Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 5 players to watch during Summer League

By Kenneth Teape

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: 2018 NBA draft picks Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk pose for a photo during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: 2018 NBA draft picks Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk pose for a photo during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Los Angeles Lakers: 5 players to watch during Summer League
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images /

No. 5: SG Malik Newman

Malik Newman has a lot to play for during the summer league. After going undrafted this year, he was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way deal. However, given the moves that the Lakers have made thus far in free agency, they could be re-thinking the two-way deal for Newman.

Newman does not have a path to the NBA right now. Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Lance Stephenson will all be on the roster. As a result, the Lakers could change their mind and give a two-way deal to someone else. So, Newman has to compete and play well to show the Lakers they made the right decision signing him.

At Kansas, last season Newman showed his scoring chops. He scored from all over the court, shooting 46.3 percent overall, 41.5 percent from the 3-point line and 83.5 percent from the foul line. He averaged 14.2 points per game but really stepped up in the postseason. In eight conference and NCAA tournament games, Newman averaged 22.5 points per game. He scored at least 17 in seven of those eight games, with a high of 32 against Duke.

In addition to his scoring prowess, Newman is also a very good rebounder. He averaged 5.0 per game for Kansas, an impressive number given his size.

If Newman can develop his playmaking, he could be a useful combo guard at the next level. He is already a solid defender with a good jump shot. Playing well in summer league will be important for him.

Home/Lakers News