Lakers Summer League Breakdown
The draft is complete, we’re currently in free agency, and the weather is heating up, which can mean one thing. The real NBA sickos like us out there are getting what we’ve waited a year for; NBA Summer League.
It’s a time when teams’ youngest and brightest can show what they’re made of against their peers. Many of the new faces in the Lakers’ organization certainly have something to prove.
The Los Angeles Lakers begin Summer League this Saturday as they kick off the California Classic against the Sacramento Kings. They’ll battle against teams close to home before traveling to Las Vegas for what many consider the “real” Summer League, where all 30 teams will compete.
Between the team’s two new draft picks, a glimpse of a JJ Redick run team, and some of the moves made along the margins in UDFA, here’s what you should look for these next few weekends.
Summer Lakers !! pic.twitter.com/nm88LHVYhp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 2, 2024
The Lakers Draft Picks
If you have not heard, the Lakers drafted LeBron James’ son, Bronny James. I don’t blame you; media outlets haven’t covered it much. What has seemingly been forgotten is that they also landed the steal of the draft in Dalton Knecht.
Knecht contributed nearly 22 PPG at Tennessee, shooting a staggering 40% from deep. His ability on offense to get to his spot either on or off the ball and knock down a shot is pretty impressive and should be on display under JJ Redick’s implemented system.
Bronny, on the other hand, didn’t have the flashy college numbers on account of his health emergency, which derailed the rhythm of his season. The young guard possesses many skills, from his three-point shot to POA defense to his ability to put pressure on the rim.
Who knows, we might even get to see him handling the ball with JHS out. Hopefully, with an almost full off-season to shake the rust, Bronny will play at a high level.
JJ Adjacent System
Since hired as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach, rumors swirled around about whether the newly minted leader would coach the Summer League.
In this week’s press conference introducing Bronny and Dalton Knecht, Redick put the rumors to rest. He mentioned that despite speculation, the Summer League head coaching responsibilities would fall to South Bay Lakers HC Dane Johnson.
However, Redick certainly didn’t say that he would hand it off. He stated, “I will be heavily involved in practices; I will also be involved in some capacity during the games, during film, all of that.”
There is hope that the Lakers faithful will be able to see a small portion of Redick’s vision. Looking at the Summer League roster, what Redick has discussed will seem perfect for the group.
Off-ball movement, off-ball screening, movement shooting, and high-IQ basketball would all be refreshing to see, regardless of the stage or the players, as long as they’re in Purple and Gold.
Lakers announce Summer League roster pic.twitter.com/Zn9KbDc6Tu
— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) July 2, 2024
The UDFAs and Others
Knecht and James are the obvious draws for this Lakers Summer League roster, but those two aren’t the only ones to watch.
The team will have a few returners from last season. Colin Castleton and Maxwell Lewis will play, as their 2023 running mate JHS will miss action, still recovering from injury.
The team, as usual, was fairly active after this year’s draft. Picking up players who went undrafted is standard for teams to fill out their Summer League rosters and has produced some Laker greats like Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso. This year, the team may have just found another gem.
The Lakers picked up six new undrafted players: Armel Traore, Blake Hinson, Sean East, Quincy Olivari, Grayson Murphy, and Mohamed Diarra. Blake Hinson, out of Pitt, is the player to watch in this group.
Last season with the Panthers, Hinson scored 18.5 PPG on 42% shooting from three on 8.5 3PA/G. JJ Redick is the only other ACC player to take that many threes with that high of a percentage since ’83.
He shot 44% on guarded 3PA and 48% on spot-up 3’s. Recently comparing himself to Klay Thompson, the Lakers have seemingly surrounded JJ with even more young shooting.
You guys have to watch these Blake Hinson highlights. We’re just surrounding JJ with so much young shooting.
6’ 8” 230lbs
18.5 ppg
42.1% from 3 pic.twitter.com/tnAtDVHNoB— RC Nazemi (@NazemiRC) June 29, 2024
While we have yet to determine who is going to start or if Redick will be on the bench or not, we do know that between Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Maxwell Lewis, Blake Hinson, and Colin Castleton, there will be fireworks.
Whether it’s in San Fransisco or Las Vegas, expect this group of young Lakers to bring the LakeShow wherever they go.
