Dalton Knecht, Bronny James give Lakers coach JJ Redick a preview of things to come
Published in Basketball
LAS VEGAS — JJ Redick and a chunk of his new coaching staff sat baseline Thursday in Las Vegas, the Lakers’ key young pieces all flashing elements of why the Lakers valued them.
The result — another Lakers Summer League win and some critic silencing — was momentary. Maybe in the 93-89 win, there was something more.
From the jump, Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ first rounder, splashed 3s and attacked the rim with an athletic two-handed dunk. It all reinforced that he can score — something the Lakers and Redick will probably try to incorporate this season.
Knecht scored 20 and grabbed seven rebounds, looking like a piece the Lakers could try and use sooner than later.
Bronny James, more of a long-term developmental project, showed the mid-range and rim-attacking skills that can help offset a 3-point shot that’s still under construction.
He finished with 13 points on 50% shooting.
Maxwell Lewis played a more complementary game while still showing the elite tools that made the Lakers value him a season ago.
Second-year center Colin Castleton fired pretty bounce passes to cutters, a skill that could help separate him from other big men. French two-way rookie Armel Traore had his best game of the summer, using his physicality and motor to make plays at the rim on both ends. And two-way rookie Blake Hinson showed that he’s willing to try and stretch the floor with his shooting while playing with plenty of passion.
Maybe there’s something to be gained, an advantage to be mined, from what Redick and his staff were watching Thursday. In a summer where the coaches and the young players are all that’s new, the Lakers better hope there is.
As the Lakers’ young players led a fourth-quarter comeback, their draft picks all made plays.
James scored on a sweeping left-handed hook and hit a stepback 3 off the dribble, maybe his biggest highlight in Vegas. And Knecht’s cutting and foul-drawing led to easy fourth-quarter points.
The Lakers finish their Summer League schedule Saturday against Chicago.
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