Los Angeles Lakers: Svi Mykhailiuk shining in Summer League

The No. 47 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. is turning heads at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to dominate in the desert, thanks in large part to Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.

The 21-year-old from Ukraine has averaged 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in four convincing Summer League victories. He’s been the second leading scorer in three of four games, behind teammate Josh Hart.

The sharpshooting wing hasn’t been shy, connecting on 20 field goals in 42 attempts so far. He’s also made 10 3-pointers in 26 shots from downtown, good for 38.4 percent.

Though Svi’s 3-point percentage is down from the 44.4 percent he averaged his senior year at Kansas, his aggressiveness and offensive craftiness is opening eyes in Vegas.

The Lakers were the second-worst 3-point shooting team last season, and drafted Mykhailiuk with his shooting ability in mind. He’s shown so much more to his game, however, surprising those who hadn’t seen him in college.

Lakers assistant coach Miles Simon, who is coaching the summer squad, isn’t shocked to see Svi flourishing. Simon worked as an analyst for ESPN covering the Big 12 Conference and watched Svi play throughout college.

Simon shared his thoughts on No. 10 after the Lakers’ fourth consecutive Summer League victory.

"“It’s not a surprise that he puts the ball on the floor. He’s a smooth athlete. He moves up and down really fluidly on the offensive end. He has a good handle, he can create his own shot. I’ve been seeing those things before he got to the pros and now he’s just going to show everybody else what he can do.”"

Though Mykhailiuk already had a believer in Simon, his game has undoubtedly impressed the rest of the coaching staff and front office. The Lakers announced they signed him before the team’s third Summer League game.

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports, the rookie deal is worth $4.6 million over three years and includes a team option.

It’s not often a 47th pick makes an immediate impact in his rookie season. Paul Millsap is the most prominent example of a former No. 47 pick who had a significant role during his rookie season. Millsap played all 82 games and averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 18 minutes per contest back in 2006-07.

Following in Millsap’s footsteps is a lofty expectation for Mykhailiuk, who is likely to see fewer minutes, and unlikely to play in all 82 games in the upcoming season. In fact, he’ll probably spend some time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

Svi could still find himself on the court with LeBron James at times, who will provide the young shooter with the most open looks of his life. If he’s able to make the 3-ball with consistency, Svi might get more minutes than initially expected when the Lakers drafted him.

The start of the season is still months away, and Svi’s role can change depending on how the Lakers’ roster shapes out.

For now, Mykhailiuk is focused on the task at hand — NBA Summer League.

Mykhailiuk has at least one more opportunity to showcase his abilities as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Detroit Pistons Sunday afternoon. If the Lakers win they will advance to the semifinals to take on the winner between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

If Svi has anything to say about it, Los Angeles will remain the team to beat in Las Vegas for the second year in a row.