Isaac Bonga

Joey Ramirez

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers open up the Las Vegas Summer League against the Philadelphia 76ers.

1) Bonga and Newman are ready for their debuts
With his trade from Philadelphia officially completed, rookie Isaac Bonga will get his chance to wear purple and gold for the first time, as he flew in from L.A. to Vegas on Friday.

Bonga — selected 39th overall — was one of the most unique prospects in the draft, as a giant, 6-foot-9 point guard with an even more impressive, 7-foot wingspan.

The 18-year-old was great in transition while playing in Germany’s top division last year, so look for him to push the pace at summer league, where the game is played at an even faster speed than the regular season.

Meanwhile, Malik Newman is also prepared to suit up after missing the California Classic due to a foot injury.

The Kansas product was recently signed to a two-way contract, meaning both the NBA and G League Lakers will have his renowned offensive services on hand this season.

A deadeye shooter and skilled ball handler, Newman is coming off a blistering college postseason that saw him average 22.5 points and 3.8 3-pointers while shooting 53.6 percent from deep in the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments.

2) Moe’s been leading the charge
Bonga and Newman’s reinforcements could be necessities for the Lakers, who aren’t sure if they’ll have Josh Hart on hand, as the sophomore wing is considered questionable to play.

Hart rested during Thursday’s Sacramento summer finale, but Moe Wagner was there to guide the team with 13 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

In fact, Wagner led the Lakers all three categories during their time at the California Classic, averaging 14.7 points, 8.0 boards and 2.0 swats.

The 25th-overall pick did have some struggles — shooting just 37.8 percent from the field and 31.2 on 3’s, while averaging 3.7 turnovers — but there was overall much more good than bad from the stretchy, ball-handling big man.

3) Vegas is unquestionably a Lakers town
After being relentlessly booed by Kings fans in Sacramento, the Lakers will now set up business in one of the most purple-and-gold cities in the country: Las Vegas.

The Lakers have always had a unique relationship with Vegas, where Kareem Abdul-Jabber once broke the all-time scoring record and Kobe Bryant captured the All-Star Game MVP.

Aside from those moments of spectacle, Vegas also turns out for the Lakers when it comes to summer league, always making every contest a home game for L.A.

Last season’s squad can attest to that, as Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and co. rode that energy all the way to the summer championship. This year’s team has the same goal in mind, as they begin against a Sixers side led by Furkan Korkmaz — who dropped 40 points and eight triples in Friday's game — as well as first-round picks Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet.

Tip-Off: 8:30 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN
Location: Thomas &amp; Mack Center — Las Vegas, Nevada

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3 Things to Know: Lakers vs. 76ers (Summer League)

admin

EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Isaac Bonga, it was announced today by General Manager Rob Pelinka. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

The 39th overall pick in this years’ NBA Draft, Bonga was acquired from Philadelphia today in exchange for a 2019 second round draft pick and cash considerations. Bonga joins the Lakers from Fraport Skyliners in Germany and has competed internationally with the German National Team in qualifying rounds of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Bonga is expected to join the Lakers summer league team in Las Vegas for their opening contest versus Philadelphia, tomorrow at 8:30 p.m.

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Lakers Sign Isaac Bonga

The Lakers have officially acquired Isaac Bonga, completing a trade with Philadelphia for the 39th-overall draft pick.

Despite having the frame of a small forward, the 18-year-old has begun his career as a point guard, towering over his positional peers in Germany’s top league.

At 6-foot-9 and 200 pounds, he has impressive size for a ball handler, and the length to match.

He started 19 of 21 games for the Fraport Skyliners last season, averaging 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals.

His assists numbers are low for a player that has shown as promising vision as Bonga has. He has been particularly effective at finding scorers in transition, though he is also capable of running pick-and-rolls.

As for his own offense, Bonga once again thrives in transition, where his eye-catching length and surprising fluidity are best displayed.

However, he is also capable of putting those gifts to use in the half court.

Whether it’s in pick-and-roll or isolation, Bonga is learning how to use his long strides to get to the cup and his elite, 7-foot wingspan to finish.

Those javelin-like arms also help him on the defensive end, where he invades passing lanes and has shown potential for blocking shots.

That being said, the teenager is still a longterm prospect for the Lakers.

He shot a solid 34.3 percent on 3-pointers, but that figure dips to 30.2 when factoring his seven-game stint in Germany’s secondary league. His mechanics need smoothing, and he’ll have to adjust to the farther NBA 3-point line.

He is also still figuring out how to handle ball pressure and when to take chances, as he averaged 4.0 turnovers last season.

Still, Bonga’s potential is unquestioned for a player his age.

Two months ago the Neuweid native debuted for the German national team, becoming the youngest player to do so in 40 years.

Also the second-youngest player in this year’s draft, Bonga could see more time developing overseas before joining the Lakers later.

Either way, point guard prospects of his size and length are practically nonexistent, so the Lakers are eager to see what Bonga becomes over the next few years, regardless of location.

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Latest Laker: Isaac Bonga

Rodrigo Azurmendi

EL SEGUNDO – Los Lakers han adquirido al alero Isaac Bonga de los Philadelphia 76ers a cambio de una selección de segunda ronda de 2019 y dinero en efectivo, según anunció hoy el gerente general Rob Pelinka.

Originalmente escogido por los Sixers este año con la selección No. 39, Bonga viene de promediar 6.0 puntos, 3.2 rebotes y 2.2 asistencias con los Fraport Skyliners en Alemania la temporada pasada. Bonga también ha competido internacionalmente con la Selección Nacional de Alemania en las rondas clasificatorias para la Copa Mundial de la FIBA 2019.

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Lakers adquieren a Isaac Bonga en canje con Sixers

lalswong

EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired guard Isaac Bonga from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a 2019 second round draft pick and cash considerations, it was announced today by General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Originally selected by the 76ers with this year’s No. 39 draft pick, Bonga averaged 6.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Fraport Skyliners in Germany last season. Bonga has also competed internationally with the German National Team in qualifying rounds of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

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Lakers Acquire Isaac Bonga in Trade with Philadelphia

EL SEGUNDO – Los Lakers anunciaron hoy su nómina para las ligas de verano en Sacramento y Las Vegas, encabezadas por los jugadores de segundo año Thomas Bryant, Alex Caruso, y Josh Hart. A ellos se le sumarán las selecciones de 2018 Moritz Wagner y Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, además de los valores de South Bay Lakers en 2017-18 Stephaun Branch y Demarcus Holland.

El equipo tendrá su primera práctica el viernes 29 de junio en el UCLA Health Training Center y comenzará la acción del California Classic en Sacramento con partidos consecutivos el 2 de julio ante los Kings y el 3 de julio ante Miami HEAT. Los Lakers concluirán su participación el 5 de julio ante los Golden State Warriors, antes de viajar a Las Vegas para competir en su primer juego de la Liga de Verano el  7 de julio ante los Philadelphia 76ers.

Todos los juegos de liga de verano serán televisados por Spectrum SportsNet, con la excepción del partido del 7 de julio ante los 76ers (ESPN).

Los boletos para el California Classic pueden ser comprados visitando Kings.com, mientras que los de la Liga de Verano de Las Vegas están disponibles en UNLVtickets.com.

Mark Madsen (Stanford), Clay Moser (Wisconsin-LaCrosse), Coby Karl (Boise State), Brian Walsh (Eastern New Mexico), Will Scott (Indiana), Jonah Herscu (Lake Forest College)

Marco Núñez (Cal Poly Pomona), Nina Hsieh (Cal State Fullerton)