Even with the excellent track record that the Los Angeles Lakers have, not every Summer League standout is going to pan out. Unfortunately for Cole Swider, he did not join the list of breakout Lakers projects after turning heads in his Summer League debut.
Los Angeles released Swider earlier in the summer to make room for Alex Fudge on a two-way contract. This was a shock to many as Swider had a strong season for the South Bay Lakers and has the trait that every team is looking for: three-point shooting.
The former Syracuse sharpshooter was able to find a new team before the start of training camp, landing with the Miami Heat. Swider’s contract terms with Miami, however, justify the Lakers’ decision to cut ties.
Cole Swider agreed to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat, according to a source. He'll have a chance to compete for a two-way contract or possibly a spot on the 15-man roster in camp.
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) August 6, 2023
Cole Swider’s Heat contract justified the Lakers’ decision to release him.
As great as Swider’s shooting was, he was limited as a rotation player as he struggled to rebound and struggled even more to defend. This is a Lakers team that needs more shooting in the frontcourt and LA was still so willing to let him go. The fact that he could not even get a two-way contract elsewhere proves that the Lakers were right to cut ties.
Swider certainly can earn a two-way or standard NBA contract on his exhibit-10 training camp deal but there are no guarantees. If Miami was over the moon about Swider the team could have just signed him to either as the team only has 13 players on the roster. Miami obviously wants Swider to earn it and prove he deserves a roster spot.
Most teams would not have the self-reflection that the Lakers had in this situation. They would hold on to the potential that Swider could develop outside of his shooting, knowing that if he does his shooting would be a truly lethal weapon.
Swider would have been a sunk cost and the stakes might not be very high with a two-way contract but the self-awareness to move on is why the Lakers have had so much success with scouting and developing players.
Hopefully, for Swider’s sake, he can earn a roster spot and stick around in the league. It is always nice to see former Lakers succeeding, as long as it does not hurt LA’s title chances. But based on the Lakers’ track record, it may not work out long-term for the sharpshooter.