Lakers are LOCKED IN Entering Training Camp and Here’s What to EXPECT! Lakers Training Camp Preview!

Lakers are LOCKED IN Entering Training Camp and Here’s What to EXPECT! Lakers Training Camp Preview!

[Music] All right, tomorrow is finally media day. The Lakers will be back on the court and giving us a preview of what they might look like. No, unfortunately not practicing yet. That will come on Tuesday with the opening of training camp. But they will be wearing their purple and gold or maybe their gold and yellow, giving us a hint and preview what they’ll look like. talking about what they’ve been working on throughout the summer, how their individual workouts been going, and talking about many of the things that both JJ Reic and Rob Planka talked about during their introductory press conference. So, with that in mind, we’re going to preview training camp, talk about the biggest story lines to be had, and to talk about entering training camp, talk about individuals, the entire team, and much, much more. So, we’re going to talk about that and go through five story lines during today’s video. And well to begin, I think it’s only right to talk about the new additions. That was probably one of, if not the biggest talking point from Rob Pinka and JJ Regg during their press conference talking about Marcus Smart, DeAndre, those two more than anyone, but also Jake the Rabia and Lakers bookie ado. And well, if you’re talking about their new additions, I think it’s only right to start with DeAndre, the guy that’s likely to take on the biggest role of their new additions, likely to tender their starting lineup and replace Hayes within it. Likely to play 28 to maybe 32 minutes per game for their team. If he can be committed and get back to the version of himself that he once was back with the Phoenix Suns, for example, the early days that he played with them, not his final year and not the past two years with Portland. get back to the committed two-way player that can make an impact on both ends of the court. That’s the version they need of him and that’s the version that he’s striving to bring back too. I mean, I think he definitely has motivation to do it. Not only to prove the narratives wrong and be a valuable piece for their team, which could potentially be a championship team if himself and their new additions really bring what they want and what the team needs, but the fact that he’s entering a contract year, too. I think that’s plenty of motivation for him, not only kind of getting back to that level, but definitely something that he doesn’t want to have to do for very long here. After all, he took a contract buyout and took a pay cut to go to their team of his $35 million salary that he was owed, now getting an $8 million salary to play with their team. And that’s something that he does want to continually do longterm. He does have a player option for next season, but I imagine that he wants to get back to a 30 to $35 million per year kind of contract if he can at least above 20 million and kind of shooting for that range again, getting at least one big contract left in his NBA career. And that’s what he’s thriving to prove that he can get back to that value, get back to that level of impact. And he’s kind of showed early and often here, too, even at the beginning of training camp. If JJ Reic is going to trust him and fully believe in him to finish games for their team, then he’s got to prove it early and often, not only offensively, not only being a lob threat and great pick and roll partner for Luca Donuch and LeBron, but defensely maybe to be a defensive anchorish. You know, I’m not going to expect him to be a dominant force in the middle for them. Not going to expect him to block two shots per game and be a top 10 defensive player of the year candidate, but I’m expecting him to be a positive impact player for them on defense. That’s something that JJ Regg is definitely looking for. Definitely something that their team is relying on and really needs from him. That’s what I’m expecting here in the early outlook here for DeAndre. Commitment, defense, and really the full energized force of DeAndre on the court for their team in the middle. But then for Marcus Smart, I think this one’s a bit easier. I mean, I think they know what they’re going to get from Marcus Smart if he’s healthy. Anyway, that’s something to really watch with him after two injury prone years in a row here, not hitting the 40 mark in either year. You know, even Reic talked about it, their medical staff working with Marcus Smart to get him back to what he once was and the version of himself that he wants to get back to. I think that’s probably the biggest and main thing to watch with him. Is he healthy? Is he the former version of himself that can be a defensive player of the year level player? Even apart from that, potentially a 3 and D or two-way player for them. That’s kind of the early outlook here with Marcus Smart as I’m never going to question his commitment, never going to question his ability to make an impact on defense, never going to question his leadership or vocalness on the court. That’s pretty much all a given here with Marcus Smart. The only question being his durability and health at this point. But after Marcus Smart