The 2023 NBA Summer League is now in the books, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to flash their potential and possibly earn a spot in the big leagues.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects that are looking to get some playing time with their big league squad and those who are fighting for a spot somewhere in the league.
Cole Swider was on their summer league team this month for the second year in a row, and once again, he proved that he possesses a skill set that no team can have too much of. It’s certainly one the Lakers seem to need more of.
Swider threw in fireballs from downtown throughout summer league play
Last summer, Swider, an undrafted 6-foot-9 forward, impressed many with his long-range shooting accuracy, and this summer was no different.
He started out by hitting 3-of-6 treys in the first game of the California Classic, and he went 4-of-7 from that distance in the second contest.
Once play continued in Las Vegas, Swider continued to stay hot from beyond the arc. He shot under 33.3 percent from 3-point range in just one game this summer, and he finished summer league play with 21 points on 7-of-11 overall shooting and 5-of-9 from downtown versus the Los Angeles Clippers.
"SWIDERMAN"
Cole Swider up to 20 PTS after knocking down his 5th triple 🔥#NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/CHzlDbcvUP
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2023
Overall, he shot 42.5 percent on 8.0 3-point attempts a game in the five contests the Lakers played in Las Vegas.
What makes Swider’s shooting ability unique is the fact that he not only hits shots when he’s open but that he also connects from the outside on contested shots. That’s a skill that is always in demand in the NBA, where defenses will stick to good 3-point shooters like flypaper and force them to hit tough shots with regularity.
He is currently on a two-way contract, and perhaps the key to him earning meaningful playing time with the big-league Lakers is becoming a passable rebounder and defender. If he does, he could make things a little easier on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Final Grade: A
