Summer League standout Blake Hinson could fill crucial Lakers void

The Los Angeles Lakers are 1-5 through six Summer League games. Between the California Classic and the Las Vegas events, wins have been evasive and quality play has been tough to come by in terms of a consistent output.

One of the players who has justified their inclusion on the Summer League roster, however, is Lakers sharpshooter Blake Hinson.

Hinson signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. It was an intriguing move, as the 24-year-old was named First Team All-ACC in 2023-24 and Second Team All-ACC in 2022-23.

Hinson is expected to spend most of the 2024-25 season with Los Angeles' G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, but his NBA value is being established at Summer League.

To get the obvious out of the way: Yes, Hinson is a 24-year-old incoming rookie who spent four seasons and six years at the NCAA level. There were medical reasons that contributed to that fact, as well as transfers, but his age caused him to go undrafted due to the widespread belief that older prospects have limited upside.

Hinson could be one of the players who proves that dated belief wrong, however, and his Summer League performancs are proof of that.

Blake Hinson fills a crucial Lakers void

Hinson opened Summer League by draining five three-point field goals en route to a 17-point game. He struggled to rediscover that form over the next three games, but has bounced back in a showcase of his mental toughness.

Hinson scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting the next time out, going 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, and has since built upon that success with one of his best performances yet.

Hinson helped Los Angeles pick up its first win of the Summer League by scoring 14 points in an 87-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. He shot 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, proved willing and able to create situationally, and defended with intensity.

It was yet another example of the 3-and-D potential that makes Hinson a player worth investing in as the Lakers desperately search for players who fit that mold.

Hinson averaged 2.3 three-point field goals made per game and shot 37.8 percent from beyond the arc across four collegiate seasons. He buried 38.0 percent of his 7.1 attempts per contest in 2022-23, and reached an even higher level in 2023-24.

This past season, the former Pittsburgh Panthers star averaged 18.5 points and 3.3 three-point field goals made per game on 42.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

In addition to being a great shooter, Hinson is an impressive player physically at 6'6" and 240 pounds with a 6'10.25" wingspan. As the prototypical 3-and-D wing, he suddenly slots in perfectly for a team that ranked No. 24 in three-point field goals made and No. 28 in three-point field goal attempts.

Hinson will need to work his way up from the G League to the NBA rotation, but his upside is undeniable for a team that needs a player of his archetype.