4 Summer League invites who have a realistic shot to crack the rotation
Summer League is upon us and the Los Angeles Lakers will be keeping as close of an eye on the way it pans out as any team in the NBA. Draft picks, two-way players, and roster hopefuls will be joining forces in hopes of making a positive impression.
With a top-heavy roster and the need to improve the second unit, the Lakers could potentially find key rotational cogs at the Summer League events.
The Lakers have kicked off the 2024 Summer League with a mixed bag of results. Wins and losses are far less important than getting a look at players who could potentially make the roster, but an 0-3 finish at the California Classic has made individual progress more challenging to embrace.
Thankfully, there are several players who are already proving to have the talent and potential to fit into head coach JJ Redick's rotation for the 2024-25 season.
That begins with one of the few centers who can provide depth behind Anthony Davis.
Moses Brown
A late addition to the Summer League roster, Moses Brown has NBA experience and a small sample size of remarkably productive performances. He's struggled to find playing time over the past three seasons, but his play in 2020-21 still generates intrigue.
A 24-year-old center with elite physical tools and a history of incredible per-36 production, Brown could slot in behind Davis at center in 2024-25.
Brown is a 7'2" and 258-pound center with a near 7'5" wingspan. That alone makes him an interesting player to consider, as his size, strength, and length permit tremendous defensive value, even if it hasn't quite translated up to this point.
He's still young enough to warrant an upside signing at the minimum, however, and he isn't too far removed from showcasing his upside.
In 2020-21, Brown averaged 8.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 offensive boards, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 21.4 minutes per game with the Oklahoma City Thunder. That translated to 14.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 6.0 offensive boards, 1.8 blocks, and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes.
If nothing else, Brown's per-minute production offers reason for intrigue as the Lakers explore a thin market for an upgrade at center.