For the past few years there have been three locations that host Summer League tournaments: Orlando, Utah, and Las Vegas. The biggest of the three, and the only one that the Los Angeles Lakers have participated in, has been the one in Vegas.
Summer League has become more popular than ever recently, as it is the first chance to get a look at the top rookies every year. Additionally, it offers an opportunity to see some familiar names, either NBA veterans or former big-name college players, looking to catch on with a team.
It now looks as if the city of Sacramento is getting into the act as Ben Dowsett of The Athletic reports that a new Summer League will be beginning in the capital of California this year and the Lakers are expected to be one of the participants:
League sources: In addition to tournaments in Las Vegas and Utah, the NBA plans to introduce a 2018 Sacramento Summer League. The event is tentatively scheduled to include the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) May 6, 2018
The Lakers should have a pretty formidable roster for Summer League this year. Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma won’t participate, but Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant both will.
Two-way contract players Alex Caruso and Gary Payton II should also be on the team and Travis Wear and Andre Ingram, who each finished the year with the Lakers, would seem to be likely inclusions as well.
Of course the Lakers also have two draft picks this year, 25th and 47th overall, and both players would be on the team, assuming the organization keeps both picks.
Last year brought the Lakers their first ever Summer League Championship in Las Vegas as Lonzo won MVP and Kuzma did the same for the Championship Game. This summer the Lakers will be looking to defend their title and possibly add some new summer hardware to the collection.
Ball and Kuzma were previously ruled out as potential participants.
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