3 Reasons Trey Jemison III Can Make a Difference for the Lakers

Not every NBA move this time of year makes headlines. Fans are eagerly waiting for news about e.g. Jimmy Butler, Cam Johnson and others, but in the meantime, under-the-radar moves are being made that could affect the race for the postseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers made such a move last week, signing Trey Jemison III on Friday after he was waived by the New Orleans Pelicans. Jemison signed a two-way contract with LA, meaning he will be able to play in the G League with the South Bay Lakers and on the big-league team.

Jemison’s signing probably won’t move the needle, even for Lakers fans, but it’s a good indication that general manager Rob Pelinka isn’t just looking to swing for the fences when it comes to improving the team.

As the current 6-seed with a 22-18 record on the season, the Lakers straddle the line between contenders and also-rans in the Western Conference playoff race. Here are three reasons Jemison’s signing could help them hold on to a postseason berth.

Anthony Davis has done a fantastic job of overcoming the injury-prone tag he’s carried throughout his career. Last year he played in 76 of a possible 82 games, and so far this season he has played in 37 of 40. However, he carries a heavy offensive load in head coach JJ Redick’s first season, and lately there have been signs that that the extra responsibility takes its toll.

Davis has missed three of LA’s last 11 games, including Friday’s nail-biting win over the Nets. Anytime AD has been forced to miss time, and even when he gets his regular rest during games, the Lakers have a gaping hole at center. Jaxson Hayes has had trouble staying on the court himself, playing in less than half of the Lakers’ games. Christian Koloko hasn’t been the answer either, as he’s done very little in less than 10 minutes per game to justify continued playing time.

The Lakers need new blood to help Davis out, and Jemison is a low-risk way to fill that void.

Jemison is raw offensively, but he knows what he’s doing on the defensive end. He was named to the Conference USA All-Defense team for three straight years at UAB, and he also led the conference in rebounding his senior season.

He also has the bulk and strength that Hayes and Koloko lack. He is listed two inches shorter than both, but he has 30 more pounds than Koloko and 40 more than Hayes. That comes in handy when going up against guys like Nikola Jokic, Zach Edey, Rudy Gobert and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Jemison was a rebounding monster with the G League’s Birmingham Squadron last year, pulling down 12.2 boards in just over 30 minutes per game. match. That’s exactly what the Lakers need, as only the 76ers have fewer rebounds than them this year.

The Lakers moved quickly to sign Jemison when he was released by the Pelicans, and they showed their interest in him by committing to a two-year contract.

LA waived rookie Summer League sensation Quincy Olivari to make room for their new big man. With the need for help at center, this move makes a lot more sense from a roster construction standpoint, as even though Olivari tore it up in Vegas, he could never find playing time in Redick’s crowded backcourt.

The Lakers wasted no time getting Jemison into some action, pushing him into the lineup in his first game available on Friday. Davis missed that game with plantar fascitis, and while Jemison didn’t exactly ignite the box scoring, he helped hold down the fort with four rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes.

Jemison won’t come in and be a star, but if he can be a poor man’s DeAndre Jordan or Andre Drummond, that would go a long way toward bolstering the Lakers rotation.