Cole

Swider

While Swider has seen action in the NBA each of the last three seasons, most of his playing time has come at the G League level. The 6-foot-9 forward appeared in 10 games with the Pistons and Raptors last season, averaging 5.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers in 16.9 minutes. Swider went on to play well for the Lakers’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, raising his profile, especially with overseas clubs.

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.

Swider excelled at the California Classic and started his time in Las Vegas well on Thursday. He is currently without a contract, so these performances are critical for Swider, who’s looking to impress decision-makers around the league. There’s no need to consider him for fantasy drafts, but there may come a point when some team gives Swider another opportunity to prove himself in the NBA.

While incoming rookies and high-upside returnees tend to be the focus of summer league competition, it’s also an essential proving ground for veterans looking to earn a longer NBA look. Swider qualifies, and he’s played well in the Lakers’ first two games of the summer. After scoring 24 points against the Warriors on Saturday, he produced another 20-point effort on Sunday. Swider is not a player to consider for fantasy leagues, but he is a player who may earn himself a two-way contract or training camp deal if he can build on his first two games of the month.

Swider has been trying to find his place in the NBA since going undrafted in 2022 but hasn’t been able to find a consistent spot. He has played in 35 games across three seasons, most recently with the Raptors, and now he’s looking to earn a roster spot with the Lakers. More performances like this could land him a two-way deal, but he isn’t a player to target in fantasy basketball.

Robinson has been the more impactful player of the two in fantasy, as he picked up a few starts on nights when Toronto was without Jakob Poeltl. As for Swider, he provided additional depth on the wing after agreeing to a 10-day contract in late March. However, the door is not officially closed on either player’s return, as the Raptors have two open roster spots. One or both could be signed to a multi-year deal over the weekend. AJ Lawson could also be given a standard deal, which would free up a two-way slot.

This second contract will keep Swider with Toronto for the remainder of the season. He made six appearances on the first 10-day deal and averaged 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers in 17.8 minutes per game. As the season winds down, he could take on more minutes, but he isn’t a player to target in fantasy basketball.

Rhoden will not be available for Sunday’s game, leaving the Raptors light on available wing options. AJ Lawson and Cole Swider are two players whose minutes should increase due to the perimeter absences. Lawson offers a higher streaming ceiling.

Swider appeared in two games for roughly 13 minutes for the Pistons in November, but he has been in the G League since then, most recently with the South Bay Lakers. Toronto has been actively trying to improve their lottery odds, so Swider could end up playing a real role for them. However, it’s unclear at this point what that will look like, and he doesn’t have a history of fantasy success. Colin Castleton’s second 10-day contract just expired, and instead of signing him for the rest of the season, the Raptors will give Swider a shot.

The Pistons were active on Saturday, signing Swider and Williams off of waivers. Both were with the Heat organization last season, with Swider going through training camp with the Pacers and Williams with the Clippers. Fantasy managers should not expect either to have an impact, so leave them on the draft board.