LA Lakers not only did smart signing in free agency, but also played smartly by making other acquisitions in exhibition deals.
Exhibition contracts are unguaranteed one-year contracts, allowing teams to convert them into two-way or standard NBA contracts.
La Lakers has signed 10 three exhibits, all already certifying their qualifications at the university.
One of them is currently playing in the Eurobasket tournament, and he was expected to play for the Milwaukee Bucks before the Lakers offered.
Augustus Marschlionis plays for Lithuania in the Eurobasket Tournament, which is set to feature stars like Luca Donsic, Nicola Dzhokic and Giannis Antetocomo.
The Lithuanian broke his leg just before the 2025 NBA draft, which led to him being undrafted.
However, the Bucks and Lakers approached him after the draft, but his choice was to advance the team with purple and gold.
Marciulionis said: “The attention was similar from both teams, but in Los Angeles, my agents were more people and I knew and trusted.
“For some reason, LA felt like the right choice. Still, it wasn’t easy because I don’t know much about the NBA environment. But I thought this was the perfect place for me.”
He played for the Gales team at St. Mary in the college and averaged 14.2 PPG in the 2024-25 NCAA Tournament.
Marciulionis also averages 5.9 assists and 1.3 steel, indicating that he has the ability to become a great point guard.
“It was very strange lol. The whole period of uncertainty – when I didn’t know what things would turn out – was tough, and then the Lakers options came in.
“They have attracted a lot of attention both in interviews and in signatures. I’m happy to be in a good environment where I believe in me. That’s the most important thing,” added Marciulionis.
The Lakers brought Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Jake Laravia and others to free agency.
All of these players have a lot to prove Ayton, especially according to Kendrick Perkins, who believes the Lakers must work brilliantly to avoid potential ejections from the NBA.
Smart has been fighting injuries since leaving the Boston Celtics and his stint against the Lakers.
Since Laravia was not on a good team in his career, this move could help him unlock his true potential.
Meanwhile, their two-way and exhibition signatures are also impressive.
They signed NCAA scoring champion Eric Dixon with an exhibit 10 contract, and he has already revealed what he brings to the Lakers.
Some of them are talented players, too. So it’s exciting to see who will make the roster at the start of the 2025-26 season.