The Lakers’ draft pick from last month, Adou Thiero, didn’t play as he recovers from a knee injury. The Lakers left Las Vegas losers of their last three games.
Fortunately for the Lakers, wins and losses in summer league play are inconsequential.
And there was still plenty to learn from the eight combined exhibitions they played over the last 1½ weeks at the California Classic and league-wide Las Vegas summer league.
Here’s what stood out from the Lakers’ summer league play:
BRONNY’S DEVELOPMENT
Like last summer when it came to the Lakers’ summer league games, all eyes were going to be on Bronny James, whom the organization drafted with the No. 55 pick last year.
The son of franchise star LeBron James returned to Las Vegas a more confident and assured version of himself compared with last summer.
More excited than nervous compared to last year, as he put it.
His development over the past 13 months was on display in the six games he played in – the two in the California Classic and four in Las Vegas. And his growth after a year inside the Lakers organization was on display.
James, 20, averaged 11.5 points (44.4% shooting), 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds and a steal in his six summer league games (20.4 minutes).
He was even more efficient and productive in Las Vegas, averaging 14.2 points (47.6% shooting), 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 24.3 minutes.
The 6-foot-3 James prioritized his conditioning and embracing physicality in his work before summer league, and it showed.
He got into the teeth of defenses more consistently coming off of ball screens, helping open up playmaking windows that he more successfully took advantage of this summer league compared to last year’s.
His 3-point shot (29.6%) and defensive consistency continue to be areas of improvement.
But James showed during summer league that the repetitions he received with the Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, during 2024-25 have helped his development and confidence.
KNECHT’S STRUGGLES
Fellow second-year player Dalton Knecht, whom the Lakers drafted with the No. 17 pick in last year’s draft, didn’t have as impressive summer league play as James.
Knecht, 24, struggled in San Francisco and Las Vegas, averaging 11.7 points on 32.1% shooting (23.7% from 3-point range to go with 64.3% on free throws) and 4.8 rebounds in his six exhibitions across both summer leagues.
With his 3-point shot not consistently falling, the 6-6 Knecht struggled to find other areas of his game to contribute to the team.
His defensive awareness, which was an area of improvement during his rookie season, was lacking. His inside scoring also dropped off, and he didn’t make up for it with creating plays for others.
Knecht’s play was a reversal from last summer, when he led the team in scoring behind strong perimeter shooting.
His struggles magnified what have been a challenging several months professionally, which have included: being traded to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the package for Mark Williams before that deal was rescinded; returning to the Lakers and eventually falling out of the regular rotation.
It wasn’t the best start for Knecht’s case to be in the rotation to start his second season.
BAZLEY SHINES
Darius Bazley, who was the No. 23 pick in the 2019 draft, made a strong case for having a spot in the league after playing in the G League and China last season.
He was second on the Lakers’ summer league squad in blocked shots with 2.1 per game to go with 11.7 points and 7.9 rebounds. Christian Koloko, who re-signed with the Lakers on a two-way contract after a few standout performances in summer league, led the squad with 2.6 blocked shots.
Bazley, 25, also flashes glimpses of playmaking off the dribble.
Suffering a right leg injury during the loss to the Boston Celtics last Thursday spoiled a strong summer of play for Bazley.
But he displayed how dynamic he is defensively with the Lakers, showcasing a versatility that almost every team would covet with his 6-9, 208-pound frame.
Bazley isn’t eligible to sign a two-way contract because he’s accrued at least four years of NBA service. Even with a more limited offensive skillset, Bazley showed his defense could be a value for an NBA team.
Originally Published:
