If the Los Angeles Lakers truly want to unlock Luka Doncic’s full potential next season, they need shooters who can spread the floor and hit their shots without hesitation. Cole Swider has made it clear this Summer League that he is exactly that kind of player. Swider has been a sharpshooting wing whose skill set looks tailor-made to thrive alongside Doncic.
Swider stole the spotlight against the Dallas Mavericks
In their latest Summer League game, Swider quietly stole the show in a matchup that had plenty of buzz. Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was making his Summer League debut.
If the Los Angeles Lakers truly want to unlock Luka Doncic’s full potential next season, they need shooters who can spread the floor and hit their shots without hesitation. Cole Swider has made it clear this Summer League that he is exactly that kind of player. Swider has been a sharpshooting wing whose skill set looks tailor-made to thrive alongside Doncic.
Swider stole the spotlight against the Dallas Mavericks
In their latest Summer League game, Swider quietly stole the show in a matchup that had plenty of buzz. Cooper Flagg, the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was making his Summer League debut.
Bronny James was on the other side in a Lakers jersey, wanting to continue showcasing his defensive abilities. And Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' top pick in 2024, was coming off his best game yet, after a couple of rough games to start the month of July.
While Flagg did show some flashes, he could not find his shot, finishing just 5-for-21 on the night. Meanwhile, Bronny and Knecht did show improvement but they still looked like young players adjusting. Out of all the big names on the floor, it was Swider who kept the Lakers competitive in the game.
The 25-year-old forward put up 22 points, including 6 threes, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Throughout the game, he appeared calm, composed, and completely at ease on the court. Although the Lakers fell to the Dallas Mavericks 87-85, the loss should not take away from Swider's performance at all.
Another day at the office for Swider
Swider came into Vegas already building momentum. In just three games during the California Classic, he averaged a stunning 19.6 points and shot nearly 46% from beyond the arc. His feel for the game and consistent outside shooting has made him one of the Lakers’ most reliable Summer League contributors so far.
While it is easy to brush off Summer League numbers, Swider’s skill set fits in a way that goes beyond the box score. He moves well off the ball. He does not force shots. And when he is open, he hits. All signs of this early summer are pointing to a valid candidate to be playing alongside Doncic.
Lakers need to be serious about maximizing Doncic’s brilliance, and if they are, they should know spacing becomes absolutely vital. Doncic has an incredible ability to control the game’s rhythm, and pulls defenders like a magnet, which means the guys around him have to be deadly shooters. Swider fits that mold perfectly.
