The Los Angeles Lakers are making moves with NBA free agency just days away from starting on June 30, 2025. Los Angeles made two intriguing additions following the NBA draft.
The Lakers agreed to terms with Villanova forward Eric Dixon, who led college basketball in scoring at 23.3 points per game during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, Los Angeles agreed to terms with another coveted undrafted free agent in North Carolina star RJ Davis.
“Former @UNC_Basketball and @step_basketball (guard) RJ Davis has agreed on an Exhibit 10 with the Lakers, per source,” The New York Times’ Adam Zagoria detailed in a June 26, message on X.
The Lakers also moved up two times in the second round to finally land Arkansas wing Adou Thiero with the No. 36 selection.
Let’s dive into what Davis brings to the Lakers.
What Is an Exhibit 10 Contract?
Davis joins the Lakers on an Exhibit 10 deal. Here’s a refresher on what an Exhibit 10 deal means for Davis and other rookies who sign similar contracts.
“An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary agreement that isn’t guaranteed,” Yahoo Sports detailed on July 12, 2024. “It can also include an optional bonus of up to $75,000 that will be rewarded if a player, after he’s waived, spends at least 60 days with a team’s G League affiliate.
“This makes the Exhibit 10 contract a helpful tool to bring in players to compete during Summer League for a roster spot on an NBA team or its G League affiliate. Each team can have up to six Exhibit 10 contracts at a time. An Exhibit 10 contract can then be converted into a two-way contract, which would also make the bonus money guaranteed.”
RJ Davis Brings Playmaking and Passing to the Lakers
Davis averaged at least 16 points per game in his final three seasons at North Carolina. The guard averaged 17.2 points, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and one steal per game while hitting 35.4% of his shots from long range in 37 starts during the 2024-25 season.
Davis has an impressive resume including being an All-American, the 2023-24 ACC Player of the Year and 2-time All-ACC team member.
“Incredible playmaking ability, using his change of pace in one-on-one matchups and the open court, leading to easy baskets for his teammates,” NBADraft.net detailed in the site’s pre-draft profile of Davis. “Has elite vision, finding cutters, passing out of ball screens, or running in transition. The 4.1 assists per game do not nearly reflect his playmaking ability. He can get to the basket and finish around the rim with his speed. Has a knack for getting to the rim and drawing fouls. An incredible free throw shooter at 85% this season.
“… Undersized for a point guard at 6’0, 180 lbs. His frame has allowed bigger guards to give him problems on defense in ACC play. Lack of physicality and strength has also shown difficulties for in guarding bigger and more physical opponents.”
Davis along with Dixon will have to battle to earn a roster spot. With the NBA draft in the rearview mirror, the Lakers will now turn their attention to free agency.
Los Angeles face challenges in landing players given the team is over the salary cap. The Lakers can try to sell veterans on attempting to win a title alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
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