Lakers Rumors: The expected impact of each incoming rookie this season

Josh Hart

The Lakers truly did draft a special player in former Villanova star Josh Hart. After the trading of D’Angelo Russell, many fans seemed like they didn’t know what to do. Russell was seeming like he’d be filling in as the full time two guard with Lonzo Ball in town, but that won’t happen.

Instead, that starting spot will be given to Jordan Clarkson unless Luke Walton sees it fit to play out otherwise. With a strong summer performance, Hart can push all the possible buttons to get in as a starter.

Chances are, though, that he’ll start the season coming off of the bench behind Clarkson or somebody else. In just over 22 minutes per game, Hart is currently averaged ten points and four boards.

For a first year guard, those aren’t bad numbers, but they’ll need to improve for him to be worthy of starting. He’s going to have a little extra chip on his shoulder no matter what people say simply because of the role he fulfills.

Thanks to the excitement we hope to see from the Lakers in general, Hart could be the biggest difference between playoffs or an early off-season. Hart seems like he’ll be the kind of player that can go off once he’s comfortable.

At the next level, that’s unheard of for a rookie to be able to zone in like that. Depending on how quickly he can adjust to the game, he could be a dark horse contender for rookie of the year.