Lakers announce 2025 Summer League roster

The Lakers announced their Summer League roster on Wednesday, highlighted by Bronny James and Dalton Knecht.

On Wednesday, the Lakers held their first practice of the year for their Summer League squad before officially announcing the roster.

The team is highlighted by Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, both playing Summer League for the second straight year, as well as two-way center Trey Jemison III. One notable omission is Lakers rookie Adou Thiero, who will not play in Summer League due to a left knee injury.

Both Knecht and Bronny are at a point in their young careers where you want to see them dominate in this type of setting.

Along with Jemison, fellow two-way signing Eric Dixon will be on the roster.

Jemison played in 38 games for the purple and gold last year and Dixon is an undrafted center from Villanova whom the Lakers awarded a two-way deal to. He was an impressive scorer in college, averaging 23.3 points per game, the most by any NCAA player last year.

The rest of the Summer League roster includes undrafted rookie free agents and a few NBA journeyman.

Regarding the undrafted rookies, Augustas Marčiulionis from Saint Mary’s is a player to watch. He was the West Coast Conference Player of the Year twice during his collegiate career. Marčiulionis averaged 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game this year.

Another prospect to keep an eye on is TY Johnson of UC Davis. He averaged 21.1 points per game for the Aggies.

Darius Bazley is one of the journeymen looking to impress in Summer League. He was drafted in the first round by the Jazz back in 2019 and is looking to prove he is deserving of an NBA roster position. Bazley has career averages of 8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Cole Swider is a player who was on a two-way deal with the Lakers back in 2022. Since then, he’s bounced around the league playing for the Heat, Pistons, and Raptors.

In the California Classic, the Lakers will be coached by the team’s assistant head coach, Beau Levesque. He joined the Lakers last year as part of JJ Redick’s staff. At the Las Vegas Summer League, Lindsey Harding will serve as the coach. She also joined Redick’s staff last year.

Harding is known for her ability to develop young NBA talent. In 2024, she served as the head coach of the Stockton Kings, the Sacramento Kings' G League affiliate, and was named Coach of the Year. Harding was reportedly among the top candidates for the Washington Mystics' head coaching position.

The California Classic will be the first competition the Lakers will play in, with action starting on Friday, July 5, against the Warriors.

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