The hidden gem that helped Lakers find undrafted steals like Austin Reaves

Throughout the past few years, the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best in the NBA in terms of finding undrafted gems who end up becoming key contributors in the league. Alex Caruso helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title. Austin Reaves is on the verge of a hefty pay-day. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff, while no longer with the organization, have developed into rotation quality players.

But who is the person who discovered these undrafted talents? Most would probably point to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and the scouting staff, but one of the key figures behind the scenes is South Bay general manager Nick Mazzella.

In the immediacy, Mazzella has been key in constructing the current South Bay roster, a roster that ended up being one game away from reaching the G League Finals. The team finished with the best record in the G League Western Conference standings at 26-10 and set a franchise mark for most consecutive wins at 12. And for South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie, Mazzella doesn’t get enough recognition for his basketball mind.

“Nick Mazzella not winning [G League] Executive of the Year and not even being in the top-three of Executive of the Year is a shame. The guy is one of the best evaluators of talent and scout in the entire G League,” Guthrie said following South Bay’s opening-round playoff win. “And his track record speaks for itself. Austin Reaves, Alex Caruso, Scotty Pippen Jr., Jay Huff.

“I can keep naming all of our two-ways and all of these, but it speaks to the team that Nick Mazzella has helped create.”

Mazzella has been with the Lakers organization such 2013 when he was general manager of the then, LA D-Fenders. He’s held various roles over the past several years, but he’s currently GM of South Bay and senior director of pro personnel.

He’s had a role in acquiring the Lakers’ two-way contract players this season in Nick Smith Jr., Drew Timme and Chris Mañon. Both Smith and Timme have helped the Lakers win important games this season, and with both Reaves and Luka Doncic sidelined due to injury, Smith is getting his shot once again.

As far as the non-NBA players on South Bay’s current roster, RJ Davis, Arthur Kaluma and Malik Williams are all candidates to potentially earn call-ups for next season. Williams already has NBA experience while Davis and Kaluma were both in training camp with the Lakers.

The quartet of Reaves, Caruso, Pippen and Huff all got their start with the Lakers on two-way contracts. With teams often rotating two-way contract slots each season, the Lakers should be relieved that they have someone like Mazzella to help them identify potential talent.

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