 3-point line in 24.7 minutes, showing his high upside.

Ryan Rollins Pleaded Guilty in Larceny Case

It was a redemptive story for Rollins, who was waived by the Washington Wizards in 2024 after the young point guard was charged with seven counts of petty larceny in Alexandria General District Court, The Athletic reported in January 2024 after being caught shoplifting household items from a local Target store while he was with the Wizards.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in February 2024 that Rollins pleaded guilty to a single count of petit larceny, a misdemeanor, on Jan. 31, 2024, while the other charges were dropped.

“His 30-day sentence was suspended and will be expunged once his unsupervised probation over six months is complete. He also paid court-ordered restitution on Feb. 1, along with a small fine associated with the case on Feb. 13, 2024,” the report added.

The Lakers can open up a roster spot if they waive Shake Milton, who has a $3 million non-guaranteed contract that the team needs to decide by July 20. They still have the bi-annual exception to use to sign another free agent.

Deandre Ayton Chose Lakers Over Other Contenders

Getty Deandre Ayton chose the Los Angeles Lakers over several contenders.

The Lakers finally found their starting center after beating several contenders in signing Deandre Ayton.

“Deandre Ayton received exploratory interest from the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks (before agreeing to a deal with Myles Turner) before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.

Ayton chose the Lakers because of the opportunity to start and the basketball fit with Luka Doncic. They belong to the same draft class in 2018, with Ayton going No. 1 while Doncic getting selected at No. 3. They also share the same agent in Bill Duffy, the head of the basketball division of WME Sports.

“Ayton ultimately decided the Lakers were the best basketball fit and allowed him the opportunity to join forces with Luka Doncic, who’s the same age and considered the best playmaker in the NBA in Ayton’s eyes,” Scotto wrote. “Following success playing with guards such as Chris Paul and Ricky Rubio in Phoenix, Ayton hopes to recreate that playmaking chemistry with Doncic.”