The NBA Las Vegas Summer League, sponsored by Samsung, will kick off on July 11 with 67 games to be played over the 11-day event. All 67 games will be televised live by the NBA Network. The Los Angeles Lakers will participate in the event with their lineup likely featuring whoever they select with the 7th pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Aaron Gordon of Arizona, Indiana’s Noah Vonleh, Kentucky’s Julius Randle and Dante Exum of Australia are potential Lakers targets in the upcoming draft, one of the deepest drafts in years. Other Lakers expected to participate in the summer league are center, Robert Sacre, forward Ryan Kelly, and guard Kendall Marshall. The Lakers will kick off summer league play with a matchup versus the Toronto Raptors on July 11th, followed by games with the New Orleans Pelicans and Golden State Warriors.
Last season the Raptors featured Jonas Valanciunas, the 2013 Las Vegas Summer League MVP. The Raptor’s big man’s performance in the summer league was a springboard to a successful 2013-2014 season, including a playoff appearance for the Raptors. The Laker’s summer league roster will be announced closer to the event, as will the head coach of the Lakers team. Last season Lakers assistant coach Dan D’Antoni coached the team but is no longer with the organization after taking the head coaching job with Marshall University. The Lakers have yet to announce a replacement for Mike D’Antoni, the younger brother of Dan, who was let go after the Laker’s tough 2013-2014 season. Several names have been rumored in the Laker’s coaching decision. Still, the franchise has purportedly delayed deciding until the end of the NBA season when they’ll better understand the future of Miami Heat star Lebron James. With available cap space, the Lakers can sign Lebron James, although most experts feel James heading to the Lakers is extremely unlikely.
Last season the Lakers finished 3-2 in the summer league with Marcus Landry leading the team in scoring. They’ll have a vastly different roster this summer with Robert Sacre likely the only returning player. The Lakers will participate in a tournament following the opening three games to determine the winner. Last season the Golden State Warriors defeated the Phoenix Suns in the title game, 91-77 behind 33 points off the bench from Ian Clark who ended up on the Utah Jazz roster this past season. Tickets for the NBA Summer League are on sale now, so if you’re looking for a great getaway with some sun, and fun and to get your basketball fix, then shoot out to Las Vegas to catch some up-close basketball at great prices. Usually, you can walk up and get tickets at the door. Chris M.
