The Los Angeles Lakers enter the Las Vegas Summer League with pressure to succeed—especially with all eyes being on a second-round rookie. The purple and gold went 0-3 in the California Classic, most recently giving up an 11-0 run to the Miami Heat and losing 80-76. Despite the losses, some players have shown plenty of potential in key areas. They’ll be the ones to watch as LA embarks on a three-game slate—and potentially beyond—in Sin City starting tonight.
Previewing the Lakers Las Vegas Summer League
Players to Watch
Most Laker fans will be paying attention to the Lakers’ two drafted rookies—Dalton Knecht and Bronny James—who have had their highlights and lowlights on display so far.
Knecht is leading the Lakers in scoring with 14.7 points per game, but his efficiency is suspect. He has shot 30% from the field, 26% from three and 73% from the free-throw line. Wednesday’s game against Miami marked Knecht’s best performance of the summer so far: 20 points (14 in the first half), nine rebounds and one assist.
Bronny, meanwhile, has faced plenty of criticism for his lack of production in LA’s first three games. He averaged 3.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game have done little to convince fans and media of his true talent. However, James Jr has shown he’s solid defensively. He leads the Lakers in steals per game with 1.5, and displayed excellent pressure both on the perimeter and in the paint.
Bronny James’ Defense was on display tonight vs the Heat:pic.twitter.com/RihGDkabjM
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) July 11, 2024
A couple more Lakers to look for are Colin Castleton and Blake Hinson, who are both on two-way contracts. Castleton, like Knecht, also shined against the Heat on Wednesday. The 24-year-old big man tallied 18 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and two assists. He leads the team in rebounds per game (10.3) while scoring 13 points per game on 46% shooting. Hinson—one of the Lakers’ undrafted rookies—impressed in his Summer League debut with 17 points on 5/7 shooting from three-point range, proving why he was heralded as one of the best shooters in this year’s class. However, Hinson went ice cold the following two games, shooting 2/10 against the Warriors and 1/8 against the Heat—all from three.
Lakers Vegas Summer League Opponents
Houston Rockets: July 12, 4:30 PM PT (ESPN, ESPN+)
The Lakers will open their stint in Vegas with a matchup against the Houston Rockets, who are headlined by 2023 Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore and this year’s third overall pick, Reed Sheppard. Both players are essential to the Rockets’ core and hope to show out in Summer League. Besides attempting to contain those two, the Lakers may also have to worry about AJ Griffin, a 2022 first-round pick who was acquired from the Hawks in a three-team deal on draft night.
Boston Celtics: July 15, 7:30 PM (NBA TV, ESPN+)
Following Houston, LA will take on the dreaded Boston Celtics. Fresh off of passing the Lakers in championships, Boston’s Summer League squad looks to come out of the gate with surefire aggression. The C’s have five players on their title-winning roster playing in Las Vegas—JD Davison, Drew Peterson, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh and Jaden Springer. They also drafted two rookies in big man Baylor Scheierman and wing Anton Watson, and are bringing in two solid undrafted players—Tristan Enaruna (Cleveland State) and Jaelen House (New Mexico)—who led their respective collegiate teams in scoring this past season.
Atlanta Hawks: July 17, 9:30 PM (ESPN, ESPN+)
LA’s third game will be against the Atlanta Hawks, who boast the no. 1 overall pick, Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher, as well as the 43rd overall pick, Nikola Djurisic. Kobe Bufkin is one of the Hawks’ promising second-year players, and he could have a larger role now with the absence of Dejounte Murray. Summer League will be the perfect place for Bufkin to show off his growth and potential, giving the Lakers yet another opposing two-way threat to keep an eye on. The same could be said for fellow returner Mouhamed Gueye, a 6’11” center who will aim to reak havoc against the Lakers’ bigs.
Cleveland Cavaliers: July 18, 9:00 PM (ESPN, ESPN+)
The Lakers’ regular season Summer League will conclude with the reigning Summer League champion Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have some familiar faces making an appearance this summer. One of them is Craig Porter Jr., a second-year guard whose strong Summer League showing earned him a two-way contract. He will still be playing in Vegas despite recovering from an ankle injury he sustained at the end of last season. This summer will also mark the debut of several rookies for the wine and gold, including 20th overall pick Jaylon Tyson and undrafted NC State forward DJ Burns Jr.
If the Lakers’ luck changes in Vegas and they qualify for a shot at the championship, the four-team tournament and consolation games will happen July 20-22 on ESPN.
