4:51pm: The contract with Fudge is official, the Lakers announced (via Twitter).
4:33pm: The Lakers will sign Alex Fudge to a two-way contract, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. They will open up a two-way slot by waiving Cole Swider, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
Fudge, a 20-year-old forward, put up modest numbers during his college career at LSU and Florida, averaging 4.6 and 3.9 rebounds over two seasons.
Fudge played for L.A.’s Summer League team, and although his statistics didn’t stand out, he impressed the Lakers enough with his athleticism to earn a two-way opportunity. A previous report had indicated he would be signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the team.
Swider, a 24-year-old small forward, signed a two-way contract with L.A. last summer after going undrafted out of Villanova. He appeared in just seven games for the Lakers, spending most of his rookie year in the G League, where he averaged 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 27 regular season games.
Swider’s contract for the upcoming season is non-guaranteed, so L.A. won’t be on the hook for any more money. Colin Castleton and D’Moi Hodge occupy the team’s other two-way spots.
Swider could win the3 pt contest and it wouldn’t shock me 1 bit ……. but as a tweener who can’t handle 4’s nor keep up w 3’s I’m not surprised w the swap
In the last couple hours we have Brown Fudge articles. Just saying.
Man, speaking of nothing-burger “news”; just cos it is The Most polarizing, overhyped franchise in the NBA.
Blame the media. The good thing is we will not be hearing trades they are making since they are way over the cap now.
Lakers are definitely not considered overhyped by the players. The absolute 100% #1 NBA franchise most players want to play for. Fanbase extends nationwide.
Once LeBron leaves or retires, another mega-superstar will take his place. Kareem – Magic Johnson – Shaq – Kobe – LeBron. Keep an eye on Giannis.
The absolute draft day “theft” that Jerry West pulled off to draft Kobe. Vlade Divac in exchange for #13 overall pick Kobe Bryant. Kobe threatened to play a year in Europe, rather than play for Charlotte, if he wasn’t traded to the Lakers. Divac had no desire to leave the Lakers, and threatened to retire. It ultimately went through. Charlotte has been making these kind of draft day decisions pretty much since they scored hits at the beginning with Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Kendall Gill.
I’m not doubting the Lakers nationwide Fandom, but idk, I recall them recently struggling to attract any big stars there.
Yes, LeBron went there eventually, but before LeBron and between AD coming didn’t they strike out quite a few times trying to attract other stars??
I think when it comes to attracting NBA players, a franchise’s prestige isn’t really at the top of their list anymore these days.
It seems like it mostly comes down to a team’s current ability to win a title, playing with their friends, or whichever team will give them a max deal. Those generally seem like the first things players tend to look at, and then if things are typically the same deciding factors are state taxes, head coach, hometown team, etc.
@richarde — besides some VERY valid points that you brought up, the truth is that…besides a pandemic-tainted 2020* “championship” in that infamous “Orlando bubble” (no fans; no atmosphere; et cetera) …said franchise had not won ANYTHING since 2010. So many FAs flocking there?
They fudged this one
Should of just signed shaqs son
Lol