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After an undefeated start to the Las Vegas Summer League, the Lakers’ run ended in the semifinals at the hands of the Warriors. Though there will be no hardware this year, or even any NBA All-Summer League recognition, the results were an unquestionable success for the franchise.
LA’s most recent draft picks, Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero, were the star headliners for a fun and feisty athletic roster, but the player leading the team in scoring was surprise standout in Arthur Kaluma. He showed a versatile offensive game and an interesting athletic profile, a seemingly perfect match for the roster direction the Lakers headed towards.
The 24-year-old out of Texas played a year on the Lakers’ G League affiliate last season where he averaged 13.8 points and shot 37% from three. At 6’7” with a 7’1” wingspan, he has strong measurables for a prototypical modern forward.
As with any wings surrounding Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, it all begins with their ability to shoot in head coach JJ Redick’s offense. Kaluma led the Lakers in both 3-pointers made and percentage in Vegas, hitting a blistering 50% of his outside attempts. He hit seven more threes in Vegas than the next closest player.
The stationary catch and shoot was there as he operated as an effective spacer for ball handlers in the half-court, or caught and fired in transition, showing off his consistent form in the clip below.
His versatility was highlighted by head coach Ty Abbott, who used him as an off-ball mover, as shown in the clip below. He comes to set the on-ball screen, then immediately receives a flare screen. A shot fake jab flows into a difficult break rhythm 3-pointer.
In addition, Kaluma showed a fluid handle when teams overplayed him as a shooter. In the clip below, he receives a flare screen with his defender in a lock-and-trail position. After faking his defender, he catches on a curl, drives, and finds his teammate for a lob at the basket.
On lower volume, Kaluma also ran some actions as the main ball handler. Skilled enough to attack off the dribble and creatively finish at the basket, he comes off the inverted screen and gets downhill. A long euro step through the lane leads to the reverse layup on the other end.
In addition to being red hot from three, Kaluma shot an efficient 15-20 (75%) on his two-point attempts in Vegas. The offensive package is clearly there, and it will only be more empowered next to high-level playmakers, which was the lone blind spot on the Lakers’ summer roster.
Where he and the other end-of-the-roster players will earn their minutes is on the defensive end. Summer League isn’t exactly the situation for perfect defensive evaluation, but there’s a definite toolbox to work with.
Kaluma defended multiple positions, at times getting beat off the dribble while other times showcasing his quick feet to stay with his matchup. He transitioned from end to end quickly, and a chase-down block shown below exhibited his athleticism.
In his five breakout games in Vegas, Kaluma averaged 18.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 50% on his 3-pointers. His stellar performance was promptly rewarded with a two-way roster spot.
LA has clearly gone with a youth movement over the summer with their additions. With reports of talks on a Jonathan Kuminga signing stalling, there are minutes to possibly be had. If Kaluma proves the Summer League shooting to be real, his athletic profile gives a real pathway to potential minutes next season.
You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu.
