Zavier Simpsons signs as UDFA with the Lakers
The Lakers signed Zavier Simpson as an UDFA a couple hours after the draft according to Shams.
Lot of people speculating on Twitter if Jon Teske will get signed by someone also.
(dont know how to embed)
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1329314389908975616?s=20
November 19th, 2020 at 2:59 AM ^
Teske seems worth a chance to at least sign to a practice squad. He's a fundamentally sound player and he's 7'1. That kinda height doesn't exactly grow on trees. Here's hoping for the kid!
November 19th, 2020 at 7:06 AM ^
He can still make a good living in Europe.
November 19th, 2020 at 3:43 AM ^
Good for X. Good luck. Maybe throwing assists to LeBron.
November 19th, 2020 at 8:48 AM ^
Yeah, that's not how that works.
November 19th, 2020 at 3:43 AM ^
Thanks too to a Beilein and Howard.
November 19th, 2020 at 6:40 AM ^
Pelinka taking care of UM guys
November 19th, 2020 at 12:16 PM ^
Rob, don't let him borrow your car.
/too soon?
November 19th, 2020 at 7:04 AM ^
*Simpsonx
November 19th, 2020 at 8:53 AM ^
what a testament to Beilein that this guy is in the NBA. If you told me even as a UDFA X would be on a roster during his freshman year, I would have laughed you out of the room.
November 19th, 2020 at 9:08 AM ^
Low-risk move by Lakers FO/Pelinka that fits the mold of role player that we love in the backcourt - tough minded, defensive oriented guard that defends at the point of attack. We've prioritized players like this via Avery Bradley, KCP and of course Alex Caruso.
Simpson is undersized and has a ton of question marks offensively, but he will compete like hell on defense.
As for Teske, I think a poor man's Zubac (Clippers) is his ceiling. Jon is a tremendous passer, but he's just too limited athletically to really project as a switchable defender or rim protector. His fatal flaw for me though, is the lack of verticality as a finisher. He just doesn't get any lift at the rim and I think its tough to play a non-switchable big that can't stretch the floor while being a non-factor as a roll-man. That's basically current version Marc Gasol minus the shooting...........and he was nearly unplayable for stretches this year.
November 19th, 2020 at 9:29 AM ^
Well said.
He should have a multi-million dollar career in Europe when it's all said and done.
November 19th, 2020 at 9:35 AM ^
The best thing about this from both the Lakers' and Simpson's perspective..........the Lakers acquisition of Schroder allows Simpson to develop and learn for a few years before he's really expected to crack the rotation.
No expectations in the early going, all while learning from arguably the two best players in the world right now for the best franchise in all of sports during the modern era. Oh and SoCal weather isn't all that bad either.
November 19th, 2020 at 9:51 AM ^
Plus where better than to perfect the art of he skyhook? His ceiling is probably an end of rotation piece, but Lakers' G League system has been an lowkey gem where he might just carve out an NBA career
November 19th, 2020 at 10:01 AM ^
A few here laughed at me a few months back when I said I'd put the Lakers draft/scouting team up there with any team in the league over the last 5 years. I think some of that sentiment stems from accepted theory that the Lakers are the "golden franchise" that every superstar wants to play for. But I think if you examine recent history, you'll see a good portion of current/former Lakers have outplayed their draft position by a wide margin.
November 19th, 2020 at 10:02 AM ^
X will need to develop as a more consistent 3-point threat. Great for him to have the chance !
November 19th, 2020 at 10:16 AM ^
Matt, I understand you are a Lakers fan but "best franchise in all of sports during the modern era?" First, I am not sure what modern ear even means across various sports. Is this North America only? Even if so, not sure how you say the Lakers are more dominant than say the Pats unless you are going back even further in time. Do you really need that to make your point? The Lakers would not be my first thought upon hearing that statement.
That said, love your analysis and contributions here and good for Simpson to get a chance.
November 19th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
Good point, I should've probably clarified. I'm restricting my definition to the big 4 here in North America (probably the big 3 considering the decline of hockey) and the modern era commences in 1980 for me. Athletes across all sports started to be considerably better in nearly every sport during that decade and the last 40 years feels about right.
The resume during that time for the Lakers:
17 Finals Appearances
11 NBA Championships
Most regular season wins during that time span
Twenty five (!) 50 win seasons
Nine 60 win seasons
So while I agree the Pats have been dominant since 2000, so have the Lakers. Both franchises have 6 championships over the last 20 years. The huge distinction is the Lakers have been dominant across the entire 40 year span of the modern era.
November 19th, 2020 at 9:53 AM ^
Fab Five w/Pelinka as well as Juwan w/LeBron in MIA = Simpson to LAL.
Michigan really is a 40 year choice.
November 19th, 2020 at 2:03 PM ^
This is a great point and one example of an awesome pitch Juwan can give to recruits. "You want to play in the NBA? I was college teammates with the Lakers GM and was NBA teammates with LeBron. Maybe we can facetime with them later. I also coached alongside and played for Eric Spoelstra, the other coach in the NBA Finals last year. Was texting with him earlier today, maybe we can loop him in."
He's not the only college coach with those kinds of connections, but it's an elite group at that point.
November 19th, 2020 at 10:13 AM ^
He has almost no shot to make the team, but good to see him getting a chance anyways.
November 19th, 2020 at 10:30 AM ^
I think this is worth noting that Simpson hit 75% of his 3 pointers in the NBA Draft Combine which was top 10 of all prospects? Where was that when he was at Michigan?
November 19th, 2020 at 10:38 AM ^
This is exactly why I don't subscribe to the "80% FT Shooter = good 3pt shooter" theory. Seems rather difficult to draw parallels to shooting a wide open shot with no defender in sight to attempting a 3pt shot while a world class athlete with size/length is attempting to close out. It compromizes mechanics and obstructs vision.
November 19th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
Wait Karl Malone was a great 3 point shooter? Honest questions does anyone have a Karl Malone 3 point attempt in their memory banks?
November 19th, 2020 at 2:04 PM ^
Seriously? Karl Malone was a great shooter, especially for a big man. He didn't get to be the #2 scorer all time off of lay ups alone.
November 19th, 2020 at 10:49 AM ^
very cool to see. Happy for X to join the Lake Show.
Will need to grind to make it, but at least he has a shot...
props to Rob Pelinka as well, who undoubtedly had some role in this... Hopefully Teske lands somewhere too
November 19th, 2020 at 11:19 AM ^
Congrats for Simpson. He's likely not going to stick with the Lakers but excited to see him get a shot.
November 19th, 2020 at 12:09 PM ^
Go, Zavier!
November 19th, 2020 at 2:37 PM ^
I didn't think Simpson had a realistic chance with the Lakers, but they just waived their 3rd string PG Quinn Cook, so I do wonder if that gives Zavier more of an opportunity. We know Coach Vogel is a defense first coach, could get interesting.