The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the early months of the JJ Redick era breaking negative tendencies. That began with forgoing the annual pursuit of a big name who can temporarily mask the team's bigger flaws, and instead prioritizing a youth movement.
One habit that shouldn't be broken, however, reared its head during the preseason emergence of rookie guard Quincy Olivari.
Olivari went undrafted this past June as a 23-year-old incoming rookie. The former Rice Owls and Xavier Musketeers star is nothing short of compelling, however, with a skill set that seems tailor made for the modern NBA.
An undersized scoring guard who isn't known for his playmaking and enters the NBA at 23 is destined to be overlooked, but it's become easier than ever for players of that archetype to thrive with the strengths that define Olivari's game.
Olivari is a sharpshooter through and through, with the volume and efficiency to back the claim. He shot 38.7 percent on 6.3 three-point field goal attempts across five collegiate seasons, twice exceeding 40.0 percent—2023-24 included.
It remains to be seen whether or not Olivari can translate that success to the NBA, but his preseason emergence is a reminder of how consistently the Lakers have found undrafted gems.
Moreover, it's a reminder of how quality scouting has saved Los Angeles from its tendency to go all-in on players with name value—future be damned.
Lakers continue to find undrafted gems during Rob Pelinka era
Los Angeles has been a standard-setting organization in finding undrafted players who can contribute quality NBA minutes. It's a process that some would argue began with Alex Caruso, who went undrafted in 2016 before spending the 2016-17 season in the G League.
In 2017, the Lakers added Caruso on a two-way contract—and he quickly emerged as one of the best defensive players in the NBA.
Caruso helped Los Angeles win a championship in 2019-20, setting the stage for another crucial piece of the puzzle to follow in his footsteps. Austin Reaves went undrafted in 2021 and all but immediately signed a two-way contract to join the Lakers.
Three years later, Reaves is one of the most productive players on the team, as well as a proven postseason performer who helped Los Angeles reach the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
Expecting Olivari to live up to that standard would be unfair, if not outright irresponsible. The Lakers' track record of turning undrafted rookies into rotation-caliber players is undeniable, however, and Olivari has the tools to develop accordingly.
In 2023-24, Olivari averaged 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.1 three-point field goals made on 40.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Beyond the numbers, the 6'3" and 200-pound guard is capable of pulling up from anywhere on the court, as well as working without the ball. He proved as much during his preseason breakout, shooting the lights out, crashing the boards, and constantly looking for the openings in the defense.
It may not be in 2024-25 that Olivari finds a consistent role in Los Angeles, but the seeds have been planted for a new diamond in the rough to surface for the Lakers.
