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Whereas some NBA teams utilize two-way contracts as a way of rolling the dice on different prospects, the Lakers are using the tool to invest in a somewhat known Los Angeles commodity.
Travis Wear spent much of the last two seasons with the South Bay Lakers, all the while acclimating himself to the big league club’s system and overall culture. This past season, Wear averaged 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds before Los Angeles signed him to two ten-day contracts, then for the rest of the season, in March.
The forward appeared in 17 games for the Lakers and his ability to contribute right away and fill in where needed was indicative of the fact that he played under the organization’s umbrella for the past two seasons. As Wear prepares for the 2018-19 campaign, he’ll be doing so as an official extension of the Lakers’ big league roster.
Cementing a more formal role for Wear (but still similar to the capacity in which he served last season), the Lakers have signed the 27 year old to their second two-way contract. This allows him to be rewarded for his loyalty and rest assured he has a financial commitment that rivals what he could have earned overseas.
With the addition of LeBron James and a slew of other veterans this offseason, it’s clear Los Angeles is set on competing. As a veteran of four professional seasons, Wear is mature and can remain humble and prepared for any and all opportunities that come his way, whenever the Lakers call upon him. Signing him to this kind of pact is a smart basketball decision by a contender that recognizes his familiarity with the organization and the importance of putting the proper depth in place, now seventeen players across.