The Los Angeles Lakers were extremely busy on draft night, selecting four players to bring on to the roster including three in the first round. Lonzo Ball was the big name, taken second overall, but they also took Kyle Kuzma at 27 and Josh Hart at 30.
First-round picks all get guaranteed contracts that are basically set due to a rookie salary scale that outlines what each player receives based on when they were drafted. It makes it much easier to come to terms on a deal, and the Lakers announced they have officially signed Ball, Kuzma, and Hart:
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Lonzo Ball, forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Josh Hart, it was announced today by General Manager Rob Pelinka. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released.
All three players are on the Lakers Summer League roster which will begin play in Las Vegas later this week, so fans will be able to get a good look at the newest members of the franchise.
These signings leave only Thomas Bryant, who was selected in the second round with the 42nd overall pick, as the only unsigned rookie. He would seem to be a candidate for the new two-way contracts which allows teams to shuffle players on the roster and their G-League affiliate the South Bay Lakers.
Ball is slated to be the starter at point guard from day one and is viewed by many to be the new face of the franchise. His passing and court vision are excellent, and he has an innate ability to make teammates better.
Hart could also fight for playing time as the Lakers are thin at the shooting guard position. He was a four-year player at Villanova and can shoot and defend at a high level.
Kuzma will have a tougher time getting regular minutes with the Lakers being stacked at power forward, but the front office has really talked him up as a high IQ player who can make plays at multiple positions.
Summer League featuring all three players gets started on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
