Cole Swider finished Saturday’s win over the Pelicans with 21 points (8-of-17 FGs, 1-of-3 FTs), 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and four three-pointers.
Given how well he’s played, Swider would likely be a shutdown candidate if he arrived in Las Vegas on a guaranteed contract. He isn’t, which makes the Lakers forward’s performances more critical. Swider appeared in 10 NBA games last season, making eight appearances for the Raptors. The rebounding is just as important as his shooting ability, with Swider hitting double digits in two straight games. If he can prove consistently valuable in that area to supplement the perimeter shooting, that would improve Swider’s chances of earning, at a minimum, a training camp invitation.