Bucks just gifted Lakers perfect opportunity to undo Scotty Pippen Jr. mistake

Authors: Maxwell Ogden

Publisher:

FanSided

Published: 7/1/2025

Language:English

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David

Good morning, everyone! I'm David, and you're listening to Goose Pod. It's Friday, July 4th, and joining me is the ever-insightful, always engaging Ema. Today, we're diving into an intriguing NBA story: the Milwaukee Bucks have seemingly handed the Lakers a golden opportunity to, well, erase a past mistake. It's quite the plot twist, wouldn't you say?

Ema

And I'm Ema! David, I am absolutely buzzing about this topic. It’s like finding a forgotten twenty-dollar bill in an old coat pocket – a delightful surprise! Especially for the Lakers, who honestly have a knack for turning overlooked players into legitimate stars. This could be a game-changer for them, and I think fans are going to love this discussion. Right?

David

Well, let's get into it. The big news, as reported by league insider Chris Haynes, is that the Milwaukee Bucks unexpectedly rescinded their qualifying offer to promising young guard Ryan Rollins. This move instantly makes Rollins an unrestricted free agent. It's being widely interpreted as an almost deliberate gift, straight to the Los Angeles Lakers. It really does open up a unique window for them, doesn't it?

Ema

Oh, it's definitely a gift, David! I mean, imagine: one moment you're tied to a team, and the next, you're free to choose your destiny. For Rollins, that's huge. But for the Lakers, it's like a cosmic alignment. They've been on the lookout for a player just like him—someone with raw, untapped potential they can polish—and now, he's just... available. It's remarkable timing, I think. What do you make of it?

David

That's an interesting question, Ema, and it ties directly into the Lakers' recent history. They've built a strong reputation for scouting and developing undrafted talent, turning players like Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves into key contributors. However, they also had a rather significant misstep with Scotty Pippen Jr., an undrafted free agent they initially developed in their G League affiliate. It was a learning moment, perhaps?

Ema

Ah, the Scotty Pippen Jr. story! Yes, that's right. It's a classic 'one that got away' tale, isn't it? The Lakers put in the foundational work, he spent two seasons with their G League team, but then, um, the Memphis Grizzlies swooped in, signed him long-term, and he just exploded! He’s been averaging about 10.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds, which really highlights what the Lakers missed out on. It's a bit of a sting, I imagine!

David

Precisely. Pippen Jr.'s rise in Memphis, also contributing 1.4 steals and 1.2 three-pointers per game, has really underscored the Lakers' regret. It's a painful reminder of a talent they nurtured but ultimately couldn't retain. This, then, is why the Ryan Rollins situation is so significant; it's a genuine chance to right that past wrong and, perhaps more importantly, fill a very specific void in their current roster. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Ema

So, speaking of this, here's where Ryan Rollins steps in as the potential hero of our story! He's only 22, and he showed incredible signs of improvement with Milwaukee in the 2024-25 season. He played a career-high 56 games, starting 19, and quietly became a stat-stuffing contributor. It’s almost like he’s following Pippen Jr.’s blueprint for development, wouldn't you say? It's quite poetic, actually!

David

The numbers certainly suggest a similar trajectory, Ema. In his final 13 appearances last season, Rollins averaged 10.8 points, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers in just 24.4 minutes per game. He even outscored Gabe Vincent in 15 games, despite playing significantly fewer minutes. This small sample size is intriguing, yes, but it does make the market somewhat competitive, I think. Other teams will notice this, too.

Ema

Right, a small sample size can be tricky, that’s true. It's like seeing a few really sunny days in a row and thinking, 'Oh, it’s summer!' when it’s still spring, isn't it? But those per-36 minute projections—15.3 points, 4.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds—they really paint a picture of what he could become with more playing time. The Lakers need to act fast, because other teams will absolutely see this potential too, driving up his price. It's a race!

David

Indeed, it sounds like a race against time. If the Lakers can secure him on a low-cost deal, Rollins could become their ideal backup point guard and a long-term replacement for Gabe Vincent, who is 29 and entering the final year of his contract. Vincent offers significant two-way value, of course, but Rollins, at 22, presents a younger, more malleable talent for their future. It's about future-proofing the roster, really.

