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3 Lakers whose stock has plummeted this preseason

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers walks to the court for a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. 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)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers walks to the court for a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. 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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Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Cole Swider

There was a lot of hype for Cole Swider entering the preseason. Swider was fantastic for the Lakers in the Summer League and really does have the skill set to play his way into the NBA rotation despite being on a two-way deal.

Swider is a marksman from deep. He was the best shooter in the entire Summer League and is coming off a season with the Syracuse Orange in which he shot 41.1% from three. Unlike Christie, he is also older as at 23 years old, Swider could produce in year one if LA needed him to.

Because he is on a two-way deal already, Swider had to really earn this final roster spot in LA this preseason and he has not been able to do that thus far. The rookie has picked the worst time to go ice cold from the field, shooting 25% from the floor and 23.1% from three.

It is a minuscule sample size and is nothing to worry about but because of his contract situation, it should be enough of a reason to not give him the final roster spot. Instead, Los Angeles probably prefers to sign someone like Matt Ryan, who has shot exceptionally well this preseason, a non-guaranteed contract.

That way the team can give Swider minutes in the G League and elevate him as part of the two-way contract when needed. That is the better long-term approach than signing a struggling shooter to a roster spot and simply letting Ryan walk away when he earned a chance.

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