Lakers News: Team Expects to Sign Russell in Time for Vegas
The Lakers are working with something they haven’t had in quite awhile: momentum. You know what would mess that up? Not having their star rookie signed in time to showcase him in Las Vegas this weekend.
RELATED: 5 Things D’Angelo Russell Can Learn From Kobe Bryant
Fortunately, they don’t seem too worried about it. This, via Bill Oram of the Orange County Register:
Lakers anticipate D'Angelo Russell will be signed in time to play in Summer League opener, Fri vs. Minnesota. Randle missed opener last year
— Bill Oram (@billoram) July 6, 2015
Phew. That would’ve stunk, especially when you consider the first game the Lakers play in Vegas will be against the only team who picked ahead of them back in June: the Minnesota Timberwolves, who feature that Karl-Anthony Towns guy.
Russell will look to impress given his competitive nature and the Lakers might have the best player on the court in Jordan Clarkson, who comes off a first-team all NBA rookie campaign. (That doesn’t mean he’ll end up the best player, only that he’ll be the most comfortable on an NBA court.
The only slight bummer in that matchup is Andrew Wiggins not participating, but with names like Russell, Towns, Clarkson, Zach LaVine, Julius Randle and so on, there will be plenty of young talent across the board there that scouts might have to bring buckets for their drool.
I know I plan on it.