Wenyen Gabriel signs new two-year deal with Los Angeles Lakers

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On3 image — Photo by Barry Gossage | NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers scrambled to find different options to fill their roster during this dreadful season. After getting his chance with the team on a two-way deal earlier this year, Wenyen Gabriel has now found a permanent NBA home with Los Angeles. The team announced on Friday afternoon that they officially signed the 6’9 forward to a standard NBA contract, converting him from his original two-way deal.

OFFICIAL: Congrats to @WenyenGabriel on signing a standard NBA contract with the #LakeShow after originally joining on a two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/xMFjAlxXA0
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 8, 2022

Since going undrafted after leaving Kentucky back in 2018, Gabriel has bounced around the NBA. He started his career in Sacramento and made stops with the Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and LA Clippers over the next two years. That’s included three seasons in the G-League where he averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

The Lakers signed Gabriel to a two-way contract back on March 1st. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds on 48.1% shooting in 17 games for LA. That included a 17-point game where he shot 7-8 from the field and 3-3 from deep. That flash of potential to end the season undoubtedly helped LA decide to retain him moving forward. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the Lakers will have a team option on Gabriel for the 2022-23 season.

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Gabriel spent two seasons in Lexington from 2016 to 2018. The Sudan native averaged 5.7 points and 5.1 boards in 75 career games as a Wildcat. Gabriel’s relationship with UK and his former head coach since he left has been tense at best following a pair of social media incidents in 2019 and 2020.

Despite Gabriel’s success, Los Angeles has won just four games since the start of March. LeBron James has already been shut down for the season with Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook likely to follow. All of that combined will obviously give Gabriel plenty of opportunities to build on the end of his 2022 season. The Lakers’ final two games will come on Friday against OKC and Sunday in Denver.

For more updates on former Wildcats in the league, check out KSR’s ‘Cats in the NBA tab.