The Los Angeles Lakers may not be participating in the NBA Summer League tournament this year, but they finished off the summer on a high note.
Despite being without Max Christie, their best player this summer, and No. 17 pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles fought hard for much of the contest. It fell behind by 11 in the first quarter, but the final three quarters were competitive, and this one was decided in the final seconds.
After the Clippers’ Matt Morgan hit a 3-pointer to tie the score with 1.5 seconds left, Keaton Wallace was called for a foul as the Lakers looked to inbound the ball. It resulted in a free throw by Cole Swider with 0.4 seconds left that provided the final margin in L.A.’s 104-103 win.
These three players stood out for the Lakers on Sunday.
Colin Castleton continued to show his potential
Castleton may not be someone who is destined for an NBA career, but he could have a chance at making the big leagues based on what he has shown during summer league play.
After looking soft on the boards in some earlier games, he has improved in that department of late. On Sunday, he brought down 14 rebounds, and he also dished off six assists.
He has shown potential as a facilitator from the high post and off the pick-and-roll as the roll man. He also appears to have a decent jump hook in the low post.
Castleton was signed recently by the Lakers to a two-way contract. He could be an interesting prospect to watch this fall and winter.
Cole Swider continues to light it up
Swider’s jumper was hot for most of this year’s summer league, and Sunday was no exception. He went 5-of-9 from 3-point range and 7-of-11 overall, giving him 21 points in 31 minutes.
The 6-foot-9 forward drew lots of defensive attention on the perimeter, including some traps, as a result of his long-range prowess. That type of defensive attention, as well as his actual shot-making abilities, makes him a seemingly viable prospect.
What makes Swider such a threat is the fact that he not only knocks down open shots but contested ones as well. That often seems to be a big difference between a good and a great shooter.
D'Moi Hodge had a great game -- at both ends of the floor
Hodge, a 6-foot-4 undrafted guard whom the Lakers signed to a two-way contract, was a flamethrower on Sunday. He connected on 7-of-11 3-point attempts to score 23 points, and he seemingly couldn’t miss, even when he took heat-check treys.
But Hodge was also productive on the defensive end of the floor. He came up with five steals, and midway through the fourth quarter, he came up with a steal, then instinctively threw a lead pass upcourt to create a fast-break that ended with a dunk by LJ Figueroa.
He is someone for Lakers fans to also keep an eye on moving forward.
