Tag: D’Moi Hodge

Young Lakers are grateful LeBron James got them their big payday in NBA in-season tournament

A number of young Lakers have said LeBron James wanted to win the NBA Cup in part to help them achieve financial security.

The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA’s first in-season tournament on Saturday by pushing aside the Indiana Pacers 123-109. Although it is fair to question exactly how much weight winning the NBA Cup will carry for a player or franchise, it is safe to say this tourney has been a success for the league.

In addition to raising the level of competition and excitement among players, it has also resulted in a big payday for them. In particular, Lakers players on standard contracts each earned $500,000 while men on two-way contracts netted $250,000 for winning the tourney.

LeBron James, who was named the tourney’s MVP, probably has $500,000 in cash wedged between the cushions of his couch or underneath the seats in his car. But for L.A.’s young players, a six-figure payday means a ton. It means securing their financial future and those of their families, not to mention an opportunity to give back to their communities and help the underprivileged.

A number of these players were grateful for the big bag they secured on Saturday and for James’ help in doing so.

Lakers 3 goals: Can D’Moi Hodge help the team?

Here are three goals for D’Moi Hodge that could help him carve out a spot in the Lakers rotation.

With training camp for the 2023-24 season just days away, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to hit the court for what could be an exciting and very successful season for them. They appear to have a stacked roster, and therefore an 18th NBA championship is a realistic goal for them once it’s all said and done next summer.

To accomplish that goal, a number of players will need to play up to their potential. Therefore, we have identified three goals for each Lakers player that, if attained, will help the team win it all.

Guard D’Moi Hodge was signed by L.A. as an undrafted free agent in early July. After burning it up during NBA Summer League in July, Hodge is starting to look like someone who may be able to contribute this season.

Here are three goals for the 6-foot-4 man to focus on.

2023 Lakers summer league player grades: D’Moi Hodge

A final look at D’Moi Hodge’s performance during NBA Summer League play for the Lakers this year.

The 2023 NBA Summer League is 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.

Guard D’Moi Hodge from the University of Missouri went undrafted this year and was picked up by the Lakers last month. Once summer league play began, they moved quickly to ink him to a two-way contract. So far, it looks like a very good investment.

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.

Three takeaways from Wednesday’s Lakers vs. Celtics summer league game

Even though the Lakers lost to the Celtics on Wednesday, there were some reasons to be hopeful about their young prospects.

It always hurts fans in the Southland when the Los Angeles Lakers lose to the Boston Celtics, even when it happens during a summer league game.

That is what happened on Wednesday, when the Lakers lost to their arch-rivals in Las Vegas, 95-90, snapping their budding streak of two wins in a row.

Los Angeles appeared in control early, taking a 28-19 lead after one quarter and a 53-43 advantage at halftime. But after leading by as many as 14 points, the Lakers lost control as the Celtics attacked the paint, especially in transition, and pounded the boards.

Three things, in particular, stood out for the Lakers, and not all of them were good things.

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.

Lakers have signed Colin Castleton, D’Moi Hodge to two-way contracts

Just before they began summer league play, the Lakers signed two of their undrafted free agents to two-way contracts.

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In addition to Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, their two draft picks this year, the Los Angeles Lakers will take a look at a number of undrafted free agents.

Those free agents are taking part in summer league play over the next week and a half, and the team is hoping to find at least one gem within that group of prospects.

One of those prospects is Colin Castleton, a 6-foot-11 big man who averaged 16 points, 7.7 rebounds and three blocked shots a game for the University of Florida last season. The Lakers have a lack of true centers on their roster, and it would be very helpful if he emerged as someone who can play at the NBA level.

In addition, D’Moi Hodge emerged as a 3-point sniper last year while with the University of Missouri.

Los Angeles reportedly signed both Castleton and Hodge to two-way contracts on Monday just ahead of the team’s first summer league game.

The Lakers have had some success with undrafted free agents in the recent past, in particular with Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves.

Cole Swider is another undrafted free agent who made his way onto the team last year. He is its third and final player who is on a two-way contract.

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 sign three undrafted free agents following 2023 NBA draft

The Lakers have signed Colin Castleton, D’Moi Hodge and Alex Fudge to contracts after they went undrafted on Thursday.

The 2023 NBA draft is in the books, and the Los Angeles Lakers may have obtained at least one very useful player from this year’s crop.

With the No. 17 pick, they took guard Jalen Hood-Schifino out of Indiana University. He has legitimate height at 6 feet, 6 inches and a 6-foot-10 wingspan, and his defensive versatility, midrange game and passing ability give him the potential to eventually become a rotation player.

At No. 40, the Lakers selected Maxwell Lewis, a forward from Pepperdine University who has plenty of athleticism and some serious 3-and-D potential.

They also signed a couple of undrafted free agents once the draft concluded. Colin Castleton, a center from the University of Florida, joined the team on a two-way contract.

Castleton has legitimate size at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, and he can score inside and block shots. He averaged 16 points on 50% shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 3 blocks per game this past season for the Gators.

Also joining L.A. on a two-way contract is University of Missouri guard D’Moi Hodge, who has become a good 3-point shooter and also has defensive potential.

In addition, the team will take a look at 6-foot-8 forward Alex Fudge, who played college ball at Louisiana State University and the University of Florida.

Only time will tell if any of the three will turn into the Lakers’ latest undrafted diamond in the rough, a la Austin Reaves or Alex Caruso.

2023 Lakers draft prospect profile: D’Moi Hodge

A look at D’Moi Hodge, a guard from the University of Missouri.

With D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Schroder about to become free agents, the Los Angeles Lakers have a good chance of losing some key guard depth.

Retaining all four will be very difficult, if not impossible. Even keeping two will not be easy, which means the Lakers could be in the market for at least one replacement in the backcourt.

With the No. 17 and No. 47 picks in the 2023 NBA draft at its disposal, Los Angeles could replenish at least some of its backcourt and/or wing depth in a hurry and at a low price.

One guard prospect they recently worked out is D’Moi Hodge.