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After being delayed due to COVID-19 last year, the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas will return this summer. On Wednesday, the NBA and Lakers announced the schedules with games starting on Aug. 8 and running through Aug. 17. Each team will play four games before tournament play begins. Every side will play at least five games.
The Lakers will open on Sunday, Aug. 8 against the Suns with the game slated for ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. PST. The Lakers will then play the Knicks on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 7:00 p.m. PST on ESPN2, the Clippers on Friday, Aug. 13 at 7:00 p.m. PST on NBA TV and will wrap up with the Pistons On Saturday, Aug. 14 on ESPN2.
Bringing that summer heat #LakeShow x @Verizon pic.twitter.com/16ZB861DUG
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 28, 2021
This year, the Lakers’ Summer League team will almost certainly not resemble those of previous title-winning years. With just one pick in this year’s draft — No. 22 overall — after having no draft picks last year, the roster would be comprised almost entirely of undrafted free agents. On top of that, after no G League season last year, the Lakers have very few players in-house they would include on the team.
Devontae Cacok is one of the few names on the 2019 Summer League roster still connected to the franchise. After his strong play in Las Vegas and in the G League, Cacok earned a two-way contract. Given his lack of playtime in the past two years, he could potentially be included on the roster.
Depending on what transactions the Lakers make on Thursday in the NBA draft, there could be multiple players from the upcoming draft on the roster. While the Lakers only have one draft pick, reports have suggested the team could look to trade out of the first round, which could net them multiple second-round picks.
No matter what the Lakers roster looks like, the Summer League is always one of the more events of the year and signals a return back to normalcy this year.
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