Tag: Cole Swider

Lakers waive Cole Swider and sign Alex Fudge to a two-way contract

The Lakers have let go of one undrafted forward while adding another one to their roster.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8170″]

The NBA is in the quiet part of its offseason, but the Los Angeles Lakers made two roster moves on Wednesday.

First, they waived undrafted forward Cole Swider, who had been on a two-way contract. He has shown considerable potential as a 3-point shooter, but the team is presumably disappointed in the other facets of his game, particularly his defense.

Waiving Swider opened a two-way roster spot for the Lakers, and they signed Alex Fudge, another undrafted forward, to a two-way deal.

Fudge played two seasons of college basketball, one with Louisiana State University and another at the University of Florida.

Los Angeles originally signed Fudge to an Exhibit 10 deal. Other than some occasional shot-blocking, he didn’t produce much during NBA Summer League play earlier this month.

But the moves could be another sign executive Rob Pelinka values players that contribute on both ends of the floor, particularly the defensive end.

2023 Lakers summer league player grades: Cole Swider

A final look at Cole Swider’s performance during NBA Summer League play for the Lakers this year.

The 2023 NBA Summer League is now in the books, and it gave a number of players the opportunity to flash their potential and possibly earn a spot in the Association.

The Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects looking to get playing time with Los Angeles and those fighting for a spot in the league.

Cole Swider was on their summer league team this month for the second year in a row. Once again, he proved he possesses a skill no team can have too much of. It’s certainly one the Lakers need more of.

Three takeaways from Sunday’s Lakers vs. Clippers summer league game

Three players stood out in the Lakers’ final summer league game versus the Clippers on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers may not be participating in the NBA Summer League playoff game this year, but they finished the summer on a high note.

Despite being without Max Christie, their best player this summer, and No. 17 pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles fought hard for much of the contest. It fell behind by 11 in the first quarter, but the final three quarters were competitive, and this one was decided in the final seconds.

After the Clippers’ Matt Morgan hit a 3-pointer to tie the score with 1.5 seconds left, Keaton Wallace was called for a foul as the Lakers looked to inbound the ball. It resulted in a free throw by Cole Swider with 0.4 seconds left that provided the final margin in L.A.’s 104-103 win.

These three players stood out for the Lakers on Sunday.

Members of the Lakers on Max Christie’s progression

Several people in the Lakers organization love what they have seen from Max Christie on and off the court.

A year ago during the NBA Summer League, Max Christie, a 2022 second-round draft pick out of Michigan State University, looked like a total project player.

He had potential on the defensive end, where he showed good effort, but his outside shooting was wretched, and many thought it would take him a few years to develop.

But during spot duty with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season, the 6-foot-5 guard shot surprisingly well from 3-point range, and in this year’s summer league, he has looked like a different man.

In three NBA Summer League games this year, he has averaged 19 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game while shooting 45.7% overall, 50% from 3-point land and a remarkable 100% from the free-throw line.

Christie has been working hard on his game and his body since becoming a Laker, and many in the organization have been impressed with his dedication and attitude.

Three takeaways from Friday’s Lakers vs. Warriors summer league game

These three players shined in the Lakers’ 103-96 win over the Warriors during Friday’s NBA Summer League action.

After losing in both of their games earlier this week in the California Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers notched their first NBA Summer League victory on Friday by getting past the Golden State Warriors, 103-96.

The fans in Las Vegas were treated to a great all-around afternoon and evening of basketball, and the Lakers certainly contributed to the atmosphere. They fell behind early by the score of 13-2, but from that point on, they took control of the game and won all four quarters.

Los Angeles has several intriguing youngsters on its summer league roster this year, and three of them stood out in this contest.

Four takeaways from Wednesday’s Lakers vs. Spurs summer league game

The Lakers had four players do well in their second summer league game of 2023.

In their second game of this year’s California Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers fought hard for much of the contest, but they came up short to the San Antonio Spurs by the score of 109-99.

