Lakers, Dylan Windler Agree to Two-Way Contract amid 4-Game Losing Streak
Adam WellsJanuary 6, 2024
Scott Audette/NBAE via Getty Images
Needing a spark amid their recent struggles, the Los Angeles Lakers are signing G League star Dylan Windler to a two-way contract.
Windler’s agents, Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of Priority Sports, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the 27-year-old has agreed to a deal with the Lakers.
Per Anthony F. Irwin of the Lakers Lounge podcast, the Lakers are expected to waive Alex Fudge to make room for Windler.
Windler began this season with the New York Knicks. He split time between the NBA club and Westchester Knicks in the G League before being waived by New York on Dec. 13.
Westchester acquired Windler two days after he was waived. He was putting up big numbers in just three games for the Knicks, averaging 15.0 points and 14.3 rebounds per contest.
The highlight of Windler’s season came on Friday night when he scored 22 points and set a G League single-game record with 33 rebounds in a 128-121 win over the Delaware Blue Coats.
NBA G League @nbagleagueA historic night for Dylan Windler âïž
With a career-high 33 REB, he now sets the new record for most boards recorded in a single-game in G League history! @wcknicks pic.twitter.com/7cgWP165cJ
After a successful four-year college career at Belmont, Windler was the No. 26 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2019 NBA draft. He spent three seasons with the Cavs and G League Cleveland Charge.
Windler’s most productive NBA season was his rookie year. He averaged 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 31 appearances.
One potential option for Windler with the Lakers is using him as a small-ball four. He will give head coach Darvin Ham more lineup versatility, though how much playing time he gets with the NBA club is still to be determined.
The Lakers are looking for all the help they can get right now amid an ongoing four-game losing streak. They have fallen to 11th place in the Western Conference standings with a 17-19 record.