for Jake Theavia here, definitely more of a question and kind of a open range of opportunity with Jake the Rabia. I mean, he could be an eighth or seventh man the rotation. He could maybe climb his way up to being a six-man the rotation. He could maybe break out and eventually crack their starting lineup. I don’t really expect that throughout training camp, but definitely has a wide range of opportunity. Only 23 years old yet and definitely does have untapped potential. And depending on how quickly he unlocks it and how quickly he can gain the trust from JJ Reic, that will help him get that opportunity, too. So, definitely watching that here with Jake Theabia. Can he maintain his three-point shooting from last year? Can he be consistent on defense? and show that throughout training camp. That’s something that I’m watching for, something that Reic is watching for and really expecting from Jake the Rabia as they don’t have another big 3 and option in their rotation or even a guy that can really realistically get to that point. That’s what he’s hoping for here with Jake the Rabia. Then finally for Lakers rookie to do Theo, you know, not a ton of expectations with him quite yet. I’d love for him to simply make an impact on defense and maybe be an injury replacement for if Jared Vanderbilt gets hurt. If somebody’s simply resting or whatever it might be here and there, maybe a situational kind of matchup if he can do that and if he can show that he can be trusted by JJ Reic. If he can be a bit better than we think on offense and maybe if he improved his three-point shot a bit. That’s something to watch here with the Diro. But there’s definitely not much pressure on him quite yet. Overall though, I think that will be story line number one to follow. simply their new additions and the early impact they make or potentially will be able to make or not make. That’s kind of what I’d look to follow here with them. But then for storyline number two, I would kind of point to who might be the odd man now within the rotation. After all, JJ Rag does run a pretty tight rotation that can tend to switch up every now and again. You know, will it be a 10-man rotation? Will it be a 9-man rotation? Even as small as an eight-man rotation. If that would come to it, then there might be multiple players out. But early speculation is that he will run a 10-man rotation for more of an early evaluation and to give a few more guys an early opportunity. That probably is the early plan for him. Though even with a 10-man rotation, that will leave a couple of guys out. Might be a guy like Dalton Connect. Might be a guy like Maxiba. Might even be a guy like Gabe Vincent. And between the three of them, they might be fighting for that tense spot at least more of a regular spot within the rotation. Again, matchup dependent. They might gain opportunity here and there, but if they’re trying to be in the everyame rotation, that might be the last spot up for grabs here. So, what it will come down to is who can be the most reliable option, who can impress JJ Reic the most throughout training camp, and who can be the best version of a two-way player for them. Something that Reic has really hinted at and definitely wants more of on their team. So, between the three of them, it definitely could be an open battle in open competition. I think that Gabe Vincent might be the safest option, is the best version of a reliable two-way option. No, he’s not incredible offensively or defensively, but he is average to above average in both areas. Shooting 35.3% from three last season, playing average to above average defense throughout the entire regular season, being a solid point of attack defender, a pretty solid defensive playmaker, and simply a decent offball player in general. I think he’d probably be the best bet to get that 10th spot, be the last regular player in the rotation, but there definitely is upside and definitely opportunity for both Dalton Connect and Maxiba here too. Definitely calling Maxiba the dark horse and kind of the wild card for it. You know, I think many have understandably forgotten about him and really haven’t thought much of him. After all, he didn’t play a regular season game or minute for their team last season despite coming over with the trade for Luca Donuch playing five minutes during the postseason in their elimination game five game. But he doesn’t really have much to show for it in a Laker jersey quite yet. Has been hurt regularly throughout the past 3 years now. So, can he get back to being a healthy, reliable option and potentially a rotation option? Maybe. And the pathway for him is definitely what he can offer that other guys can’t offer in their front court. both a guy that can play at the five for them offensively, defensively, offer some rim protection, some switchability and versatility on defense, then with a three-point shot, too. If he can show that throughout training camp, and if he can prove that he is the guy that can do what other guys can’t, then there might be a viable pathway for him to get that final spot. Though, in my opinion, he’s probably more of a matchup option and matchup dependent guy for them. Then for Dalton, connect definitely has the highest upside here, but probably the lowest floor. I