When life throws lemons, Quincy Olivari doesn’t just make lemonade; he builds a whole roadside stand. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 24-year-old guard is again set to join the summer league in a couple of weeks. It’s a solid break for Olivari, who’s clawing his way towards a permanent NBA seat. But a few months ago, his world was unraveling fast. Recently, the young hoopstar opened up about a brutal chapter that nearly crushed him. His voice cracked as he recalled those nights, proving that even the toughest ballers bleed sometimes.
Quincy Olivari went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft but refused to fade quietly. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers’ Summer League squad, chasing his shot. On August 14, 2024, the Lakers signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract. By October 19, that deal morphed into a coveted two-way contract. But heartbreak followed fast. On January 15, 2025, the Lakers waived Olivari, torpedoing his NBA hopes. A week later, he landed with South Bay, still reeling from the gut punch. Recently, Olivari spoke about how tough it was back then, dealing with the setback.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka made a crucial roster move ahead of February’s NBA trade deadline. The team waived Quincy Olivari, sending him back to South Bay in the G League. In his place, center Trey Jemison stepped onto the roster. When Olivari heard the news, he “just froze”. No words. No reaction. On a recent episode of the Lakers Nation Podcast, he relived that moment. Olivari recalled how South Bay GM Nick Mazzella yanked him mid-game to deliver the gut-wrenching update.
