The Lakers weren’t just showing off Summer League talent in Las Vegas this July, nope. While everyone else was hitting the casinos and clubs, a core group of their squad was actually putting in WORK. We’re talking about a player’s mini-camp, a veteran’s camp, that went down in mid-July. This wasn’t just some casual meet-up, it was about getting down to business with a reshaped roster full of new faces and returning players.
Chemistry Class Kicked Off Early in the Desert
Khobi Price from the California Post spilled the beans on 97.1 The Fan, confirming some serious off-court action. This camp included some big names: Jake LaRavia, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Mamu, Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy, and Austin Reaves were all there. Think about that lineup! That’s a huge mix of guys, some new to the team, some incumbents, all getting together before formal training camp even starts. They weren’t doing anything wild, just getting workouts in and, critically, getting to know one another. When you’ve got this many new faces, that kind of familiarity is absolutely massive for building chemistry. It’s the kind of unglamorous work that pays off huge when the regular season hits. Ziaire Williams, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton were also spotted at a game during this Vegas stint, showing they were definitely in the mix.
Planting Seeds for What’s Next
Look, some might say this was a small thing, not a huge, game-changing moment. But don’t sleep on it! Seeing these guys getting together from the jump, grinding before they *have* to, that’s something fans are going to love. It plants the seeds, man. It sets the stage for more workouts, more bonding, throughout the offseason. Historically, the Lakers used to do this kind of minicamp just before training camp in the LeBron James era. The big question now, with so many new players joining the fold, is if this early commitment will become the new normal in the post-LeBron era. Getting everyone together for this extra work before the season officially kicks off just makes all the sense in the world when you have this many moving parts. It builds that foundation.
This is all about getting ready for the long haul. With a reloaded roster and early chemistry work already underway, you gotta wonder what these guys are going to look like when they actually hit the floor. The season will be here before you know it, and this early hustle in Vegas could be the secret ingredient.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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