mean, not really being a reliable option, especially not defensively, but can absolutely shoot the lights out and even dropped a few 30-point games last season, was one of, if not their best three-point shooter for a short time, even starting at 16 games to their team, in which he averaged nearly 17 points per game. You know, it’s definitely a tossup here. And if you don’t have Dton connecting your rotation, you might feel weird about it. But if you’re trying to make the most reliable rotation, the best option for a championship contender that has two-way options and guys that can be relied on every game, then he might unfortunately be out of the rotation, at least in the early portion of the regular season. Though then again, there was some optimism expressed regarding Dalton Connect directly from JJ Reic, saying that Daltton Connect simply overworked himself and that he didn’t look right throughout Summer League because of it, and that he’s confident in Connect getting back to where he once was. And here’s what Reic had to say about it. Jay, um, Dalton is a guy that you guys were really high on when you drafted him. Um, admittedly a weird end to last season, weird summer league. Um, what have your conversations been like with him this off season, or what have you seen from him in the gym that makes you confident that he could get back to the guy he was at the beginning of last season? Dalton’s in a really good spot right now. I’ve had a number of conversations with him throughout the summer. They’ve all been very positive. I I really believe this. The guy did too much after the season. Um and and I think in summer league, he was he was burnt out. He was coming in here at 5:00 a.m. getting shots up, then doing two workouts with, you know, our summer league staff and the in the weight room. Um, you know, we we had our last conditioning run of the of the preseason uh today and you know, he beat everybody by a long long way. He he’s in phenomenal shape. He’s in a great spot mentally. He’s played well uh throughout September. And well, I definitely think that’ll be an interesting storyline to watch play out. Will it be Dalton connect? Will it be Maxi Kibba? Or will it be Gabe Vincent to capture that final rotation spot? I guess we’ll find out. Though apart from the final rotation spot and not only both the rotation but their starting lineup, I think this will be another story line to watch play out. Who will be the final or maybe final two guys in there apart from Luca Donuch, LeBron and Deion Drayton. The three of which I think are guaranteed in my opinion. I think that Austin Reeves is pretty close to a guarantee for that fourth spot. You know, whether you want to argue fit or not, I think by status, the production, and how much belief he has from JJ Reic, and then I guess the fact that he’s entering a contract year, I think that he’s pretty much guaranteed to get that for his spot. Though, I think that Rui Hatchimar is not guaranteed to do it from the fit, from kind of the situation their defense is in and the balance of their overall rotation. I think there will be a fight for that fifth spot in their starting lineup. And while I’m not expecting it to change during training camp, I think the seed may be planted for it to change throughout training camp. If JJ Ray sees something from maybe a Marcus Smart, maybe a Jake Arabia, maybe a Jared Vanderbilt, then he might get the early idea to eventually change it. If this starting lineup doesn’t give him what he wants and what their team needs and to balance out the rotation, too. I personally think they will begin the year with Luca Donic, LeBron James, Austin Reeves, Rui Hachimra, and DeAndre though within five to 10 games and this would be what they did last season. It took them eight games to go to a different starting lineup. If it’s not working in that time frame and if Reic thinks they need a change, I think that he will look to make one with one of those three options. Again, either Jake the Ravia, Marcus Smart, and or Jared Vanderbilt. with both Marcus Smart and Vanderbilt being the early favorites in my opinion. If Hashimura isn’t giving them what they need, if their defense simply isn’t working and they can’t show improvement with that fiveman opening lineup, then I think he will look to insert either Jared Vanderbilt or Marcus Smart for a boost on defense. After all, I don’t think anyone’s worried about their offense with Luca Donuch with LeBron James with likely DeAndre and Austin Reeves. They have plenty of offense, plenty of playmaking, plenty of three-point shooting, plenty of creation, and even a lob threat, but they don’t have much defense. So, if it comes down to it, and if they can’t show improvement on defense, then I think Marcus Smart or Jared Vanderbilt will eventually crawl into that, which again might kind of be planted throughout training camp. But then for a fourth story line to follow, I’d simply point to their health and durability at this point. I mean, to my knowledge, and from what JJ Regg talked about, at least given that he’s not lying to cover something up, their entire team is healthy entering training camp. Again, believe it or not, their entire team appears to be healthy entering training camp. Really, the first time in recent