The Lakers have two cuts and one signing!Revealing the new signings with 23 points and 33 boards in a single game: two major advantages are suitable for the Purple and Gold

On January 7, Beijing time, according to a report by Woj of the Athletic, the Lakers signed Dylan Windler, a guard swingman who plays in the G League, with a two-way contract. Windler, 27, 1.98 meters tall, scored 23 points and 33 rebounds in a single game in the G League last Friday, and 33 rebounds also set a new record for single-game rebounds in G League history. Obviously, this outburst made the Lakers take a fancy to him.

Lakers officials later announced that the team had laid off two-way contract players Franky and Hodge, who played in four games for the Lakers this season, averaging 1 point and 0.5 rebounds per game, and Hodge, who played in seven games and averaged 2 points and 0.7 assists per game. After two cuts and one signing, the Lakers' new 14+2 lineup was released, with one vacancy for both regular and two-way rosters.

Three-point and rebounding for the Purple and Gold

Windeler was the No. 26 pick in the first round in 2019 when he was drafted by the Cavaliers. In the first season of his career, Windler got a lot of playing opportunities, playing 31 games off the bench, averaging 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Many thought he was expected to stay with the Cavaliers for the long term, but injuries followed, and Vindler's playing time began to decrease, and the next two games gradually left the rotation. In July 2023, Windler signed a two-way contract with the Knicks, and in October, the Knicks converted the two-way contract to a regular contract, although he was cut on December 14 of the same year.

Vindler, who went to play in the G League, seized his opportunity. In a G-League game last Friday, Windler scored 23 points and 33 rebounds, causing a lot of attention. As a 1.98-meter-tall swingman, he grabbed 33 rebounds, setting a record in G League history. Lakers general manager Pelinka also made a decisive move, cutting Foxy and Hodge and signing Vindler.

According to previous scouting reports, Vindler's two major strengths are three-pointers and rebounds. In college, Vindeler shot 217-of-534 from three-point range, shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range, and he also averaged 7.8 rebounds per game. Especially in his senior season, Wendeler averaged 21.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, shooting 42.9% from three-point range, and performed very well.

Three-point shooting and rebounding are indeed the Lakers' current shortcomings. The Lakers are shooting 35.1 percent from three-point range, ranking 24th in the league, and are averaging 10.7 three-pointers per game, ranking 29th in the league. In terms of rebounds, the Lakers only grabbed 43.5 rebounds per game, ranking 18th in the league, and averaged only 8.5 rebounds per game, ranking 28th in the league.

Almost became a professional golfer

In a previous report on Vindler, it was mentioned that the Lakers' new signing, in addition to playing basketball, is also very good at golf. When he was in high school, he even made golf a priority for a time, and almost became a professional golfer. However, he grew taller and more capable on the basketball court, and finally decided to switch to basketball before college.

In his final year of high school, Windeler averaged 27.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, successfully attracting the interest of college scouts. At that time, Wendler received offers from 15 NCAA Division I universities, and he eventually chose to join Belmont University.

In his freshman season, he played off the bench averaging just 4.3 points per game, and in his sophomore season, he moved into the starting lineup, averaging 9.2 points per game and shooting 39.8 percent from three-point range. In his junior season, Wendeler significantly improved his standards, averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, and his three-point shooting rate increased to 42.6%, and in his senior season, Wendeler finally became an NBA first-round pick with 21.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 42.9% three-point shooting.

The Lakers' new 14+2 lineup is released

The Lakers cut Foxy and Hodge, signed Vindler, and their new 14+2 lineup has also been released-

Regular lineup (14): James, Bushy Eyebrows, Russell, Hachimura, Reaves, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Prince, Hood Schiffino, Wood, Hayes, Reddish, Christie, Lewis

Two-way contract squad (2): Castleton, Vindler

Two experts interpret the Lakers' new signings

Well-known stats expert John Hollinger deciphered the Lakers' new signings, writing: "A two-way contract player won't save the Lakers' season, but I really like Vindler's performance. A good scorer, a long range, a smart cutter who can play a number three or a four, and does well in the G League. He's often injured and struggles with space defense, but he's a good fit for the Lakers. ”

Salary expert Keith Smith wrote: "Wendeler has been in the league for four years, which normally doesn't qualify for a two-way contract, but Wendeller missed a year in his first four seasons due to injury, so he qualifies for a two-way contract. This is a change in the union's new collective contract, which Giles III had previously benefited from by signing a contract. ”