Los Angeles Lakers fans are eagerly anticipating the commencement of the 2023-24 NBA season, which they expect will pave the way to the team’s 18th NBA title.

Althоugh they are оnly 2-3 thrоugh five preseasоn games, they have shоwn sоme prоmise, particularly оn the оffensive end.

In the second halves of these games, especially in the fourth quarter, head coach Darvin Ham has heavily rotated in rookies and inexperienced players. After giving guard Scotty Pippen Jr., guard Damon Baugh, and forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon many looks, the team has opted to waive all three of them (h/t Lakers Daily).

On Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks, Pippen saw extensive action. He only made two of nine field goal attempts and four of nine free throw attempts, but he played with terrific effort and hustle. The son of a basketball legend tallied six assists, four rebounds, and three steals in a game.

Lakers waive Scotty Pippen Jr., Damion Baugh, Vincent Valerio-Bodon

On Monday, the Lakers started reducing their training camp roster by waiving three players who were all on Exhibit 10 agreements. The team cut ties with Scotty Pippen Jr., Vincent Valerio-Bodon, and Damion Baugh after their Sunday matchup against the Bucks in the second-to-last preseason game.Pippen Jr. played the most minutes of any of these players during the preseason, and he played the vast majority of those minutes on Sunday. SPJ filled in at point guard tonight in the absence of the injured Austin Reaves, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Gabe Vincent.

Although it had long been expected that these individuals would be waived, it is clear that he did not make a heroic last-ditch effort to keep his spot on the team. These three are all on the Exhibit 10 contracts that are essentially invitations to training camp with the promise of a lucrative future with the South Bay Lakers if and when they are waived by the parent team.

Even if the three don’t sign with the South Bay Lakers, they likely won’t sign with another team unless they’re offered a substantial contract, which is improbable in the G League but not impossible in other leagues.

As Darvin Ham has stated, the starting lineup will look quite similar to the regular season lineup for the first three quarters of Thursday’s last preseason game.

After these transactions, the Lakers have a finalized roster of 14 players, plus two-way players D’Moi Hodge, Colin Castelton, and Alex Fudge.