Los Angeles Lakers: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Kyle Kuzma #0 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk off the court after the team's 115-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 16: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass under pressure from Yogi Ferrell #11 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

5. Alex Caruso was an undrafted find

Every year, players come to Summer League in hopes of fulfilling a lifelong dream — to play in the NBA. Every year some of those players parlay July excellence into a contract. This year, one of those players was Alex Caruso.

Undrafted in 2016 out of Texas A&M, the 6’5″ Caruso spent the past season playing for the Oklahoma City Blue, the G-League affiliate of the Thunder. Not only was his size a defensive plus, but his ability to hit outside shots (40 percent on three-pointers) suggested he could make an impact in the NBA as a third point guard.

Caruso took full advantage of his opportunity to prove just that in Las Vegas this summer, playing both behind and alongside Lonzo Ball and keeping alive the spirit of running and diming. Caruso was one of four Lakers to average at last three assists per game in Vegas, making them the only team that could make that claim.

The newly introduced two-way contracts allow an NBA team to add a pair of players outside of their standard 15, and the Lakers used one of those two contracts to sign Caruso. He will split time between the L.A. D-Fenders and the Lakers, and continue to show the team what he can offer.

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