Augustas Marciulionis Explains Decision to Join Lakers Instead of Bucks
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Guard Augustas Marciulionis will head to Southern California after accepting an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, turning down a similar opportunity from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The undrafted rookie from Saint Mary’s said the choice came down to relationships and clarity surrounding his role.
“For some reason, L.A. just felt like the right choice,” Marciulionis told BasketNews.com. “There were more people my agent and I knew and trusted, and we understood the situation better there.”
Los Angeles reached out several times during the pre-draft process, according to the 22-year-old, showing what he called “a lot of attention” both in interviews and during contract talks. The Bucks showed comparable interest, he said, but familiarity with contacts inside the Lakers organization ultimately tipped the scales.
The Exhibit 10 agreement guarantees Marciulionis a spot in Lakers training camp this fall and allows the team to convert the deal to a two-way contract or assign him to the South Bay Lakers of the G League while retaining his rights.
Marciulionis likely would have heard his name called on draft night if not for a broken foot suffered shortly before the event. He acknowledged the timing “couldn’t have been worse,” but added that his rehabilitation is nearly complete and he expects to be ready for full basketball activities by camp.
Los Angeles has frequently mined value from late-round picks and undrafted players, most notably Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves. The franchise traded up twice in June to land Kentucky’s Adou Thiero in the second round and then moved quickly to secure Marciulionis once the draft concluded.
The 6-3 Lithuanian averaged 11.0 points and 5.4 assists as a senior at Saint Mary’s, helping the Gaels reach the West Coast Conference tournament final on March 11, 2025, in Las Vegas.
While a long-term roster spot is not guaranteed, Marciulionis said he values entering an environment “that believes in me” and is prepared to prove he deserves a full NBA contract.
Source: LakersNation.com
