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[Saba Sports News] With NBA two-way contracts not counting against the salary cap, teams have the flexibility to rotate players throughout the season.
These contracts, with three spots available per team, allow organizations to evaluate talent on a trial-and-error basis. Recently, the Lakers made a roster change, waiving two-way player Quincy Olivari and signing Trey Jemison, who debuted against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
With Anthony Davis sidelined and Jaxson Hayes stepping into the starting lineup, Jemison became the Lakers’ backup center by default. In a little over 14 minutes of play, he recorded four rebounds and two blocked shots. After the game, Jemison admitted he was disappointed in his rebounding numbers.
“Four is low-key a bad number. I should have gotten at least six or seven. I missed a few out there,” Jemison said.
“But my goal out here is to be physical, do all the hard stuff, let the other guys handle the easy stuff. They can score the ball. I’ll set screens, rebound, and do the dirty work—but I’ve got to be better than I was tonight.”
The Lakers face uncertainty in their frontcourt ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, with both Davis and Hayes listed as questionable. If either or both are unavailable, Jemison will likely reprise his role as the backup center.
Injuries to Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood have left the team thin upfront, making Jemison’s addition a necessary move.
Jemison wasn’t expecting significant minutes in his debut but found out just before tip-off that Davis would be out and he’d need to step up.
“I found out about five minutes before I went out there. But it’s basketball,” Jemison said. “It’s a blessing to get my feet wet and get it out of the way. First-game jitters are over. Now, it’s time to work.”
Jemison started the season with the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-way contract, appearing in 16 games before being waived. In his rookie season in 2023-24, he split time between the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.
If the Lakers’ frontcourt returns to full health, Jemison could see time in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, but for now, he’s savoring the opportunity.
“I was at my mom’s house about 48 hours ago, packing my bags, thinking, ‘Damn, I’m going to LA.’ I was in shock, like, ‘What should I pack? What shoes should I bring?’” Jemison recalled. “When I got here, I was amazed—the fans, the cheering, the culture. I’m really blessed to have this opportunity.”