Welcome to the latest edition of our LeBron Wire Los Angeles Lakers roster countdown, all the way to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Previously
No. 17: Zach Norvell Jr.
Experience: Rookie
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4, 206 lb
How He Got Here: Signed by the Los Angeles Lakers to a two-way contract after being un-drafted out of Gonzaga. Norvell also went to storied Simeon High School in Chicago, high school home to Detroit guard Derrick Rose and Atlanta Hawks forward Jabari Parker.
2018-19 Stats (College): 30 minutes per game, 14.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.3 STL, 43% FG, 37% 3PT. He also ranked in the 76th percentile as a catch and shoot jump shooter, as well as in the 78th percentile in college basketball last season as a pull-up jump shooter in the half court, according to Synergy Sports.
2019-20 Outlook: As far as a path to emulate for rookie guard Zach Norvell Jr., he doesn’t need to look too far. Should Norvell be able to emulate the same development path they’ve had so far with guard Alex Caruso, the Lakers may once again find cheap and reliable talent through their G League squad if the un-drafted Norvell can turn himself into a full-time NBA player.
Norvell won’t play much this season as a two-way player whose annual days on an NBA roster can’t exceed 45, but he showed skills in college that could make him an interesting development project for the Lakers. He finished in the 90th percentile as a pick and roll ball-handler as well as as a striking 97th on hand-offs in terms of points per possession in college last season.
Among the biggest weaknesses on the Lakers roster, guard and particularly guards who can create their own shots are lacking the most. It’s why there have been legitimate reports that LeBron James is preparing to start at point guard this season.
Norvell will likely get a ton of chances to prove himself in the G League, as Caruso did over the last two seasons with the South Bay Lakers. Even though the Lakers have some questions about their depth at guard, Norvell likely won’t get a call to play unless the Lakers have their playoff position (if they make it) set late in the season. Still, his play in college makes him an interesting long-term development project for a Lakers team that will need talent on the cheap as they build around a team of stars.
