Lakers sign standout rookie Olivari to 2-way deal

LOS ANGELES – At the conclusion of the Los Angeles Lakers preseason Friday, training camp invitee Quincy Olivari told reporters, “I just want a job in the NBA.”

On Saturday, the undrafted guard out of Xavier got his wish.

L.A. is signing Olivari to a two-way contract, his agent, Darrell Comer, told ESPN.

Olivari, 23, made the most of his preseason opportunities – leading L.A. to the first win of the JJ Redick era by scoring 11 fourth quarter points in a come-from-behind victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. And Friday, with the Lakers resting their starters against the Golden State Warriors, he led the team with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5-of-9 from 3).

The Lakers are waiving second-year center Colin Castleton to open the two-way slot for Olivari.

As the Lakers part with Castleton, there is optimism within the franchise surrounding Christian Koloko‘s status. Sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN that a decision from the NBA’s “fitness-to-play” panel is expected very soon.

L.A. signed the 7-foot-1 Koloko to a two-way deal in the offseason in the hopes of adding big man depth behind Anthony Davis on the roster.

Koloko, the No. 33 pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, missed all of last season with a blood clot issue and needs to be cleared by the league’s fitness-to-play panel consisting of an NBA-appointed doctor, a players union-appointed doctor and a mutually agreed upon third doctor before he can participate in basketball activities for L.A.