Ema

It's a really smart strategic move, David. Imagine Rollins developing under JJ Redick's new player development system. He's described as a competitive young player with intriguing two-way potential, and those per-36 numbers, like hitting 40.8% from three-point range, suggest he offers value in every phase of the game. He could really blossom into something special for them, couldn't he? It's exciting to think about!

David

The Lakers should definitely be proactive in their pursuit. While the market might push his salary slightly above the veteran minimum, the potential reward of securing a player with Pippen Jr.-like upside on a team-friendly contract is immense. It's about investing wisely in their player development pipeline and, ultimately, securing their backcourt for years to come. That's the long-term vision they need to consider, in my view.

Ema

Exactly! It’s all about seizing this moment. For the Lakers, this isn’t just about filling a roster spot; it's about finding that next diamond in the rough, just like they did with Caruso and Reaves. Rollins could absolutely be that player, and if they play their cards right, they'll turn a past regret into a future success story. Here's hoping they make the right move!

David

That brings us to the end of today's discussion on the potential Lakers-Rollins connection. It's certainly a fascinating opportunity for Los Angeles to rectify a past mistake and secure a truly promising young talent for their future. Thank you for joining me, Ema, for this insightful conversation today on Goose Pod.

Ema

My pleasure, David! We hope you enjoyed our breakdown of this exciting NBA news. Thank you so much for listening to Goose Pod, and we'll catch you next time for more insights and, hopefully, a few more delightful surprises!

Of course. Here is a comprehensive summary of the news article, formatted as requested. ### **Summary of "Bucks just gifted Lakers perfect opportunity to undo Scotty Pippen Jr. mistake"** **News Metadata** * **Article Title:** Bucks just gifted Lakers perfect opportunity to undo Scotty Pippen Jr. mistake * **Publisher:** FanSided (lakeshowlife.com) * **Author:** Maxwell Ogden * **Publication Date:** July 1, 2025 * **Note on Timeframe:** The article and its sources are dated in the future (July 2025) and present a speculative scenario based on player developments during the hypothetical 2024-25 NBA season. --- ### **Executive Summary** This opinion piece from FanSided argues that the Los Angeles Lakers have been "gifted" a chance to rectify their past mistake of losing guard Scotty Pippen Jr. by signing Ryan Rollins. The Milwaukee Bucks unexpectedly made Rollins an unrestricted free agent by rescinding his qualifying offer. The author posits that Rollins, a 22-year-old guard, showed significant improvement and two-way potential during the 2024-25 season, mirroring the development trajectory of Pippen Jr. The article strongly recommends that the Lakers proactively sign Rollins on a low-cost deal, viewing him as an ideal backup point guard and a potential long-term replacement for Gabe Vincent. --- ### **Key Findings and Recommendations** #### **1. The Opportunity: Ryan Rollins Becomes a Free Agent** The central news event is that the Milwaukee Bucks have rescinded the qualifying offer for guard Ryan Rollins, making him an unrestricted free agent. This information is attributed to a tweet from league insider Chris Haynes, dated July 1, 2025. This move is framed as an "unexpected gift" to the Lakers. #### **2. The Context: The "Scotty Pippen Jr. Mistake"** The article establishes a narrative around the Lakers' recent player development history: * **Success Stories:** The Lakers have a strong track record of developing undrafted talent, citing the success of **Alex Caruso** and **Austin Reaves**. * **The "Mistake":** They failed to retain **Scotty Pippen Jr.**, an undrafted free agent they developed in the G League. The Memphis Grizzlies signed him, and he has since become a key contributor for them. * **Pippen Jr.'s Performance in Memphis:** To quantify the loss, his stats are provided: * **Points:** 10.5 per game * **Assists:** 4.5 per game * **Rebounds:** 3.3 per game * **Steals:** 1.4 per game * **Three-Pointers:** 1.2 per game #### **3. The Case for Ryan Rollins** Rollins is presented as the ideal candidate to fill the void left by Pippen Jr. and become the Lakers' next developmental success story. His performance in the hypothetical 2024-25 season is highlighted as evidence of his potential. **Key Statistics and Performance Metrics (2024-25 Season):** * **Overall:** Played a career-high 56 games, with 19 starts for Milwaukee. * **Strong Finish (Final 13 Games):** The article emphasizes a late-season surge as a sign of his improvement. * **Averages:** 10.8 points, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers. * **Minutes:** Achieved in just 24.4 minutes per game. * **Scoring Comparison:** Rollins scored 10+ points in 15 games, only two fewer than Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, who played an average of 6.6 more minutes per game. * **Per-36 Minute Projections:** To illustrate his potential with more playing time, his projected per-36 minute averages are provided: * **Points:** 15.3 * **Rebounds:** 4.7 * **Assists:** 4.6 * **Steals:** 1.8 * **Blocks:** 0.7 * **Three-Pointers:** 2.2 * **Shooting Splits:** .487 (Field Goal %), .408 (3-Point %), .800 (Free Throw %) #### **4. Strategic Fit and Recommendation** The article concludes with a strong recommendation for the Lakers to pursue Rollins. * **Recommendation:** The Lakers "should be proactive" in signing Rollins. * **Potential Role:** He could serve as a backup point guard and develop into an ideal replacement for **Gabe Vincent**, who is 29 and entering the final year of his contract. * **Player Profile:** Rollins is described as a "competitive young player with intriguing two-way potential" and a "malleable talent" who would fit well in new coach **JJ Redick's** player development system. --- ### **Risks and Financial Considerations** * **Risk:** The author acknowledges that the impressive statistics are from a **"small sample size"** (the final 13 games of the season) and may not be sustainable. * **Financials:** * The Lakers should aim to sign him on a **"low-cost deal."** * However, the market for Rollins "could be somewhat competitive," potentially driving his salary **"slightly above the veteran minimum."**

