The LA Lakers have quite a lot of fascinating names making an attempt to make an impression at Summer season League.
By way of title worth alone, Bronny James is commanding consideration for the LA Lakers at Summer season League in 2025 similar to he did in 2024.
This time he’s extra settled, extra assured, and incomes plaudits. And he isn’t the one one. Cole Swider’s prolific scoring has Lakers followers abuzz, questioning what his potential is perhaps.
One other intriguing title is Darius Bazley, a former first spherical draft decide with the Utah Jazz in 2019, however traded to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Darius Bazley helped the LA Lakers to a convincing 94-81 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on July 12.
Bazley contributed a double-double with 12 factors and 10 rebounds. He added 4 assists, and notably, 5 blocks.
Cole Swider additionally had a double-double with 21 factors and 10 rebounds – however he didn’t have any blocks on the defensive finish.
Bazley’s standout efficiency drew reward from Lakers’ Summer season League coach Lindsey Harding.
Harding instructed Lakers Nation that she may be very impressed along with his do all of it defensive capacity.
She mentioned: “Bazley is an incredible defender. He can guard on ball, he can guard level guard, he can guard the middle.
“He does an amazing job off the ball. Typically defenders are nice on the ball and never off the ball and vice versa, he can do all that.
“He’s lengthy, we want him for each place they usually had been enormous blocks.”
Darius Bazley has NBA expertise with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. He even performed in seven playoff video games with OKC.
However his profession trailed off and he had a spell taking part in in China final season, and hopes to reset his profession this summer time.
He instructed Lakers Nation: “I’m on a mission to revamp my profession, simply show I belong on the market, that I might help the staff win, contribute to profitable. It’s been enjoyable in that facet.”
Requested about what he hoped to point out the Lakers and the 29 different groups who could also be watching, Bazley mentioned he needed his improvement to be noticeable.
“In the event that they decide me up, I can defend at a excessive stage, I can knock down pictures, I been taking strides in my shot.
“My progress as a participant, being extra decisive, connecting extra on the offense.”
