JJ Redick and some of his new coaching staff sat on the sidelines Thursday in Las Vegas, with the Lakers’ key youngsters showing elements of why the team values them.
The result – another Summer League victory and some critical silencing – was momentary. Maybe there was something more in the 93-89 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
From the jump, Lakers first-rounder Dalton Knecht hit a three and attacked the rim with an athletic two-handed dunk. It all reinforced that he can score – something the team and Redick will likely try to incorporate this season.
Knecht scored 20 and grabbed seven rebounds, looking like a piece the Lakers could try to use sooner rather than later.
Bronny James, yet another long-term development project, has shown the mid-range and rim attacking skills that can help offset a three-point shooting that is still in the making.
He finished with 13 points on 50% shooting.
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Maxwell Lewis played a more complementary game while showing the elite tools that made the Lakers value him a season ago.
Sophomore center Colin Castleton fired beautiful passes to cutters, a skill that could help separate him from other big men. French debutant Armel Traore had his best game of the summer, using his physicality and motor to make plays on both ends. And rookie Blake Hinson showed he’s willing to try to stretch the court with his shots while playing with a lot of passion.
Perhaps there is something to be gained, an advantage to be exploited, based on what Redick and his team watched on Thursday. In a summer where coaches and young players are everything again, the Lakers better hope they do.
While the team’s young players led the fourth-quarter comeback, all of their draft picks made plays.
James scored on a left-handed hook and hit a stepback three off the dribble, perhaps his biggest highlight in Las Vegas. And Knecht’s cuts and hits led to easy points in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers wrap up their Summer League schedule on Saturday against Chicago.
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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
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