After appearing in the California League Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers moved to the desert and played their first game of the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League on Friday night.
The Lakers have additional games in Las Vegas on July 11, 14 and 16, then a fifth game that will be scheduled at a later time. Coupled with the three contests the Lakers played at the Chase Center for the California Classic, it’s providing an opportunity for assistant coach, player development Ty Abbott.
Lakers Summer League head coach
Abbott is with the Summer League Lakers for a second consecutive year as he was an assistant on Lindsey Harding’s staff. Now Abbott is getting an opportunity to lead a team for the first time.
Abbott was first hired by the Lakers under head coach JJ Redick before the start of the 2024-25 season. He joined the organization as the lead Lakers player development coach.
Prior to that, Abbott was a player development coach for the Chicago Bulls from 2020-24. He also filled a player development role for one season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Abbott’s leap into coaching took off after his overseas professional career ended. He had some crossover with Redick during their time together in Philadelphia.
Working alongside Abbott on the Lakers Summer League coaching staff are Michael Wexler, Justin Robinson, Zach Guthrie, Perry Huang, Liam Flynn, Drew Seifert, Gerdarius Troutman, Lucas Vargas and Tevin Falzon.
During the regular season, Abbott is often found pouring over film with Lakers players, including Bronny James, and helping put the likes of Luka Doncic through a pregame workout.
Abbott getting an opportunity to coach the Summer League Lakers heightens his player development skillset considering the team’s vested interest in developing 2026 Draft pick Cameron Carr, and two-way players Peter Suder, Chris Mañon and AK Okereke.
Also with the team this summer is Adou Thiero, who is focused on improving heading into his second season rather than a potential roster opportunity that may present itself dependent on how the rest of the offseason unfolds.
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