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Los Angeles Lakers: Zach Norvell Jr. is the real deal

By Levon Satamian

SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 2: Zach Norvell Jr. #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on July 2, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 2: Zach Norvell Jr. #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on July 2, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Zach Norvell Jr. has show his versatility in the NBA’s California Classic for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Before entering the NBA Draft, Zach Norvell Jr. played at Gonzaga for two seasons. After going undrafted, the Los Angeles Lakers picked him up.  Last season, Norvell averaged 14.9 points, on 43.4% shooting from the field, and 37% shooting from three, grabbing 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. In the two seasons that Norvell Jr. played at Gonzaga, he averaged 13.8 points, on 44.4% shooting from the field, 37% shooting from three, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Norvell Jr. was projected a second round pick in the NBA draft, but he was not drafted by any team during the first or second round. Luckily for the Lakers, they were able to sign Norvell Jr. to a two-way NBA contract, meaning he will spend some time in the NBA, and some time in the G League. If Norvell Jr. starts off the season in the G League, that shouldn’t be surprising, and he will make a name for himself in the G League. It shouldn’t be too soon after that, Norvell Jr. will be moved up from the South Bay Lakers, to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Norvell Jr. will have a similar season to the season that Alex Caruso had last season. He will be moved from the G League to the NBA, but will have an opportunity to prove himself at some point during the regular season.

In the California Classic, he averaged 14 points, on 42.6% shooting, 4.6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2.3 three-pointers made, including a game-winning three-pointer against the Sacramento Kings. That is a small sample, but he is a combo guard, and that is what the Lakers will need during the season.

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Norvell Jr. has a good shooting form, and if he can become a reliable spot-up shooter, he will definitely have a role off the bench. His game reminds me of a young D’Angelo Russell. If Norvell Jr. can turn out to become like Russell, the Lakers scouting department will have another phenomenal signing. If he improves his ball-handling skills, he could run the show with the second unit, and a backcourt of Norvell Jr. and Troy Daniels could be a shooting exhibit.

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