North Carolina Tar Heels legend RJ Davis put together a solid preseason effort with the Los Angeles Lakers, but it wasn’t enough to land him a spot on the NBA team’s final opening-day roster.
Davis was one of four players to get waived in the Lakers’ final round of cuts on Saturday, joining Augustas Marčiulionis, Anton Watson and Nate Williams.
Davis had the best preseason of these players, averaging 8.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game through five preseason appearances with Los Angeles.
Davis, the 2024 ACC Player of the Year, signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers after going undrafted in the 2025 selection process. Given his solid performance in the preseason, Los Angeles will likely sign him to the team’s G-League affilite.
Davis, a 6-foot point guard, averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game over his five-year collegiate career with the Tar Heels. He averaged an ACC-leading 21.2 points per game in his fourth campaign, shooting 42.8% from the field and 39.8% from behind the 3-point arc.
Davis finished his UNC career as the second leading scorer in program history with 2,725 points, trailing only Tyler Hansbrough (2,872).
The Lakers notched a 1-5 record in the preseason, capped off by Friday night’s 117-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The team now turns its attention toward a highly anticipated season opener against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors this coming Tuesday.
LeBron James will miss the start of the 2025-26 NBA season with sciatica on his right side. The 40-year-old NBA veteran is reportedly expected to make his return sometime in November.
Bronny James missed the Lakers’ preseason finale against the Kings, listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury. Center Jaxson Hayes is also day-to-day with a right wrist contusion he suffered in Friday’s preseason matchup.
