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.
Colin Castleton
As it presently stands, the Los Angeles Lakers' thinnest position is center. Anthony Davis, who would like to play more power forward, is the obvious starter at the moment, while Christian Wood looks to be the most likely player to back him up at the 5.
Colin Castleton has thus far been a standout player for the Lakers at the California Classic, and a strong showing at the Las Vegas Summer League could solidify his place in the team's plans.
Castleton played the 2023-24 season with the Lakers on a two-way contract and is back again for 2024-25. Undrafted in 2023, he's become an interesting project player for Los Angeles as a 6'10" and 250-pound big man with a huge 7'4" wingspan and an intriguing defensive ceiling.
Castleton showcased some of that potential with the South Bay Lakers, averaging 14.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 offensive boards, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.
Castleton picked up where he left off by performing well at the California Classic. He recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds, four offensive boards, three assists, four blocks, and two steals in the Lakers' most recent game at the event, and tallied 11 points and 10 boards the previous time out.
It's possible that Castleton will spend the bulk of the 2024-25 season in the G League again, but the opportunity exists for him to earn playing time behind Davis.
Bronny James
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James at No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. It was one of the most controversial decisions of the offseason thus far, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it won't pay off in the long run.
As the Lakers look for ways to improve their perimeter depth on defense, it's plausible that James could find his way into a consistent role as soon as the 2024-25 season.
James' offensive value is still in question, as his jump shot has been erratic and his dribble penetration skills are unrefined. It doesn't help that he's thus far struggled to find his offensive rhythm during Summer League festivities.
In saying that, James has already begun to showcase his defensive prowess, including the three blocks and two steals he recorded in Los Angeles' most recent California Classic game.
At the NBA level, James could offer a nice change of pace in short spurts of playing time with his length, athleticism, and defensive intensity. It'll be difficult to stay on the court without consistent offensive production, but there's still value to explore.
James' role will likely be limited as a rookie, but there's a strong possibility that he'll find his way into the rotation in some way if the current roster remains as it is.
Dalton Knecht
Los Angeles Lakers fans are rightfully intrigued by what Dalton Knecht could bring to the table as soon as his rookie season. The reigning SEC Player of the Year has been heralded as the biggest steal of the 2024 NBA Draft after he unexpectedly fell to the Lakers at No. 17 overall.
It's difficult to project how a rookie might fit into the rotation, but it stands to reason that Knecht will have ample opportunity to establish himself in 2024-25.
Knecht looked solid at the California Classic, posting 20 points, nine rebounds, and three offensive boards in the third and final game. It was the first game that he'd played since dropping 37 points on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite Eight at the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
In terms of how that might translate to the highest level, Knecht will be joining a team that's desperate for offense from its second unit, which ranked No. 28 in scoring offense in 2023-24.
Knecht is more of a scorer than a pure shooter, but he shot 38.3 percent during his NCAA career and 39.7 percent in 2023-24 from beyond the arc. That shooting proficiency should help him earn early minutes, and his overall scoring instincts could yield itself to his emergence as the sixth man.
A true three-level scorer with size, athleticism, and toughness on his side, Knecht has the talent to emerge as the first player off the bench as soon as his rookie season.
It doesn't hurt that LeBron James has praised Knecht as a potential impact player.
Armel Traore
Armel Traore is one of the most interesting players on the Summer League roster for the Los Angeles Lakers. A 6'9" forward with a massive 7'3" wingspan, Traore is an upside signing with captivating potential on both ends of the floor.
Already inked to a two-way contract, Traore will have a chance to make an impact in the G League and potentially work his way into JJ Redick's rotation.
Traore has played three seasons at the highest level in French basketball, experiencing his most significant success in 2023-24. He averaged 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.4 offensive boards in 25.5 minutes per game, shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 64.6 percent at the free throw line.
Beyond the numbers, he utilizes his length to capitalize on opportunities to create second chances, comfortably plays above the rim, and has the physical attributes to defend at a high level.
It's admittedly more likely that Traore will spend time in the G League and slowly work his way toward an NBA debut. The upside here is alluring, however, and it stands to reason that he could find minutes if a spot in the rotation opens up this season.
In either scenario, the Lakers have found one of the most intriguing undrafted free agents of the class of 2024 with Traore.