We interrupt free agency to inform you the Lakers have announced their Summer League roster:
First off, the names I think most are looking forward to watching most are D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr., and Brandon Ingram. These three are key pieces of the Lakers’ young core and it will be interesting to see how they have progressed (Russell, Nance) from last year and adapt (Ingram) to this environment. Summer League is not really “NBA” basketball, but it’s good competition for young players.
Another name worth watching, for me at least, is rookie big man Ivica Zubac. Summer league is not a great environment for bigs to truly showcase their full skill set (it is, truly, a guard dominated league), but I am interested in seeing the little things with him — how he does on the glass, how he moves defensively, whether he can establish deep offensive position, and how he protects the rim. Can he run the floor? Can he finish inside? I think he’ll get good minutes and want to see how he does.
Also of note is that neither Julius Randle nor Jordan Clarkson are listed here. We noted earlier in the summer they were not expected to compete in Vegas, but this pretty much confirms it. I don’t think fans should be overly concerned here, either. As 3rd year players, these guys getting a bit of rest while continuing to work on their individual games is probably more useful than getting floor time in these types of games.
Lastly, I thought Luke Walton might actually coach this team but assistant coach Jesse Mermuys will pace the sidelines instead. Mermuys was just introduced Friday as an assistant and has history coaching young players from his recent stint as Toronto’s D-League coach. I am hopeful he can bring some of that experience to LA’s summer sidelines.
John Citizen says
The Lakers will give D Wade 3-4 years Max.
matt24 says
Who is moustapha fall?
matt24 says
Wade is gonna stay in miami, he hasn’t signed yet so they can maximize their cap space.
And I’m starting to think outside of okc, miami has a shot at kd.
Miami cap is gonna be at around 130 million
KevTheBold says
Strange new names on that list.
I wonder which of the 3 centers will turn out to be better than Mozgov?
matt24 says
Hope I’m not out of line, but
Some fishy stuff going on with dallas with these free agency meetings the last 2 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if the agents of these players are getting something under the table.
BeataSilk says
No Upshaw on the list.
So they gave up on him.
Sorry to see that.
Maybe the drug issues returned.
RobertBass says
It did that’s why they terminated his contract
RobertBass says
All of them is my final answer
Shaunis007 says
hes gonna go to the knicks
matt24 says
Is this sarcastic, or for real?
matt24 says
These sports broadcasters on t.v. and radio, are really getting on my nerves. It’s like they don’t even report news just all controversial nonsense, it’s terrible, most of them seem like they don’t even know what they are talking about. And I think no creditable broadcasters work for espn anymore.
Clay Bertrand says
Nikola Jovanovic is an interesting player here for the Lakers. He’s a 24 year old Serbian who played at USC and went undrafted this year. But he was pretty effective as a 6’11” Center for the Trojans averaging 12 and 7 his last 2 years. He played 3 years total and this year, USC was somewhat of a surprise.
He isn’t really a rim protector but more of a Modern NBA center/pf who can score from outside and inside and can rebound decently.
His Dad is a former pro player in Europe and he has played for Serbia’s National Team in a couple of Tourneys. He went to High School at a Basketball Prep school in Florida for his senior year putting up fairly modest numbers there for a big man.
I’m interested to see if the Lakers can scoop up this kid. He DID work out for them predraft and saw plenty of him at SC. Since both he and Zubac are technically Serbian, he could certainly help Zubac get comfy in L.A. and from what I have seen, he could be a decent upside replacement for Sacre.
Keep an eye on him.
Clay Bertrand says
matt24
LOL—Yeah….the fishy stuff is they get meeting WITH EVERYONE and NO ONE SIGNS THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe they all go because of those PlayStations that Mark Cuban had put in EVERY locker. Silly Mark Cuban…….
BeataSilk says
matt24
For real.
I was hoping to see him in summer league.
And one day on the Lakers bench.
It is sad to see he screws up his chances for drugs.
bleedpurplegold says
Great to see jabari on that roster, i’ve always liked him. With clarkson out, i hope he has a strong showing in the SL for us and gets rewarded. I think he would fit well in lukes system.
Go Lakers!
Busboys4me says
Lakers sign Loul Deng, 4/$72…..Will he and Mosgov still be in the league in four years. Please sign Brandon Bass….
Minor Threatt says
Mosgov made a certain sort of warped sense — they needed a 5. I know they need wings too, but this deal just baffles me. And the first comments I read are that he’ll be “mentoring” Ingram. Wouldn’t coaches be cheaper?
Joel_ says
Again, the length of the contract is just puzzling to me. Deng at least is a good player who offers a lot of attributes the Lakers need, but 4 years for a 31-year-old when you’ve just drafted a SF? Weird.
bleedpurplegold says
I actually like this signing. Deng brings a defensive first mentality and always gives 110% for his team, great leader on and off the court, too, and the youngsters can learn a lot from him. He can shoot the ball as well and finish inside, rebouds well and isnt a ball stopper.
That money thrown at him is crazy, but we need to fill our cap, so i understand that part. Thats why i am not that dissappointed at the mozgov deal than i originally was. the 4 years are dumb though, a 2 year contract with a Team option afterwards would have been ideal, but we get what we needed.
I hope he wasnt told to be the starter for us long term, cause i would really be mad as hell if ingram doesnt start after all star break at the latest….
Welcome to the laker family luol!
Mid Wilshire says
I agree with bleedpurpleandgold.
This is a good signing. Deng is obviously on the downside of his career. (He turned 31 in April.) But if the contract is structured with a Team Option in year 4, then the Lakers will be able to have him contribute as a starter for 2 years, then maybe slide over to the bench in year 3, while helping with the mentoring of Brandon Ingram. (This would parallel a similar strategy in the use of Mozgov with regard to the eventual developing of Zubac.)
I think it’s a good move. I’m still getting used to these new $$$. But in a world where Mike Conley gets $31 Million a year, we’re obviously dealing with a new paradigm.
I’ve always considered Deng to be a pro’s pro. And he plays defense. He works hard. Ingram will learn a lot just from playing against him in practice.