"Yeah, we want him to play on the ball," Lakers assistant and Vegas Summer League coach Lindsay Harding said, according to Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. "Especially in tight moments, I like the ball in his hands and I want him to make those decisions."

LAS VEGAS — Cole Swider racked up a game-high 21 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 94-81 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA 2K26 Summer League on Saturday at Thomas & Mack Center.

As the Summer League team’s starting point guard, the Lakers want to see James be more assertive with his decision-making in crucial moments, according to assistant coach Lindsey Harding. Los Angeles wants to see James have the ball in his hands as much as possible, particularly in “tight moments.”