3 Lakers Summer League players who earned a bigger role in the rotation

By Jason Reed | Jul 17, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Cole Swider #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after hitting a 3-pointer and getting a foul call against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Scotty Pippen Jr.

Scotty Pippen Jr. had the highest stock of any Lakers Summer League player when play first started at the beginning of the month but he did see some of that shine rub off during his play in Las Vegas. Pippen struggled to shoot the basketball in Vegas, which hurt his value as a result.

That being said, Pippen still showed all the intangibles that he is a legitimate NBA player. He might not ever be 80% of the player that his father was, but he will eventually blossom into a solid rotation player that gets a second contract in the NBA.

Pippen comes in at third on this list as he would benefit from some time in the G League. Pippen will likely remain on a two-way contract with Swider having a much better chance of getting converted to a standard contract.

The 21-year-old guard could really benefit from time in the G League to get his footing with professional basketball. Then, when players like Troy Brown Jr. start to disappoint, Pippen will be more refined to come in and play a role on the team.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on April 10, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Ranking 3 possible Kyrie Irving trades for the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are all-in on Kyrie Irving and there are several different ways a potential trade with the Brooklyn Nets could go.

So while he may not play at the beginning of the season, he has still earned a bigger role in the rotation in the grand scheme of things. It is much better for him to go play 35 minutes a night in the G League while he waits for his chance to prove his worth as a rotation player.

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