For players not guaranteed a roster spot, NBA Summer League in Las Vegas isn’t just an audition for the team whose uniform is on a player’s back. It’s a stage to show ability to all 30 teams in the league.
That’s good news for Cole Swider and Darius Bazley, who are both suiting up for the Lakers this month.
Swider continued his sharpshooting ways on Saturday night, while Bazley showed his all-around capabilities.
In L.A.’s win over the Pelicans, Swider had 21 points, including 4-for-9 from 3-point range. He added 10 rebounds and four assists for good measure.
Bazley stole the show defensively with five blocks. He also put up 12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. If not for 4-for-12 from the foul line, Bazley would’ve done even better.
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Swider is more of the career-long journeyman type after going undrafted out of Syracuse.
Bazley was a first-round pick and spent legitimate time as a Thunder starter before falling out of consistent belief.
Both would potentially help the Lakers if the cards fell their way.
But both would also sign pretty quickly with other teams if the Lakers let them go.
Now it’s a matter of who wants to do what and when they want to do it.
But clearly, Swider and Bazley have proven they belong in the NBA, if someone will give them that chance.
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