Why Quincy Olivari will have to wait for opportunity with Lakers

As the Lakers charge up the Western Conference to begin the 2024-25 NBA season, attention has shifted somewhat to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where rookie Quincy Olivari has dominated.

The 6-foot-3 point guard started the season on fire, posting 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and one steal in a highly publicized season opener as South Bay triumphed over the Salt Lake City Stars.

Olivari hit seven three-pointers in 37 minutes as media and fans eagerly awaited Bronny James’ long-anticipated G League debut.

In the two games that followed, the 23-year-old continued his scorching form. After three games, he’s averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 44.1 percent from beyond the arc.

He currently ranks second in the G League in points per game. A blistering start that has some fans urging the Lakers to give the two-way player a shot in the NBA.

However, despite his impressive performances with South Bay, it appears that Olivari’s call-up to the Lakers is not imminent.

According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has not considered the South Bay star for rotation minutes at this time.

"JJ Redick said he’s not considered Quincy Olivari for rotation minutes yet despite his impressive start in the G League," Buha said.

Dalton Knecht's emergence as an elite perimeter scoring threat, combined with Max Christie's return to the guard rotation — offering defensive versatility despite offensive inconsistencies — has left Olivari slipping down the pecking order.

Many fans have called for Gabe Vincent to be removed from the rotation in favor of the G League standout. The 28-year-old has had a rough start to the season, averaging just 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, with multiple zero-point outings and lowly shooting marks.

While Vincent’s minutes have decreased during the Lakers' current six-game winning streak, Redick has continued to stick with the $11 million man — at least for the time being.

Whether Olivari would perform in the NBA remains to be seen. He hasn't been given the chance yet, but in the limited opportunities he had to play extended minutes before the season, he delivered.

In the Summer League finale, he dropped 20 points in just 23 minutes, including six three-pointers. He also exploded for 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers secure a preseason win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ahead of the NBA season opener, in the preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors, he posted 22 points and seven rebounds, knocking down five threes. It was a performance that firmly placed him on the radar of many Lakers fans.

Following his impressive showing against the Warriors, Redick was full of praise for Olivari’s all-around play.

"Quincy (Olivari) just completely changed the game," Redick said, via Spectrum SportsNet. "To me, and I told our guys this after, what he did is the blueprint for what we're asking for a few of our players in terms of just picking up full court, being disruptive, taking time off the shot clock.”

"I thought he just executed exactly what we want from someone in his position, and we've challenged a number of guys and they've done it well to varying degrees. But, I haven't seen it executed that well until tonight with Quincy."

Though an NBA opportunity may not come right now, it’s surely only a matter of time, especially if Olivari continues to perform at his current level.

Many are reminded of Scotty Pippen Jr.'s situation last season when the Memphis Grizzlies poached the young guard after impressing in the G League. However, Olivari is under contract with the Lakers on a two-way deal, meaning another NBA team cannot claim him.

The concern with Pippen Jr. was that he was on a two-way contract as a rookie and was only on a standard G League contract during his second season, allowing the Grizzlies to pounce. Now, the Lakers have been presented with a potential second chance in the making. 

The former Xavier standout is undoubtedly on a hot streak, and it’s clear that Redick and the Lakers front office hold him in high regard.

Now, it’s a matter of whether Olivari can maintain his blistering form.