Lakers Pick D’Angelo Russell Finally Dazzles In Summer League

The Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly looking to trade Nick Young this summer, but reports indicated the veteran shooting guard is now off the trading block.

In only two games (he sat out the second game of their three-game set) in 2015 Vegas summer league, Randle hasn’t looked all that good or active. With proper adjustments and acclimated to the pace of the National Basketball Association, Russell should be able to eradicate many of these turnovers from his repertoire. The result was a thrilling shootout, albeit in a losing effort.

The biggest crowd in Las Vegas summer league history was there, including Houston’s James Harden sitting on one of the sidelines and taking in the show. The team also has Julius Randle and if Seraphin signs, he would likely be a reserve player.

Too often he lost assists because his teammates couldn’t finish at the basket, or weren’t expecting a bullet pass. Still, the rookie underwhelmed in his first test as a Laker.

If Randle continues to develop his range he will surely be a mismatch, as he has the handle of a wing. At age 19, even Kobe Bryant was not starting in the National Basketball Association, and it is understandable that Russell’s body still needs time to develop. Let’s not forget passing is one of his best skill sets. Russell left the locker room and weaved his way through the maze of bodies and took his spot along the wall. That makes developing a counter-strike pivotal.

While the argument that Summer League is ultimately meaningless is more right than wrong, the Lakers blew a big opportunity and wildly underachieved considering the squad that dressed in purple and gold. The All-Rookie first team combo guard has been showcasing the full arsenal of moves, including an improved pull-up midrange jumper that proved so deadly last season.

Bryce Cotton did play well again finishing with 20 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists in 26 minutes of action.

D’Angelo Russell finally looked like a second-overall draft pick on Friday, as the Lakers took on the Utah Jazz for their final game of the 2015 Summer League season.

The end is here for the Summer League Lakers. It really doesn’t matter because… well…it’s SUMMER LEAGUE! “I think we showed agents and players around the league a serious nature of what we’re trying to accomplish”. Come 2016 off-season, the Lakers may look a bit more appealing for free agents. He plays a position (small forward) where the Lakers could be looking for a useful body at some point. At the time, the gesture seemed like a taunt to anyone who doubted the Lakers’ ability to somehow land a franchise-altering superstar – either by draft, trade, free agency, hook or crook.