Joel Ayayi joined the Lakers with about as much hype as an undrafted rookie can accrue. The Gonzaga product was ranked by ESPN as the third-best undrafted prospect following the conclusion of the 2021 NBA Draft, just behind his fellow two-way contract addition Austin Reaves.
But just as Reaves’ story showed the possible upside of a player betting on themselves, Ayayi’s demonstrates the potential pitfalls. Just like Reaves, Ayayi turned down the chance to get drafted with a second-round pick, but unlike Reaves — who parlayed a strong summer into a promotion from two-way player to guaranteed contract — Ayayi is now on the outside looking in at the NBA.