Image Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

3 Impressive Lakers Summer League Players Who Could Make the Main Roster

The Lakers front office keeps a close watch on Summer League performances

Image Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers still have time before finalizing their 2025-26 roster, but the clock is quietly ticking behind the scenes. Their offseason strategy is currently in limbo due to the uncertainty revolving around LeBron James and to a certain extent Austin Reaves.

The NBA allows 15 active players on a roster, with three additional places booked for two-way contract players. The lakers will be closely monitoring the NBA Summer League to determine who those three players will be in the next season’s active roster. We look at the likely players.

Cole Swider

Cole Swider went undrafted in 2022, but the Lakers brought him into the fold shortly after. The youngster played just seven games and has been moving between franchises for some time now. He has also featured for the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and the Miami Heat in the previous two seasons.

Cole Swider in 4 Summer League games:

24 PTS, 8 REB
20 PTS, 3 REB
15 PTS, 4 REB
22 PTS, 10 REB

Should the Lakers sign him? 👀 pic.twitter.com/it2SQDIKZs
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 11, 2025

His NBA minutes have been limited, but his Summer League stats tell a different story. Cole Swider has averaged 20.2 points, and hit 16 out of the 30 shots taken from beyond the arc. His three point prowess makes him a suitable candidate for the Lakers.

Darius Bazley

The number 23 pick from the 2019 NBA Draft has been traveling from one team to the other due to a lack of consistency. He has featured for the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and the OKC Thunder so far.

At 25, Bazley is showing signs of growth, and his Summer League numbers suggest he may finally be turning a corner. Darius Bazley has averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds in 20 minutes per game. His strengths include shot blocking, versatility in defending, and three pointers.

Darius Bazley coast-to-coast for the flush!@Lakers | #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/5cpB9iVa5a
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 13, 2025

DJ Steward

The Lakers are reportedly looking to strengthen their deep guard position, but it remains not a priority. This is where a low risk, high reward player like DJ Steward comes in. He is currently featuring for the Lakers in the Summer League and has averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds so far, making a subtle but significant impression.