Even though the Los Angeles Lakers were without a draft pick in the 2021 NBA Draft after trading for Russell Westbrook, the team made up for it by signing Austin Reaves and Joel Ayayi to two-way contracts.
Reaves and Ayayi were widely expected to hear their names called on draft night, but both rookies discussed that it was too appealing to sign with a franchise like the Lakers. Los Angeles, of course, has a knack for developing talent, so Reaves and Ayayi are in good hands going forward.
Lakers fans got a glimpse of what Reaves and Ayayi could do when they played for the Summer League team, and each showed flashes of how they could contribute at the NBA level.