Tag: Maxwell Lewis

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 assign rookie Maxwell Lewis to the G League

Lakers rookie wing Maxwell Lewis, a second-round draft pick, will get the chance to hone his skills in the G League.

The Los Angeles Lakers may be struggling to start this season, and they may have plenty of work to do before they start to play up to their potential. But the good news is they certainly have the talent, at least on paper, to get to that level of play.

In stark contrast to a year or two ago, they have plenty of options at the wing position. Taurean Prince is their starter at the 3, at least for now, but they can also go to Jarred Vanderbilt (when healthy — he currently has left heel bursitis), Cam Reddish, Rui Hachimura or Max Christie.

The Lakers also have Maxwell Lewis, an athletic 6-foot-7 rookie who seems to have the potential to become a good two-way player. For now, he will get the opportunity to hone his skills in the G League, as they have reportedly assigned him to the South Bay Lakers.

While at Pepperdine University and during the preseason, Lewis showed some promise as a slasher, 3-point shooter and defender. The Lakers organization would love for him to become a legitimate 3-and-D player moving forward.

10 NBA rookies make predictions for their first game before the season begins

There are so many great answers from this NBA rookie class.

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After completing their first offseason, a new class of NBA rookies are ready to step on the court to make their professional debuts.

While nothing can compare with the special moment of hearing their name called in the NBA Draft, it is assuredly a surreal feeling to have your lifelong dreams realized on the hardwood.

We spoke to 10 rookies from the 2023 draft class about all of the emotions they anticipate feeling once they officially begin their professional careers as NBA athletes.

Here is what each prospect said about what they expect when they play on the parquet courts in front of thousands of fans.

These interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Lakers’ Darvin Ham explains next area of development for Maxwell Lewis

Lewis is averaging 7.3 points and one assist in three preseason games with the Lakers so far.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has been impressed thus far by Maxwell Lewis and believes the former Pepperdine forward can have a long and successful career in the NBA.

Lewis was drafted with the 40th pick by the Lakers after averaging 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season as a sophomore. He was named to the All-West Coast Conference second team and finished sixth in the conference in scoring.

The 6-foot-7 forward dazzled in college with his scoring and overall ability. He has the physical tools to be productive with the Lakers and projects to eventually be a rotation player in the NBA.

“I think he has a really, really special gift in terms of his talent, athleticism and his physical structure,” Ham said on Wednesday. “He is quick. He is athletic. He can play lateral (and) vertical.”

Lewis logged his third appearance of the preseason on Wednesday. He recorded seven points, one assist and one block in a 109-101 win over the Sacramento Kings in Anaheim, California. He went 3-of-5 from the field in 15 minutes off the bench.

He is averaging 7.3 points and one assist on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range so far in the preseason. He has had some strong moments in a small sample size on both sides of the floor but will need more reps to be a consistent contributor.

Ham explained his next area of development.

He is just in that phase where he needs to slow down a little bit. There is a lot of speed in our game but you can’t go fast each and every possession. It is more about reading things quick, doing your work early and in a quick fashion, getting to your spots quick, and then being patient — allowing plays to materialize.

Once you settle down and slow down, things start to happen. You can see moves that are going to present themselves 2-3 seconds or 2-3 passes before it actually happens. He is in that phase right now but we want him to play through it. He is going to be an exciting player. As long as he continues to work like he is working … he’ll have a very long career, I’m sure.

Lewis inked a four-year contract with the first two years guaranteed. The organization certainly believes he has a bright future ahead and will look to work with him to get him up to speed quickly.

The Lakers continue the preseason on Friday versus Golden State.

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Watch: Maxwell Lewis throws down breakaway windmill dunk vs. Nets

Lakers rookie forward Maxwell Lewis showed off his athleticism late in the team’s 129-126 win over the Nets on Monday.

The Los Angeles Lakers have a number of interesting rookies on their roster this season. Of those, guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is getting the most attention, and for good reason. He was the No. 17 pick in June’s draft.

Hood-Schifino clearly has potential as a big combo guard who can initiate, get others open and hit the open man as well as score himself and even defend well. It will take him a while to develop, but he has the luxury of developing at his own pace on a deep and talented Lakers squad.

One rookie who has seemingly fallen between the cracks is second-round pick Maxwell Lewis. The 6-foot-7 forward flashed what he could become in L.A.’s 129-126 preseason win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. In the fourth quarter, he delivered a breakaway windmill jam off a steal from D’Moi Hodge, another rookie.

Lewis finished with 10 points on 4-of-5 overall shooting and 2-of-3 from 3-point range in 15 minutes. He received the bulk of his playing time in the fourth quarter, and he was a big reason the Lakers held on for the victory.

Lakers 3 goals: Will rookie Maxwell Lewis be able to contribute?

By focusing on these three goals, Lakers rookie wing Maxwell Lewis can give himself a chance at success in the NBA.

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. 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. That includes incoming rookie Maxwell Lewis, who was a second-round draft choice who came to L.A. via a four-team trade made on draft day.

Lewis seems to have immense potential, and these three goals should help him tap into that potential.

Lakers summer player goals: Maxwell Lewis

Here are three goals for the Lakers’ Maxwell Lewis this summer.

Training camp for the 2023-24 NBA season is slowly but surely approaching, and while there is plenty of time before it begins, it’s time for players to start ramping up their training and preparation.

That’s especially true for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are hoping to win their 18th world championship next summer. They magically remade what was a broken roster in January and February, and they’re aiming for the sky rather than just trying to tread water.

Los Angeles took Maxwell Lewis, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Pepperdine University, with the No. 40 pick in June’s draft. It’s hard to say if he will get any meaningful playing time as a rookie. Nonetheless, it’s time for him to prepare as if the team will be relying on him.

Here are three summer goals for the incoming rookie.

2023 Lakers summer league player grades: Maxwell Lewis

A final look at Maxwell Lewis’ 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 Los Angeles Lakers had a mix of can’t-miss players, prospects looking to get some playing time and those fighting for a spot somewhere in the league.

Forward Maxwell Lewis was the No. 40 pick in June’s draft by the Lakers, and he appears to have serious potential as a 3-and-D wing. Shortly after summer league play began, they moved quickly to sign him to a three-year contract.

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

These three players stood out in the Lakers’ 93-75 win over the Hornets in the NBA Summer League on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ entry in the NBA Summer League earned its second straight win on Sunday when it notched a 93-75 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in a matinee contest.

The squad seems to be finding itself, both collectively and individually, after it lost both of its games in the California Classic on Monday and Wednesday. The Lakers have won both of their games thus far in the main summer league, and they have looked fairly impressive at times.

By now, a few of their players have established themselves as potential or even serious NBA prospects. These three players looked especially spry on Sunday afternoon.

Three takeaways from Monday’s Lakers vs. Heat summer league game

Three players showed promise during the Lakers’ first summer league game of 2023.

The California Classic summer league tipped off on Monday with a contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. The Heat thoroughly outclassed Los Angeles. They jumped to a sizable early lead and cruised to a 107-90 victory.

It appeared they simply had better talent. Jaime Jaquez Jr., out of University of California, Los Angeles, had 22 points. Big man Nikola Jovic, who was an NBA rookie this past season, posted 21 points and eight rebounds.

A few players for Los Angeles showed some promise. The team will be back at it again on Wednesday when it takes on the San Antonio Spurs in its second and final contest of the California Classic.

Here are three players in particular that looked promising on Monday.