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Lakers Sign Undrafted Sharpshooter to Two-Way Deal

The Los Angeles Lakers wasted no time in signing undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, right, talks with Leroy Sims, director of player performance & health, prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, right, talks with Leroy Sims, director of player performance & health, prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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The Los Angeles Lakers were as busy as any team in the NBA during and after the 2026 NBA Draft, with the storied franchise bringing in Cameron Carr in the first round after making a draft-day trade with the reigning champion New York Knicks and then signing a pair of undrafted players on Wednesday night.

Firstly, the Lakers wasted no time inking forward AK Okereke out of Vanderbilt to a two-way deal, but the 17-time NBA champions didn’t stop there, reportedly signing another player to a two-way contract shortly after.

Lakers Sign Peter Suder to Two-Way Deal After 2026 NBA Draft

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Lakers have brought in MAC Player of the Year Peter Suder out of Miami (OH) on a two-way contract.

Suder spent four years playing on the college level, starting with Bellarmine for his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Miami University. He improved his game from season to season, improving his numbers across the board from freshman year to his senior year during the 2025-26 campaign.

In 33 games with the Redhawks, Suder averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting an impressive 54.6 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range.

Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is over and undrafted players like Suder and Okereye get signed, the Lakers will prepare for what will almost certainly be an important free agency period, with several players on the team set to either hit the open market or have the opportunity to do so.

Lakers Still Need to Address the Center Position

With the additions of Carr, Okereye and Suder, the team has brought in some young talent that might have some upside, but the true task for the Lakers' new-look front office will be upgrading the center position, with Deandre Ayton not being the future of the position in Los Angeles.

Things will start to get interesting for the Lakers as they explore their options to bolster their frontcourt, as there are some intriguing options when it comes to unrestricted and restricted free agents.

Most notably, the Lakers have been linked to Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren, but few belive there current teams won't match offer sheets signed this summer.

Other options include Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III, who might be the two most attainable upgrades at center.

Only time will tell how the Rob Pelinka and company decide to move forward and which players are realistic targets in free agency and which are not.

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Ryan Ward
RYAN WARD

Ryan Ward is an NBA journalist and a credentialed reporter with more than 15 years of experience covering the league and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has written for ClutchPoints, Lakers Nation, Heavy, Rotowire and EssentiallySports. Ryan also produces a podcast and video content focused on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA at large.

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