Los Angeles Lakers: Three effects of Josh Hart’s great Summer League
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make it two consecutive Summer League titles off of a dominant performance from second-year guard Josh Hart.
Josh Hart really came into his own last season with the Los Angeles Lakers when starting point guard, Lonzo Ball, missed time with injury. Hart was given more freedom and time on the court and the results were evident. Hart looked like one of the most talented players on the Lakers before fracturing his hand and missing time of his own.
Heading into the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Hart was one of the most compelling players to watch. Fellow second-year players Kyle Kuzma and Ball did not participate in the league. The only other players to really watch on the team were rookies Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.
Both rookies have performed nicely in their first dose of NBA action and have given the fans and coaching staff some great takeaways. However, it has been Hart that has been the star of the summer.
Hart is averaging 24.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this summer on 47 percent shooting. In the semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Hart dropped 37 points and nine rebounds to lead LA to a double-overtime victory.
This performance, although the Summer League is not as competitive, cannot be ignored. Thus, here are the three most likely effects of Hart’s great summer.