Svi Mykhailiuk is excited to play with ‘the best player in the world,’ LeBron James

The chance to play with LeBron James probably sounds like an exciting prospect for just about anyone that grew up watching him, but getting to do it in their first year in the NBA and with the Lakers? That sounds like the type of news that would make some people pinch themselves to make sure they’re not dreaming, so no wonder Svi Mykhailiuk is thrilled.

Mykhailiuk told AS.com (as translated by Eurohoops.net) that he already spoke with James “a few weeks ago,” and it sounds like that meeting only got him more pumped to play with the man Mykhailiuk considers the best player on the planet (h/t Lakers Reddit):

“It’s great to be able to play with him. What can I say? He’s the best player in the world and has a lot of knowledge of the game. I’ll try to learn from him as much as I can,” Mykhailiuk said to AS.

Mykhailiuk actually met James a few weeks ago. “He didn’t tell me anything special. He seemed like a pretty normal person to me and I hope to be a good teammate of him,” he added.

It’s unclear how much of a chance Mykhailiuk will actually get to play with James — especially right off the bat — because of a crowded Lakers wing rotation that also includes Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, possibly Kyle Kuzma and even James himself.

Mykhailiuk told AS that he understands that, and he just wants to help the team however possible:

Regarding his goals for the upcoming season, Mykhailiuk was quite clear. “It’s my first year. I want to help the team in any way I can, whether I play or not. Above all, I want to be a good teammate.”

As has been noted plenty of times on this site and elsewhere over the summer, the Lakers aren’t as lacking in 3-point shooting as many seem to think, but they also aren’t exactly stuffed with players known for their marksmanship, either. Mykhailiuk is one such player, however, and if he can even somewhat approximate the type of play he showed in a Las Vegas Summer League in which he looked like the Lakers’ latest draft steal, he might be able to earn some minutes.

Mykhailiuk would instantly provide more spacing for James and others to get to the bucket because his man can’t leave him, and if the defense did help off of Mykhailiuk, it’s a safe bet that James would find him so the rookie could make their opponents pay.

With training camp starting next week, we’ll soon get a look at just how well Mykhailiuk can fit alongside James, and if the pair will become a rotation fixture this season, If not, it sounds like Mykhailiuk is taking the right attitude about it, and ready to help the team in any way possible while learning as much as he can from watching and practicing with one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Either way, not a bad way to spend a rookie season.

You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.