The Los Angeles Lakers are making roster moves that sees them add a free agent center to the team.
Amid a need to get bigger and more productive off the glass, the LA Lakers have made a minor change to their roster.
Guard Quincy Olivari is to be waived from his two-way deal, with center Trey Jemison set to sign after his recent release from the New Orleans Pelicans, who signed a forward in his place.
The Lakers need more center depth, and while they could still make a trade at the position, if Trey Jemison works out well, they might not need to.
The LA Lakers will be Trey Jemison’s fourth NBA team since entering the league in 2023 as undrafted free agent.
He had a short spell on the Wizards, before playing for the Grizzlies and then the Pelicans, and knows his strengths.
In an interview with Clutch Points last year, the 6 10″ big man said he is a ‘weight room guy’, who knows he needs to be strong to compete with the likes of Victor Wembanyama, who defeated the Lakers earlier this week.
He explained that rather than focus on scoring, which he can do, putting up 24 for the Grizzlies in a game last year, he got his spot by building his game around other aspects.
He said: “I locked in to just set the best screens, get every rebound, block every shot. Play hard, stuff like that. And it all worked out.”
Jemison added: “I’m not going to be the primary scorer anyway, let me just do my job to the best of my ability.”
Trey Jemison believes he can add to any group, arguing that he is ‘elite’ at doing what other basketball players might not want to do.
He explained: “When I got my shot in Memphis, I was not going in there trying to force anything. I end up getting double-doubles and 20-point games off of making the right reads, rolling hard, catching lobs, and putting back offensive rebounds.
“Those little things guys don’t want to do, I mean, I’m elite at. I’m blessed to say that. I’m a leader. I’m going to get dirty for those extra points. That’s the job for me.”
Jemison had 13 rebounds in a game for the Grizzlies last season and 11 in another. His time with the Pelicans was less successful, and now he is set for another fresh start in LA as a back-up, playing in the same team as NBA legend LeBron James.
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