The Lakers fell behind early 20-10, but they responded to build a five-point lead near the end of the first quarter. Unfortunately, that was about as good as it got for them, as they got outrebounded by 15 and gave up 20 offensive rebounds, which led to 26 second-chance points for San Antonio.

Still, four players stood out for Los Angeles and could have some potential as far as making its big-league team this fall.

The Lakers’ summer league schedule is set

Get ready to watch the Lakers’ youngsters in this year’s summer league, which starts on July 3.

The Los Angeles Lakers will have intriguing young players taking part in summer league play this year.

There is guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was selected with the No. 17 pick in Thursday’s draft, and forward Maxwell Lewis, the No. 40 selection. Los Angeles will have several undrafted free agents also taking part: guard D’Moi Hodge, forward Alex Fudge, big man Colin Castleton and guard Damion Baugh.

Two players who were rookies this past season will also play in the summer league: wing Max Christie and forward Cole Swider.

The Lakers’ schedule for summer league play in Las Vegas is set (all times are in Pacific Daylight Time).

In addition, the Lakers will play in two games as part of the California Classic prior to heading to Las Vegas. They will face the Miami Heat on July 3 at 3 p.m. PDT and the San Antonio Spurs two days later at 5 p.m. PDT.

The contest against the Spurs could allow Lakers fans to get a first look at 7-foot-2 Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick who has been described as a generational talent and the most hyped rookie since at least LeBron James.

Lakers 2022-23 season player grades: Cole Swider

A final look at Cole Swider’s performance this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have needed better 3-point shooting for a while now, and with limited resources in terms of free agency and the trade market, they have had to get creative to find help.

Last summer, they signed 6-foot-9 forward Cole Swider as an undrafted free agent, hoping they could develop him into one of the snipers they have lacked.

Swider has certainly looked like a project player who will take time to become NBA ready if he ever will does. But it looks like he has some potential if he puts in enough work.

Cole Swider has stress reaction in foot, will miss several weeks

The Lakers have lost another player to injury.

With an 0-3 record to start the 2022-23 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest problem is their lack of 3-point shooting.

They have a huge lack of players who are consistent threats from beyond the arc, and although they may improve somewhat in that department as the season unfolds, they will not have enough to be very competitive.

One player who may have the potential to help with their outside shooting is Cole Swider, an undrafted rookie. At 6-foot-9, he could also help fill the team’s biggest position need — functional depth at the big forward position.

However, the Lakers will have to wait a while before seeing if Swider has what it takes to help because a stress reaction in his foot will keep him out of action for a while.

The team is already without guard Dennis Schroder and center Thomas Bryant, both of whom have thumb injuries and will be re-evaluated in about three weeks.

[mm-video type=video id=01gfnrn1nd35x2wkgrpg playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gfnrn1nd35x2wkgrpg/01gfnrn1nd35x2wkgrpg-7ed3d79c8ac54414f4def000258a0df6.jpg]

[listicle id=86927]

Lakers’ Cole Swider to miss at least 1 month due to foot injury

Lakers rookie Cole Swider will miss at least four weeks due to a navicular stress reaction of the right foot.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Cole Swider will miss at least four weeks due to a navicular stress reaction of the right foot, the team announced on Monday.

The details surrounding the injury are not known but the undrafted forward from Syracuse was seen wearing a boot at practice on Saturday. The team will reevaluate him in a month after a period of rehab and treatment for the injury.

Swider signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in July after a strong senior season with the Orange. He played eight games with the Lakers in summer league and made six appearances in the preseason, averaging 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and one steal.

[mm-video type=video id=01gfnrn1n3n3t4j9vw0j playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gfnrn1n3n3t4j9vw0j/01gfnrn1n3n3t4j9vw0j-e667f3ffd1adf924e0c67deb2c4291a4.jpg]

Swider debuted with the Lakers in the regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors, logging two minutes. He was likely set to join the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League soon as part of his two-way contract but will now miss the start of their season.

The team likes his ability as a shooter and versatility, but will be without his services for the foreseeable future.

[lawrence-related id=80648,79989,49511]

[listicle id=81142]