Syracuse’s Cole Swider signs two-way contract with the Lakers

Since they didn’t have a first-round pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers were expected to look at all available resources available to them so they could get their hands on a diamond in the rough.

They acquired the 35th pick in the draft, which they used on Michigan State University guard Max Christie, and they also signed a couple of undrafted rookie free agents.

One of them is Cole Swider, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Syracuse University.

Swider was thought to have an outside chance of being taken in the second round of the draft, as several teams, including the Lakers, invited him for a workout.

In fact, the Lakers and two other squads asked him to come back for a second workout, which is often a good sign.

A closer look at Swider

At 220 pounds, Swider can play either forward spot, although he may primarily play the power forward spot in the NBA.

He started his college career with Villanova University, and in three seasons there, he never averaged more than 6.1 points or 2.9 rebounds a game, as he started only 17 of 77 contests.

Swider transferred to Syracuse for this season, and it was where he started to blossom.

The Rhode Island native started all 33 games this year and put up 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a game.

Swider’s biggest strength is his shooting. He made 41.1 percent of his 3-point attempts this year, and he appears to have a nice stroke.

His ability to hit shots off the pass and off ball and player movement could make him a nice fit alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis and possibly Russell Westbrook.

Swider is a solid athlete, and he is also a decent defender as well.

The concern with him is that he lacks some quickness, which could hurt him on the defensive end, and his shooting can be a bit inconsistent.

But the potential seems to be there for him to become a forward or big man who can stretch the floor and keep defenses honest.

Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire