Heading into the NBA Summer League last summer, the Los Angeles Lakers were expected to make an impression with rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell leading the way. Although the Lakers were able to draw a crowd in Las Vegas, the team filled with promising young talent struggled with only one win in five games played.
With such a poor showing last year in the Summer League, head coach Byron Scott hopes his young core will be motivated to play again come July via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
“I would think they would want to play just for the fact we won only one game,” said Scott, referring to the team’s 1-4 record last year. “You’d want to come in and say we’re a much better now than we were then.”
At this point, it is uncertain whether any of the team’s talented trio will be on the Summer League roster. Russell may be a safe bet with it being only his second year with the team, but it would be the third appearance for Randle and Clarkson.
Randle doesn’t know who’ll be playing for the Lakers during the NBA Summer League, but does see how it would be beneficial for the squad, via Medina:
“It’ll build chemistry for the guys.”
In the meantime, Russell and company will look to finish the 2015-16 NBA season on a high note. Only 13 games remain for the Lakers with the majority of those games being played at the Staples Center.
After four consecutive losses, the Lakers look to rebound as they host the Memphis Grizzlies on March 22 at Staples Center.