Lakers Training Camp: Six Things to Watch

Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) reacts after a call during an NBA Summer League game against Minnesota at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

5. Who Will Make the Team and Have an Impact?

For better or worse, the Top 12 players on the squad are set for next season. There could be solid competition for the last three slots primarily between Brown, Black, Jonathan Holmes, Michael Frazier. Kelly, Robert Upshaw, and Robert Sacre are on the outside looking in.

Only three of these players can realistically make the squad. It will most likely be determined by who meets the challenge in training camp and gets off to a fast start. Most Laker fans expect Brown, Black, and Upshaw to get the nod.

However, Holmes and Frazier should make it interesting. As for Kelly and Sacre, few people understand why they are still on the team at all and with guaranteed contracts.

There’s a good reason for fans to care about who wins these competitions. The past three seasons, the Lakers could barely field a team of eight healthy men for much of last season.

The players at the end of the bench were forced to play in more than a token role. Given the number of young, inexperienced players, if someone does not pan out there must be that next player who is ready to step in.

These seven players will be fighting for their NBA lives once training camp starts. It will be interesting to see who rises to the top.

Next: Who Will Serve as Bryant's Backup?