With the 2024 Summer Olympics concluded, the Los Angeles Lakers are ending their period of inactivity. The Lakers have been relatively quiet this offseason, making only a few moves such as re-signing Max Christie and LeBron James.
While the Lakers haven’t yet made a major splash in free agency, recent additions hint that JJ Redick understands the areas where the team needs improvement.
The Lakers are starting to overhaul their G League team by parting ways with South Bay Lakers head coach Dane Johnson and bringing in new talent. Among the new additions are Colin Castleton, Blake Hinson, and Armel Traoré.
The Lakers, known for having many great players throughout their history, have strict criteria for retiring a player’s jersey. Pau Gasol, who helped win two NBA championships with the Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant, was recently honored.
Former defensive guard Michael Cooper, who meets these criteria, will have his No. 21 jersey retired by the Lakers on January 13 when they face the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena, according to the team’s X account. Cooper, inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, played a key role in the Lakers’ “Showtime” era along with other legends whose jerseys have been retired.
The Lakers are looking to improve their three-point shooting and interior depth across all levels. He is known for his explosive scoring and excellent jump shot, and could develop into a quality scoring guard.
In the 2023-24 season, Olivari was the second-highest scorer in the Big East with 19.1 points per game and also ranked second in three-point field goals made with 3.1 per game. His 40.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc could make him a valuable addition to the Lakers’ roster, potentially securing a bench role in the upcoming season.
