An NBA team can never have enough shooting.
That’s probably why the Lakers have a former marksman from their organization in town at Summer League working out with Dalton Knecht.
Lakers beat reporter Jovan Buha spotted Cole Swider in the gym with Knecht on Wednesday.
Swider is a former Villanova and Syracuse star who began his NBA career with the Lakers before playing for the Heat, Pistons and Raptors.
There have been no reports of the free agent Swider signing anywhere yet, but he is either close with Knecht or he’s close to working something out with the Lakers.
Swider’s 3-point opportunities in NBA action have been so limited as to make a perfect judgment, as he sits at just 32.9% from deep.
But his G League 3-point numbers are astounding.
In 2022-23, Swider shot 43.6% from 3-point range in the G League. The next season, he was up at 50.0%. And then in 2024-25, he was at 44.1% from 3.
MORE: Lakers make ‘insane’ decision that could jeopardize future with LeBron, Luka
This seems like a guy some NBA team should give a shot just to stand outside and let it fly. Efficiency anywhere near those G League totals would be an absolute weapon, even if Swider isn’t a good defender.
He’s 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, too, so he should somehow be useful elsewhere on the floor even if it’s not as exciting as his shooting.
So stay tuned to see if the Lakers decide to give Swider another chance. Shooting will always get opportunities.
MORE: NBA NEWS:
