As several young prospects shine in the Summer League, L.A. remains focused on improving their defensive deficiency.
The Lakers kicked off Summer League at the California Classic on Saturday July 5th and finished with a 2-1 record. They completed an impressive comeback win over the Spurs on July 8th led by Darius Bazley (27 points) and sophomore guard/forward Dalton Knecht (25 points).
Cole Swider continues to impress after putting up 22 points and 10 rebounds on 6/10 shooting against number one overall pick Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks in an 87-85 loss on Thursday. Swider was named to the All-California Classic Team with averages of 19.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.0 bpg on 57.6 FG% and 47.6 3FG% in those three games.
Other guys like Darius Bazely and DJ Steward have been high impact guys, providing needed scoring, defense and rebounding. Dalton Knecht found himself in a bit of a slump in the first two California Classic games then found his stride as he sparked the big comeback win.
And of course, Bronny James has shown some growth and promise on the court as a defensive-minded guard displaying his incredible athleticism.
The Lakers Stand Pat in Week Two
The Lakers still remain with a full 15-man roster and have not made a move since last Thursday when they re-signed Jaxson Hayes. Though more moves are anticipated as L.A. now shifts their focus to address the defensive end of the floor.
Some new names have emerged from the rumor mill as potential targets for L.A. like Ayo Dosunmu, Marcus Smart, and Matisse Thybulle. Each one of these guards would make an immediate impact on the team as the Lakers don’t have many reliable defensive weapons to turn to, especially at the guard spot.
Available Free Agents and the Pursuit of Andrew Wiggins
While the Lakers need to hunker down on the defensive side of the ball, their bench scoring needs just as much work. Over the last two postseasons, the Lakers bench has only totaled 11.5 points per game, 39-116 from the field and 19-71 from three.
Bradley Beal is a name that has come up a lot within the last week after numerous reports point to a nearing buyout with the Phoenix Suns. While reports indicate that Beal will likely end up with the Clippers in the wake of the Norman Powell trade, the Lakers still remain interested in bringing him in to add to their depth.
Interestingly enough, other Laker targets like De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford still remain on the free agent market. Other notable names like Chris Paul, Amir Coffey, Malcom Brogdon, Trey Lyles and Gary Payton II are also still free agents waiting to be signed.
On the trade front, the Lakers and Miami Heat have been rumored to engage in trade conversations surrounding Andrew Wiggins according to NBA insider Jovan Buha. The holdup stems from the Lakers unwillingness to agree to the asking price that involves Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and their 2031 first round pick.
Wiggins seems to be the most coveted starting caliber wing on the Lakers radar and would be an incredible fit that would solidify their starting lineup. But is he worth giving up Hachimura, Knecht and an unprotected first?
As we head into week three of free agency, the Lakers seem to have taken the patient approach as anticipation surrounding their roster construction continues to grow.
PHOTO: Candice Ward/Imagn Images
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