memory I can actually remember that happening. I mean, last year, for example, Jared Vanderville was hurt. The year prior to that, Gabe Vincent really got hurt right away. Prior to that, Dennis Shooter got hurt. Even going earlier before that point, many and many more guys got hurt either during training camp, before training camp in an offseason workout or were recovering from an injury from the prior year. But apparently that’s not the case this year. Their entire team is healthy or pretty damn close to it entering training camp and that is a great opportunity for their team. I mean unlimited options within the rotation. Guys can be shuffled around because they’re healthy and not working through an injury or trying to work their way back from it. That gives JJR a ton of options and a ton of viability to choose from too. However, looking at their injury history, I definitely am a bit weary about them. I mean, last season alone, all four of Jared Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, Maxiba, and DeAndre Tinfield hit the 45 game mark. In fact, all four of them did not hit the 100 game mark in the past two years combined now. So, they got to stay healthy, got to be reliable options both off the court and on the court for their team. Got to be able to stay on the court to actually give them production. And that’s definitely something to follow throughout training camp. Yes, they’re entering it healthy, but can they remain healthy not only throughout training camp, but then preseason going into the regular season? Can they remain healthy and prove their recent injury history wrong? I’m definitely hoping so, but it is something to watch and follow here. But then for a fifth and final story line to follow, I’d simply point to their vacant two-way contract. And yes, they do have a vacant 15-man roster spot, but they currently cannot fill it due to being too close to the First Apron. They can’t fill it until roughly January at this point. So, the final player they can sign is a two-way contract player. And pointing to their training camp roster with the guys that are assigned to training camp deals, potentially a guy like RJ Davis, Augustus Marcelonus, maybe a Kyler Kelly or Eric Dixon. The fifth one kind of shuffling between a few different guys in the past 5 days now. So, not even sure I want to mention a name quite yet. But between those four, can they win the two-way contract? Can one stand out from the others and potentially get the two-way contract? I’m hoping it’s from their team instead of a different team. But for the early favorite between them, I definitely would point Derek Dixon. Probably the biggest standout last year from college, leading his team, Villanova in scoring, not to mention being the all-time leading scorer at Villanova University. Definitely a true three-level scoring option. Definitely a great three-point shooting option. A guy with good size at 6’8 or maybe 6’9 on a good day. is able to play the four, you know, maybe a little bit of five in a small ball lineup, though he definitely has work to do on defense. Or then for a different option, like a Kyler Kelly, for example, the oldest option between them, the only one with actual NBA background, playing a few games with the Dallas Mavericks last year, briefly on a two-way contract. So maybe he can get back to that. Maybe he can be their third center option if you’d eventually beat out Christian Koko. Maybe if you’d even impress more than Jackson Hayes, which I really doubt. But hey, maybe there’s a pathway for him and maybe he can get that two-way contract. Though, if neither of them, then maybe R.J. Davis or Augustus Marcelonus, you know, I think it definitely will be tough for them with them already having a backcourt player under a two-way contract. That player being Chris Mannon with them having a lot of backcourt depth in general on their actual team. Definitely will be tough for them, but maybe not impossible. If they’re able to stand out with their point of attack defense, their three-point shooting, their playmaking and ball handling ability, ability to read the defense, then maybe they could get it and maybe from a combination of all of that, too. Overall here though, between the vacant two-way contract, everyone staying healthy and remaining healthy, their starting lineup and the options they have with it, their rotation and who might be the odd man out, and then simply their new additions. I think those are some of the biggest story lines to follow and watch play out throughout training camp and probably what JJ Reic will be watching closely, too. So, with all of that being said, what do you guys think? What are some of your favorite story lines to watch play out? What are you expecting from the Lakers throughout training camp? And what are you simply hoping for? Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below. But I think that’ll pretty much do it for this one. And if you enjoyed the video, then I would greatly appreciate it if you dropped a like, subscribe to the channel if you have not already, and hit that notification bell to never miss out when I upload a video. But as always, thank you for watching and have a great day or night. [Music]

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