Summer League in Las Vegas is usually a fever dream of neon lights, overpriced tallboys, and hopeful fans squinting at box scores to see if a second-round pick is actually the next Manu Ginobili. But honestly? The most recent Lakers game summer league slate felt like something else entirely. It wasn't just about the wins or the record—which, let's be real, wasn't exactly stellar at 1-4 in the Vegas stretch. It was about the weird, high-stakes pressure cooker surrounding a roster that looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a few missing pieces.
Vegas is where the hype goes to get tested. For the Lakers, that meant all eyes were on the "Year 2" guys and the undrafted flyers trying to catch JJ Redick's eye.
The Bronny James Experiment: Year Two Growth
Let's just address the elephant in the room immediately. Nobody in the history of the #55 pick has ever carried more weight than Bronny James. Last summer was a whirlwind of "is he actually ready?" and "is this just a legacy play?" By the time we got to the 2025 Lakers game summer league matchups, the conversation shifted.
He looked more comfortable. You could see it in how he picked up ball handlers 94 feet. In the California Classic game against the Spurs, he had a rough night on the stat sheet—scoring only two points on 1-of-5 shooting—but the Lakers still managed an 89-88 comeback win. That’s the thing about Summer League; the box score often lies. Bronny’s value came in the stuff that doesn't show up in the morning paper. His screen navigation and his ability to force turnovers off the inbound were noticeably sharper.
Then came the Dallas game.
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The tickets for the Lakers vs. Mavericks matchup on July 10, 2025, skyrocketed. Why? Because the world wanted to see Bronny face off against the #1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg. It was a joust. Bronny finished with 8 points, including a smooth three-pointer that sent the Thomas & Mack Center into a frenzy. Flagg got his, of course, but Bronny didn't back down. That kind of defensive grit is basically his ticket to a rotation spot.
The Adou Thiero "What If"
The Lakers moved up nearly 20 spots in the 2025 draft to snag Adou Thiero at #36. Rob Pelinka was practically glowing when he talked about Thiero’s first-round grade from the scouting department.
Then, the bummer news hit.
Thiero sat out the Lakers game summer league run with a left knee injury he brought with him from Arkansas. It felt like a gut punch for fans wanting to see that 6’7” athletic wing versatility in person. Without him, the Lakers lacked that specific "connector" on the wing. You could see the hole he left in the transition game. The team was basically forced to lean on veteran Summer League presences like Cole Swider to carry the offensive load.
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Standouts Who Actually Might Make the Team
If you weren't watching the New Orleans game on July 12, you missed arguably the best team performance of the summer. The Lakers crushed the Pelicans 94-81. The weirdest stat? The Pelicans had only 6 assists as a team. The Lakers? They had 27.
- Cole Swider: The man is a flamethrower. He dropped 21 against New Orleans and 20 against Miami. When Dalton Knecht was sidelined or resting, Swider was the clear "1A" option. His movement shooting is NBA-ready, even if his defensive footwork is still a work in progress.
- Darius Bazley: He played like a man who has already been in the league (because he has). In that dramatic comeback against the Spurs, Bazley was everywhere, finishing with 27 points and 13 rebounds. His putback dunk with 13 seconds left was the highlight of the week.
- RJ Davis: The undrafted guard from North Carolina didn't have the easiest time adjusting to the length of NBA defenders, but his vision is legit. He's a tiny 6’0”, but he plays with a lot of "pop."
Why the Celtics Loss Stung
Losing to Boston is never fun, even in July. On July 17, the Celtics took down the Lakers 87-78. Jordan Walsh and Kenneth Lofton Jr. basically bullied the Lakers' interior. Bronny had 18 points in that one, which was his high-water mark for the summer. He was assertive, looking for his own shot, and facilitating for others with 5 assists.
The problem? Depth. The Lakers' bench in Vegas was thin. By the time they played the Nuggets on July 18—a 106-84 blowout loss—the team looked gassed. Reyne Smith and Curtis Jones for Denver were just faster and more cohesive. It was a reminder that while the Lakers have some shiny individual pieces, the developmental roster still has a ways to go.
Realities of the 2025 Summer Roster
It's easy to get caught up in the "Flagg vs. Bronny" hype, but let's talk about the actual basketball being played. The Lakers utilized Christian Koloko as a passing big, which was a fascinating wrinkle. It hints at what JJ Redick might want to do with the main roster—using the center as a hub to manipulate the floor.
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The shooting, however, was a bit of a rollercoaster. Aside from Swider and occasional bursts from Dalton Knecht, the Lakers struggled to space the floor. Knecht had a nice flurry against the Spurs, hitting back-to-back threes to ignite that comeback, but consistency was the ghost they couldn't catch.
Takeaways for the Regular Season
What did we actually learn from this Lakers game summer league cycle?
First, Adou Thiero is going to be a project, but his absence in Vegas proved how much they need a defensive-minded wing. Second, Bronny James isn't going to be an offensive engine anytime soon, but his "3-and-D" floor is looking more solid every month. His confidence in the pick-and-roll is growing. Lindsey Harding, the Lakers' summer coach, mentioned that his decision-making was the biggest "jump" she saw.
Honestly, the summer is for overreacting. But looking at how this group moved the ball—27 assists on 34 makes against New Orleans—you can see the fingerprints of the new coaching staff. They want to move. They want to share.
What to do now
If you followed the Vegas run closely, the next step is monitoring the South Bay Lakers. Most of these guys, including RJ Davis and potentially Eric Dixon, will be spending significant time in El Segundo. Keep an eye on the injury report for Adou Thiero as training camp approaches in September. His recovery is the most important "off-court" story for the rookie class. Also, watch for the team to potentially convert someone like Cole Swider to a more permanent roster spot if his shooting continues to be this undeniable during preseason.
The Summer League is officially over, but the actual work for this roster is just starting.