DJ Steward is playing his cards right for the Lakers this summer

DJ Steward has taken advantage of his opportunities during Las Vegas Summer League and might have played his way onto the Lakers roster.

LAS VEGAS — For fans, Summer League games in Sin City are a fun time to enjoy some hoops during the dog days of the NBA offseason.

There should be minimal, if any, film analysis, as the players on the court largely consist of incoming rookies and G League journeyman with no semblance of continuity among teams.

However, for the players participating in these contests, these games are not to be taken lightly. This Vegas trip is a business one, providing a big opportunity for these players to prove to an NBA team they belong on a roster.

For DJ Steward, there have been multiple business trips to Las Vegas.

After just one year at Duke, he has bounced around the NBA with the Kings, Bulls, and Celtics. Now with the Lakers, he’s participating in his fifth Summer League, an eye-catching number for a competition no one wants to make more than two appearances in.

Where some see challenges and setbacks, Steward has found opportunity. The guard has been a bright spot for the Lakers in Las Vegas.

He’s been a defensive irritant for perimeter players, using his speed to keep up with even the most versatile guards and wings. His 6’7 “wingspan always keeps him within reach of his opponent.

Simplified Summer League offenses often consist of a plethora of pick and rolls. Steward consistently fights over them to make sure he never concedes space or ends up in an unfavorable situation.

As a basketball player trying to find a permanent home in the league, Steward knows defense is where he can stand out and make a name for himself. Even as a smaller guard, he’s found NBA comps that provide a style he can replicate.

“I watched a lot of Alex Caruso, Jaden McDaniels and TJ McConnell,” Steward said. “So, just seeing how those guys can get deflections and just make plays for the team to get the ball back on the offensive end. That’s something I’m really honing in on.”

Head coach Lindsey Harding has been present throughout Steward’s basketball journey. She watched him play for her alma mater, Duke, coached him in the G League with Stockton Kings and is now guiding him in Las Vegas, helping him continue to sharpen his game.

“A lot of people want to back up when they’re guarding the ball when the screen comes, but you actually need to run into your man to try to push them off and get over with them, and he’s getting better and better with it,” Harding said. “It’s difficult when you’re defending bigger and stronger guards, but he’s done a great job with just trying to be physical and squeeze over. Which is huge, because we don’t want to switch that if we don’t need to.”

While defense will keep him on the floor, make no mistake about it, Steward can put the ball in the hoop. He’s comfortable handling the ball and knows how to get to his spots. Steward has a healthy diet of 3-pointers, baskets near the rim and pull-up mid-range jumpers.

While the rest of the basketball world was fixated on Cooper Flag vs. Bronny James, Steward just put on his offensive hard hat and went to work. He had 14 points in 26 minutes, converting on 50% of his attempts.

The performance didn’t provide a win, but it did demonstrate how much he’s grown since leaving Duke.

“It’s taken me a long time to get to this point,” Steward said. “I’ve never played [point guard] in my life until like the last year or so. So, being able to adjust and then just trying to get myself the best opportunity and best chance to be an NBA player. I know it’s very important for me to take on that role as being a [point guard], but also playing to my strengths of being a scorer as well.”

On paper, Steward seems like an excellent fit for the Lakers. He is a crafty guard who is defensive-minded, can score off the dribble and, as an added bonus, has that Duke lineage just like Harding and head coach JJ Redick.

But L.A.’s roster is already at 15 players and Steward isn’t forcing any tough decisions just yet.

Instead, his best chance at eventually making the Lakers’ main roster is via one of their three two-way spots.

The Lakers currently have Trey Jemison III under contract and have tendered a qualifying offer to Christian Koloko, meaning he could potentially take one of the spots, too. Initially, Eric Dixon was reported as having signed a two-way deal with the Lakers, but a foot injury has him out for the summer and is keeping his contract status with the Lakers uncertain.

In the NBA, your two-way players often change. Considering we are so far out from the start of the NBA season, there’s plenty of time for Steward to make his mark and build his case to earn one of those contracts.

And while Steward’s long journey has him entering his fifth year as a professional this fall, he has yet to make his NBA debut, leaving open the possibility of him signing a two-way deal.

The Lakers have established South Bay as a “model for integration” and two-way players were very impactful under head coach JJ Redick’s tutelage.

Christian Koloko, Trey Jemison III and Jordan Goodwin all saw significant time with the Lakers. Goodwin was even converted into a standard deal. It’s not hard to imagine Steward following a similar path to success.

“He’s been great,” Harding said. “I’ve watched him play from Duke, to get in the G League. He’s gone from like this huge scorer to like, really turning himself into a point guard. He’s not just a scorer. He knows how to distribute. He knows how to really play that position because to be in this league, he will be a point guard. So he’s been great for us, and we really count on him.”

This NBA journey for Steward has been five years in the making and he’s played his cards right in Las Vegas this summer. After a series of business trips to Vegas, his hope is that this will be the last one.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.