Lakers sign Armel Traore and Blake Hinson to two-way contracts

The Lakers have added two undrafted free agents to their roster following the 2024 NBA Draft.

Now that the 2024 NBA Draft is officially over, there are a number of undrafted players who are free agents and free to sign with a team of their choice.

The Los Angeles Lakers, of course, took Dalton Knecht, a sharpshooter from the University of Tennessee, with the No. 17 pick. He was expected to go much higher in the draft, and therefore, many experts feel they got an absolute steal.

Then on Thursday, as just about everyone expected, they took Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, with the No. 55 pick.

Shortly afterward, Los Angeles signed Armel Traore and Blake Hinson to two-way contracts.

Traore, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound power forward, played for Blois in France this season. He’s a capable rebounder and strong finisher around the basket, and he reportedly possesses a robust 7-foot-3 wingspan. However, his 3-point shooting efficiency and volume need lots of work.

Hinson is a bulky 6-foot-7, 235-pound guard who spent the last two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. He shot 42.1% from 3-point range on 7.9 attempts a game this year, and overall, he averaged 18.5 points a game on 45.4% overall shooting.

The 24-year-old had to redshirt two of his college seasons due to an unspecified medical issue.

France’s Armel Traore had predraft workout with Thunder

France’s Armel Traore had a predraft workout with Thunder.

The calendar has flipped to June, which means NBA teams are intensifying their predraft process and hosting players for workouts and visits. The 2024 NBA draft will take place from June 26-27.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this year’s class with a sole draft pick of the No. 12 selection. OKC was gifted the free lottery pick via the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder will host several meetings with draft prospects in the coming weeks. This includes players outside the lottery range as OKC will likely seek to add undrafted free agents or even buy back into the second round if it likes someone enough.

One possibility is France’s Armel Traore. He posted on social media he had a predraft workout with the Thunder.

The 21-year-old has spent the last three seasons overseas in the LNB Pro A. It is the top-tier professional basketball league in France. He played for Blois last season.

He also spent time with the Metropolitan 92 last season, where he was teammates with Victor Wembanyama.

In 33 games last season, Traore averaged 10.8 points on 54.1% shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He shot 26.2% from 3 on 1.8 attempts. At 6-foot-8, 210 pounds, he has solid size for a forward.

Traore is a potential undrafted free agent target. He can also possibly be a late second-round selection. He’d join the Thunder’s summer league squad and possibly be added to the G League’s OKC Blue for next season.

A full list of 2024 NBA draft prospects that have worked out or visited the Thunder in the predraft process can be viewed here.

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