The Los Angeles Lakers standout rookies are going to transverse different paths in training and basketball participation this offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers received excellent contributions this season from their rookie class. The 2017 NBA Draft looks like it will produce at least three players that the Lakers can add to their young core.
With the No. 2 overall pick, the Lakers selected point guard Lonzo Ball. With the No. 27 and No. 30 overall picks, two selections the Lakers landed in trades, forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Josh Hart was selected. In the second round, the Lakers picked center Thomas Bryant.
All four looked great this season in the NBA and G League. Ball, Kuzma and Hart provided great production for the Lakers, while Bryant showcased his talents for a majority of the season with the South Bay Lakers.
This summer is an important one for the younger players development, but they will take different paths on that development.
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Ball and Kuzma will not participate in the Summer League this year, as Lakers President of Basketball Ops. Magic Johnson stated. In an exit interview, a reporter asked Magic Johnson on their status for the Vegas showdowns. He responded:
"“We’re not gonna play [Lonzo] in the Summer League. Kyle Kuzma will not play in the Summer League either… We want those guys in the gym, working with weights, working on their game. They won’t be playing in the summer league.”"
This was contrary to Lonzo Ball’s wishes on the participation. He told Bill Oram of the So. Cal News Group:
"“[If] they want me to play, I’ll play.”"
Last year, the 2017 NBA Draft standouts in Ball and Kuzma won Summer League MVP and Summer League Championship MVP, respectively. However, the main goal for both Lakers is to continue to improve their game and conditioning in the summer.
This season, Lonzo Ball showed basketball fans that his defensive worth was much more than anticipated. However, he also missed 30 games due to nagging knee injuries. His intangibles and durability need to be heavily induced with a strength training program, similar to the one Ingram went through.
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As for Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant, Magic Johnson stated that both would participate in summer league games. But for both Kuzma and Ball, another Vegas appearance is not crucial to either’s careers.