Former Laker Leaves NBA With Overseas Contract

Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Dylan Windler is reportedly heading to the NBL.
Jan 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dylan Windler (20) controls the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Jan 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dylan Windler (20) controls the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the news cycle this week, but it doesn’t involve anyone currently on the roster.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, former Lakers forward Dylan Windler is signing with the Perth Wildcats in the NBL in Australia. The former Cleveland Cavaliers first-round pick spent eight games with Los Angeles last season after he signed a two-way deal with them in January.

Lakers News: Dylan Windler Signs Overseas Contract

Windler didn’t get much playing time with the Lakers (3.5 minutes per game), but it was a good experience for the former first-round pick. Windler played a few games with LA’s NBA G League affiliate (South Bay) last season.

With South Bay, Windler averaged 11 points and six rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game. The 27-year-old forward almost finished the regular season with LA, but they waived him in early March.

However, Windler wasn’t waiting long for his next opportunity as the Atlanta Hawks signed him to a two-way contract. Before Windler signed with the Lakers in January, he spent time with the New York Knicks and played for their G-League affiliate (West Chester).

The former Belmont standout could never find his footing in the NBA after the Cavaliers took him with the 26th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Windler played 101 games in the NBA, including 84 with the Cavaliers.

Windler averaged a modest 3.2 points per game on 42.5 percent shooting from the field and 34.7 percent from beyond the arc in his NBA career.

That said, the former Lakers forward will try to reignite his basketball career in the NBL, one of the best basketball leagues in the world. If Windler has a good season with Perth, he could return to the NBA.

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