10 NBA Hidden Gems Nobody Is Talking Abouthttps://t.co/lPZSrqm5DZ via @BleacherReport

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 22, 2023

Max Christie, Los Angeles Lakers
Max Christie #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on October 7, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
It’s hard to shine next to the star power of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, particularly when you see action in only 41 games as a 19-year-old rookie. That’s why Max Christie’s summer-league performance was so important; it proved he had the skills to be productive if given the opportunity.

The Michigan State product put up 19.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists across three games in Las Vegas, shredding the nets from everywhere.

After drilling 41.9 percent of his triples last season, the Los Angeles Lakers guard canned 45.7 percent in Vegas while also hitting 50.0 percent of his shots from the field and making every free-throw he attempted.

While those offensive numbers impress, Christie might have been even better on the other end. Summer league head coach JD Dubois praised his versatility on D, and the bulk he added over the past year should only make him more potent defensively this season.

The Lakers are deep, and Christie doesn’t figure to start unless injuries force him into the first unit. But it seems safe to assume his age-20 season will include more than 41 contests and 12.5 minutes per game. Expect a rotation role at minimum.

And if the gains Christie showed off in July prove to be real, fringe consideration for Most Improved Player could be in order.

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— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 9, 2023

The Brooklyn Nets’ center and forward Ben Simmons might get traded to Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. The Lakers have always desired to pair LeBron James with a plus size playmaker and their dream might come true. They have been a great team and why wouldn’t they be? They have got King James and Anthony Davis running rampant for them.

The LSU Tigers product played 42 games for the Nets last season and averaged 6.9 points, 6.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field. The Lakers would love to win a championship before LeBron leaves and this signing might help them do so. Will they be able to pull it off? Here is all the information you need about the trade between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers involving Ben Simmons.

The Lakers are expected to offer D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura in exchange for the Nets’ #10 and a 2027 first round pick. The NBA world had high expectations from the 27 year old, he was supposed to be the next LeBron James but he is far from it at the moment. The comparison and expectations might have affected him. Will the Lakers take the risk of signing a declining player rather than making a win now move?

Ranking the Top 22 point guards for the 2021-22 season:https://t.co/bH03VKqey8 pic.twitter.com/yWYarS8aHK

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 25, 2021

#10 – Russell Westbrook (LA Lakers)

2020-21 stats: 22.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 11.7 apg, 1.4 spg, 43.9 FG%

A slow, injury-related start to last season had some thinking that we might finally be seeing the decline of Russell Westbrook – until a brilliant second half of the campaign changed the narrative on that idea entirely.

Westbrook, who led the league in nightly assists last campaign with 11.7, was monstrous from March through the end of 2020-21, averaging 23.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, 13.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor over a 36-game stretch to close the league year, helping lead the Wizards into the playoffs alongside Beal.

Now heading into his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Westbrook will be tasked with helping take some of the playmaking load off of LeBron James while wreaking pick-and-roll havoc alongside Anthony Davis, something that should be quite fun to behold for fans of the sport in general.

The almost-33-year-old Westbrook may be slowing a bit athletically and still lacks a reliable outside jumper, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more tenacious point guard in the Association who plays as hard on a nightly basis as the former league MVP.

Magic #5
Thunder #6
Warriors #7
Magic #8
Kings #9
Pelicans #10