Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Getty
Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka looks on before a game against the Chicago Bulls.
Former Los Angeles Lakers prospect Augustas Marčiulionis opened up about his decision to leave the organization’s G League system and return to Europe, suggesting the experience with the South Bay Lakers lacked the competitive urgency he was seeking.
In a candid interview on the 1-ON-1 show, the Lithuanian guard explained why he ultimately chose to sign with Rytas Vilnius, prioritizing the emotional intensity and fan atmosphere he felt was missing in the G League.
“In Vilnius, I could play for a team that truly cares,” Marčiulionis said. “I missed that feeling – the shivers and excitement the night before a game. When you care, you feel it. In the G League, the priorities are different.”
“So, when Rytas offered me a contract, I didn’t hesitate. I missed real emotions.”
Lakers Prospect Waited for NBA Opportunity
Marčiulionis said he initially delayed his decision to leave the United States because he hoped the Lakers organization would eventually give him an opportunity similar to one of his teammates.
“I was hoping for a change a bit earlier, but I still held onto the possibility,” Marčiulionis said.
He pointed to fellow South Bay guard Kobe Bufkin, who earned a promotion after a dominant stretch in the G League.
“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,” Marčiulionis said.
Bufkin eventually impressed the organization with elite scoring numbers, averaging 24.7 points on 50/43/90 shooting splits, along with 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.7 minutes per game.
The Lakers later signed Bufkin to a two-year contract with a team option, reinforcing Marčiulionis’ belief that an NBA opportunity could eventually come.
Limited Role With South Bay Lakers
Marčiulionis never secured the same opportunity.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
“I waited for the chance to play regularly in the starting five and show what I could do,” Marčiulionis said. “I had a few good games, but it wasn’t enough to get serious interest from them.”
With about a month remaining in the G League season, Marčiulionis said his agent informed him that Rytas Vilnius was still interested.
“Finally, with a month left in the G League season, my agent told me that Rytas had contacted me,” he said. “I realized that even if something changed in America during that last month, miracles probably wouldn’t happen.”
In Europe, the season would still offer several more months of meaningful games.
Injury Cost Marčiulionis His NBA Draft Opportunity
Augustas Marciulionis, Lakers
GettyWest Coast Conference Commissioner Stu Jackson (L) presents Augustas Marciulionis of the Saint Mary’s Gaels his most outstanding player trophy after the championship game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
An unfortunate injury during the pre-draft process complicated Marčiulionis’ NBA journey.
The former Saint Mary’s Gaels men’s basketball star had been preparing to showcase his skills at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a key event where NBA scouts evaluate senior prospects.
“The injury happened at the worst possible time,” Marčiulionis said.
He recalled suffering a broken foot during an endurance drill at the camp.
“On the first day, we did some endurance exercises. I pushed off my left leg, landed on my right foot, and felt something explode,” he said. “The first step didn’t hurt much, but the second one did. I immediately knew something was wrong.”
The injury prevented him from fully participating in workouts and contributed to him going undrafted.
Lakers Still Offered Opportunity
Despite going undrafted, Marčiulionis received Exhibit 10 contract offers from the Milwaukee Bucks and the Lakers.
He chose Los Angeles, believing the organization would provide the best opportunity to develop.
While his playing opportunity never materialized at the NBA level, Marčiulionis did praise the Lakers’ medical staff and coaches for helping him recover from his injury.
“My experience with the main Lakers team was excellent,” he said. “Top-level medical staff and coaches – they fixed everything, so I no longer feel the injury.”
Marčiulionis Describes Unique G League Environment
Ultimately, Marčiulionis said the structure of the G League itself contributed to his decision to return to Europe.
“The league itself is strange because you play mainly for yourself,” he admitted.
“It’s funny – when the coach spoke to us, he said, ‘You know what’s special about this league? No one in this room wants to be here. You want to play in the NBA, and we want to coach at a higher level.’”
According to Marčiulionis, that atmosphere contrasts sharply with European basketball.
“The G League lets you showcase your skills and get better contracts,” he said. “But winning or losing isn’t the priority. There’s no fan base, and few people care.”
That difference ultimately drove his decision to return home and continue his career in Lithuania.