Read original at FanSided →

The Los Angeles Lakers have become one of the best teams in the NBA at scouting talent in the most unlikely of places. Los Angeles has made a habit out of utilizing the undrafted free agent pool to bring in players with untapped potential they appear to be uniquely qualified to develop.Unfortunately, for as remarkable as the success of Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves was and is, there's a Scotty Pippen Jr.

sized hole in the rotation.Pippen signed with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent and spent two seasons with their G League affiliate. Unfortunately, the Memphis Grizzlies were quicker to lock him up long-term and have since been direct beneficiaries of his meteoric rise to prominence.Thankfully for Los Angeles, the Milwaukee Bucks have provided an unexpected gift in a player who could become the next Pippen: Ryan Rollins.

Milwaukee Bucks are rescinding the qualifying offer of promising young guard Ryan Rollins and he will now become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/0U89YAiLcV— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2025After having to watch Pippen average 10.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.

4 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made in Memphis, Los Angeles might have his long-awaited replacement.Ryan Rollins could be the next Scotty Pippen Jr. for the LakersRollins, 22, showed remarkable signs of improvement with Milwaukee in 2024-25. He played a career-high 56 games in the NBA, starting 19, and quietly emerged as a well-rounded contributor capable of stuffing the stat sheet.

That includes his final 13 appearances in 2024-25, during which he averaged 10.8 points, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in just 24.4 minutes per game.A small sample size isn't enough to justify a large contract, but it does give Los Angeles reason to explore his potential on a low-cost deal.

Rollins is a competitive young player with intriguing two-way potential and a growing list of quality NBA performances.In 2024-25, he scored at least 10 points in 15 different games—only two fewer than Gabe Vincent, who averaged 6.6 more minutes per contest.The market for Rollins could be somewhat competitive, thus driving his salary slightly above the veteran minimum.

If the Lakers can sign him for cheap, however, they'd be bringing in a backup point guard who could develop into Vincent's ideal replacement.Vincent provides significant two-way value as a 3-and-D guard, of course, but the 29-year-old is entering the final season of his current deal.As such, the Lakers should be proactive in their attempts to sign a player who has shown promise similar to what Pippen brings to the table.

Rollins offers value in every phase of the game and is young enough to be a malleable talent in JJ Redick's player development system.Per-36 averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.2 three-point field goals on .487/.408/.800 shooting may only scratch the surface of the type of player Rollins could become.

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