Los Angeles Lakers guard makes unexpected exit as departure is confirmed

The Los Angeles Lakers have experienced an up-and-down season, though recent performances indicate that the tide may be turning in their favor.

Los Angeles has secured three consecutive victories and five wins in its past eight contests overall, bouncing back effectively after a short three-game losing streak.

That positive run has lifted the Lakers to a 37-24 record, positioning them sixth in an extremely competitive Western Conference playoff race.

Meanwhile, the franchise has continued to rely on its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, to cultivate young prospects and provide additional depth when needed.

However, one of those developmental contributors has now opted for a surprising change.

Lakers G League Guard Leaves for Overseas Move

On Wednesday, South Bay officially announced that guard Augustas Marciulionis has departed the organization through a buyout agreement in order to pursue a professional opportunity abroad.

As first reported by BasketNews, the 23-year-old will head back to Lithuania to sign with his hometown club, Rytas Vilnius.

Marciulionis, son of Hall of Famer Sarunas Marciulionis, featured in 29 G League games this season. During that span, he averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting an efficient 48.5 percent from the field and an impressive 45.3 percent from beyond the arc.

His standout performance came in mid-January, when he erupted for a season-best 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including two makes from three-point range. He also contributed five assists and two steals in that matchup against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

As the campaign wore on, though, his role gradually diminished.

The Lakers began assigning two-way guards Nick Smith Jr. and Chris Manon to South Bay more frequently. In addition, NBA rookie Bronny James saw regular minutes in the G League, creating a crowded backcourt rotation that ultimately factored into Marciulionis’ decision to move on.

Speaking on the 1-ON-1 show, via BasketNews, Marciulionis admitted he had hoped for a change sooner but continued to wait for a larger opportunity.

“I was hoping for a change a bit earlier, but I still held onto the possibility,” he explained. “We had Kobe Bufkin, a former 15th draft pick, who later got called up by the Lakers to the main team. We had a lot of guards, and I came off the bench.”

He added that he was waiting for the chance to consistently start and demonstrate his abilities over a longer stretch.

“I waited for the chance to play regularly in the starting five and show what I could do. I had a few good games, but it wasn’t enough to get serious interest from them.”

South Bay Retain Depth Despite Exit

Marciulionis’ departure represents the second in-season buyout from the South Bay roster. Just last month, center Kylor Kelley also left the team to explore a professional opportunity in the Philippines.

Following Kelley’s exit, the Lakers bolstered their frontcourt by acquiring former top prospect Malik Williams from the College Park Skyhawks. In exchange, South Bay sent out a 2026 first-round pick — originally routed from Rip City via Rio Grande Valley and Osceola — along with a 2027 first-round selection.

At this stage, it seems unlikely that the organization will immediately replace Marciulionis. The primary reason is the substantial guard depth already in place.

Nick Smith Jr. continues to anchor the backcourt and recently poured in 28 points during Wednesday’s victory over the Oklahoma City Blue. Meanwhile, RJ Davis has delivered steady performances throughout the year.

With Chris Manon and Bronny James periodically featuring, and additional guard options such as Tevian Jones, Tyrese Hunter, and Ethan Taylor available, South Bay remains well equipped in the backcourt.

Despite these midseason roster adjustments, the team’s momentum has not slowed. South Bay is currently riding a seven-game winning streak and has climbed near the summit of the Western Conference standings.

With a 17-8 record, the Lakers hold the third seed, level with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and just half a game behind the conference-leading Mexico City Capitanes.

Given their depth and strong form, South Bay appears well positioned to mount a serious push as the G League season progresses, even after Marciulionis’ unexpected departure.