5 Summer League players who are justifying Lakers investment in their upside

The Los Angeles Lakers are 0-5 across Summer League games. It's an unsettlingly bad record, but it's important to remember that scouting and developing the talent on your roster is more important than winning games in this setting.

For the Lakers, there have been reasons for optimism, particularly in the quality of play from some of the players the organization has taken a chance on.

Los Angeles' Summer League roster is flush with intriguing names who could become quality NBA players. That includes a slew of talented individuals who have been signed to guaranteed or two-way contracts for the 2024-25 season.

The question is: Which of those players have stepped up at Summer League and provided reason for optimism about their future with the Lakers?

Moses Brown

Moses Brown was a late invite to the Lakers' Summer League roster. Not too far removed from emerging as a per-36 star, Brown is now looking to prove that he can fill Los Angeles' void at the center position behind or even alongside Anthony Davis.

Brown has gotten off to a great start in that regard, maximizing his minutes and producing well enough to warrant an uptick in playing time.

Brown kicked the Las Vegas festivities off by posting eight points, five rebounds, and three blocks in just under 13 minutes of play. It was par for the course from a player who boasts career NBA averages of 15.7 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes.

The next time out, Brown tallied 11 points, six rebounds, and one block in just under 15 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 at the free throw line.

Still just 24 years of age, Brown has untapped potential that has justifiably intrigued the Lakers. He's struggled to find consistent playing time in recent seasons, but it was as recently as 2021 that he posted 21 points and 23 rebounds in a single game.

Brown averaged 8.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 offensive boards, and 1.1 blocks in just 21.4 minutes per game that season. That type of value would be welcomed with open arms to the Lakers' rotation.