No, they cut Ayayi off their second two way and it’s currently open. The article speculates that the Lakers will look around and see if there are more established options available, but that Chaundee is potentially first in line among their existing guys.
They do also have 1 roster spot that they’re intentionally keeping open.
I thought I would get a jump on where our Michigan alumnus are, prior to opening night. I’m not going to bother to crunch pre-season stats for Tim Hardaway, Duncan Robinson, or Caris Levert - we know who these guys are, where they are, and their roles are pretty much ones we know, and ones they can deliver in.
Starting with the slightest updates, and building up:
Glenn Robinson III is not on an NBA roster, nor was he in a camp. The more time that passes, the odds of him appearing on one again probably decline. Won’t discuss him again until he surfaces.
Chaundee Brown, Jon Teske, and DJ Wilson were waived by the Lakers, Magic, and Thunder, respectively. None have a 2 way contract. That said, their pre-season did have pretty distinct arcs:
Chaundee Brown was excellent, and won a following among Lakers Twitterati. He scored 8.5 points in just under 12 minutes per game, and shot 47% from the floor and 45% from 3. That shooting obviously shouldn’t be expected to continue, but it’s my personal belief we’ll see Chaundee on an NBA floor at some point this season.
Jon Teske got about 11 minutes of pre-season play in Orlando, the stats probably aren’t worth discussing. He played in Lakeland last year, wouldn’t shock me to see him return, but a water-test of the overseas market may be coming.
Wilson played 24 minutes, and rebounded pretty well, but if he couldn’t get pre-season looks in as wide-open a place as OKC, I’m thinking this is the last time we see him associated with the NBA for some time.
Ignas Brazdeikis got about 11 mpg and shot very poorly. He is, however, one of the Magic’s two 2-way contracts at the moment, so he’s in the system for the time being. Ignas has torched the G League for 2 straight years now (sort of the basketball equivalent of the "Quadruple A player). If he can’t carce a role in Orlando this year, he’s a guy that is screaming big-time European ball in my mind.
Mo Wagner played about 15 mpg in Orlando, and shot the 3 quite well (40% in nearly 4 attempts in that 15 mins), and quite poorly from 2 (enough to drag his FG% to 38%). His struggle in his NBA tenure has actually revolved a great deal around his 3-point shot, so if he can continue that, it’s a good sign. I’m not sure how he fits here - they seem to want to play both their other centers (Wendell Carter, Mo Bamba) so I’m not sure Wagner is in the rotation at the moment. That said, this team is going to try stuff so maybe Mo as a 4 is something we see.
Franz Wagner followed up a pretty tough summer league with a significantly tougher pre-season. In 22 MPG, he took fewer shots than his brother, and shot 26% from the floor, 28% from 3. He also lead the team (by a LOT) in fouls (impressive, given Mo is on the roster). He did flash some passing (close to 2 assists), but this wasn’t good. Obviously it’s very early yet, and things can always turn, but this is a rough start.
Jordan Poole took his strong close to the last year and played so well in his four game that all of the Golden State media crew is trying to figure out ways for him to play with Steph and Klay as a threesome on the roster (bye-bye Wiggins!). Poole scored 22 ppg and picked up 3 assists a game at the same time…he shot 51% from the floor, and made 36% of his nearly 9 three point attempts a game (and he took some DEEP Steph-Curry-ish ones). So…he’s going to play a lot. Klay won’t be healthy to start the year, so Poole will almost certainly be the day 1 starter at the 2 next to Steph, likely working in a stagger so he can lead the second unit when Curry sits. Longer term, I imagine he will be a 6th man when Klay returns, but it wouldn’t shock me to see a closing lineup that moves Klay to the 3 (he’s 6’8", and all the lower leg injuries may shift him down the defensive spectrum), puts Andrew Wiggins on the bench, and Jordan in the starting lineup.
Thanks! Love these updates. What about Trey Burke? Any news about his status given his lack of interest in getting the vaccine?
Any word on where Livers is heading into the season? I know he’s been shooting but isn’t game ready.
I know Walton was also a late cut. I haven’t heard about Matthews or anyone else trying to latch on.
I actually think GRIII may have moved past basketball. He made a tweet insinuating that, seems focused on his non profit
Mathews wasn’t at a camp from what I can tell.
I think Walton is destined for Europe, he’s played the last two years in France and Germany.
The last Livers update I can find is that he is “on track to be cleared to practice”. Which is…a helluva empty statement. I think given how much he has missed, we are looking at a heavy G league season for Isaiah.
Simpson to the Thunder’s G League I think.
Stauskas was signed, and then waived by the Nuggets. G-League is the speculation.
I still think he should go overseas, he was doing well there until he got injured. But the draw of the NBA is tough to overcome
lol, I think the draw of the NBA may be in his mind at this point.
Jordan’s got it cooking on opening night. It’s really wild to see how comfortable he looks running the offense out there.
Don’t watch much NBA but was bored tonight and craving college basketball to start again. So I watched.
He looked like most Michigan players in the nba the first half, not doing much, missing big shots, and it was depressing.
In the second half, he went crazy and looked like a veteran, so at ease. I just loved watching him play. Win or lose.
Win or lose, as long as he’s making big shots. Otherwise, it would be depressing. 
Sounds like me watching Michigan players in the NBA.
I made a bet on Poole for the MIP award. He’s off to a great start. The Warriors looked so much better last night than in the last few seasons. The overall depth and talent has been replenished for the most part. They beat the LAL without Klay who won’t be cleared to play until he’s 100% ready to be back. There are talks from the fans about trotting out Curry, Klay and Poole on the same floor to get shooting/spacing at closing minutes.
Yeah, rough first half, good second half. And Poole is 100% going to close games when Klay comes back. I doubt Klay is a 2 anymore - it’s been 900+ days I think since he’s played a game.
Jordan Poole just played a game as the clear #2 option for a contending team against Lebron James and filled it capably. If you’d said that a year ago no one would have believed you.
And yes the Warriors have a team of NBA caliber players now which is huge. Last year they didn’t even have that. Now Otto Porter only gets 12 minutes. Don’t think they can win it all because I have doubt about Klay’s effectiveness after the injuries, but they are insanely fun to watch and could make it to the conference finals potentially
I usually don’t watch NBA regular season games, but tuned in last night. Besides Poole, Warriors no 8 was very impressive and I have never heard of him before last night.
I was actually going to add in my comment that JP might be a shoe in for MIP this year. What were the odds on that bet? I might have to put something on it myself
Lol that’s what 4 years in Sacramento will do.
I did Fan Duel and made a bet a month ago when his odds are at +1800. I did the same with Cam Reddish which is +9000 which seems like a great value for me.
Klay’s shooting will still be effective but there are other parts that will be questioned especially on defense.