The Los Angeles Lakers haven't had a good time lately, with the Los Angeles Lakers showing a rebound trend in late December to early January, but the poor performance of the entire team against the Western Conference powerhouse Grizzlies showed their lack of competitiveness. For a team that is looking to win in the present, it is a headache to not be competitive enough at the end of the season. After all, when one team solves the problem only by trading, other teams will inevitably raise the asking price of trading chips, thus increasing the difficulty of the Lakers' trade. Under such circumstances, the Lakers will hope for short-term reinforcements on short-term signings. Earlier today, according to NBA authoritative reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers used a two-way contract exception to sign Dunbuya, who played briefly for the team, and the young winger with outstanding physical fitness will once again wear a purple and gold jersey.
The Lakers signed sporty wing Stanley Johnson at the height of their injury suspension in December, a signing that clearly came as an unexpected surprise. Compared to Ariza and Anthony, two senior interior players over the age of 35, 25-year-old Stanley Johnson can obviously help the Lakers' weak defense better. According to Vogel's content when answering reporters' questions, the Lakers have basically determined to play a small lineup for the rest of the season. Even after Anthony Davis returns from injury, James will play fifth in the second team. In such a situation, the Lakers need wings with enough size and athleticism to help James protect the basket. Dunbua, who signed this time, has a very similar function to Stanley Johnson, and his athleticism is better than That of Stanley Johnson.
Dumboya, who is only 22 years old this year, was selected with the fifteenth pick in the first round of 2019 when his draft template was Antetokounmpo, the Greek "alphabet brother" who led the team to victory last season. But like Stanley Johnson, who entered the league with the eighth pick in the first round, the high-potential high-pick didn't make Dumbua's NBA career smooth. After two seasons on the bench for the Pistons, Dunbua, who was still on his rookie contract, was dropped. According to media reports, the reason for Dunbua's abandonment was mainly due to the suspected age fraud, which allowed the Pistons, who have been in the rebuilding period, to shift their focus to other rookies. But the Lakers clearly don't care whether Dumboya is 21 or 25, and his athleticism and physical fitness can help the Lakers fill multiple positions.
Vogel revealed the team's injury situation to the media before the last game, and Davis and Nunn are very close to a comeback. Coupled with special factors, the NBA has lifted the playing restrictions on two-way contracts this season, which gives Dunbuya the freedom to play for the Lakers like other players. Not surprisingly, Dunbua will be in the Lakers' regular rotation before Davis returns, helping veterans like Ariza and Anthony win some breaks. With a trade deadline still a month away, the Lakers are very hopeful that Dunbua can be a surprise like Johnson to fill a team vacancy, which will give the team management more freedom in operating the transaction. In other words, signing Dunbua again at this stage is a trading signal for the Lakers.