Editor’s Note: For the second year in a row, the Silver Screen and Roll staff is counting down the most interesting Lakers heading into next season. We will be going through all 20 training camp spots before the season begins, and today we continue with No. 16, Zach Norvell Jr.

For the first time since 2013, the Los Angeles Lakers did not have a player selected in the lottery or taken in the first round participate in Summer League.

While this note may be a good thing in the grand scheme of where the team currently stands in terms of contending, there is little denying it sapped most of the fun from the sun-soaked annual event for fans.

Although mostly underwhelming as a group (1-4 record in Las Vegas) there was one player who suited up however that the Lakers will likely closely monitor going forward, and who also helped provide arguably the most memorable moment during the exhibition tourney for the team:

Zach Norvell Jr. with the clutch Summer League game winner pic.twitter.com/aeyfUTWOH1 — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 3, 2019

For those who did not follow the non-Zion portions of the NCAA closely this past season, this dagger three (against Sacramento of all opponents) was a pretty perfect first impression of what Zach Norvell Jr. has to offer.

After proving to be a key cog with Gonzaga the last two years, Norvell took the plunge this past June as he threw his name into the NBA Draft pool.

Unable to get officially selected on draft night, the 21-year-old did not have to wait long in finding a home, as the Lakers swiftly inked him to a two-way contract early the next morning. The deal allows Norvell to spend a maximum of 45 days at the NBA level and play the majority of the season with the team’s G-League affiliate squad, the South Bay Lakers.

Since the league legislated the additional roster spots back in 2017, the Lakers have actively used their two-way contracts to both bring in and develop young, inexpensive talent for their South Bay club and main roster.

Norvell, along with recent pick-up Kostas Antetokounmpo, joins Gary Payton II, Johnathan Williams, Vander Blue and their most successful signing to date— Alex Caruso — as the team’s only two-way deals handed out up until this point. The value contract has provided mixed dividends thus far.

For Norvell, the path to success is relatively simple, albeit not guaranteed. In order to become the team's next success story, all Norvell has to do is continue to do what he does best — shoot the hell out of the ball.

Last season, the left-handed sniper established himself as of the more efficient and deadly shooters in the NCAA, scoring 1.12 points per spot-up possession (86th percentile) 1.08 points per jump-shot in the half court (81st percentile) and 1.15 points on his catch-and-shoot chances (76th percentile), according to Synergy.

The Lakers front office had a clear goal in mind this summer of adding perimeter help to what was the 27th rated spot-up shooting team last season, and Norvell’s marksmanship fits the mold of player the Lakers have coveted this offseason.

And while there is never such thing as “too much shooting” — especially on a team with LeBron James on it — Norvell will also have to show he can add enough other ancillary skills to differentiate himself as more than just simply a catch-and-shoot guy. And ultimately warrant getting playing time over veterans signed this summer.

One of the easiest ways to do this, and earn a spot in the eyes of defensive-minded coach Frank Vogel’s eyes, is by proving that he can play defense.

And although he only possesses a wingspan that barely exceeds his 6’5” standing height (with shoes on) Norvell mostly flashed good fight and effort on that end during Summer League. However, like most rookies, he was not without possessions that waned, specifically on-ball.

Last season Norvell rated in the 33rd percentile in defending isolation possessions in college, and when his opponents attempted to drive on the former Bulldog, his defensive numbers dropped to the 30th percentile. Unfortunately, there were still a few instances in which this continued this summer, as Norvell often fell flat-footed at the point of attack.

Norvell’s defense will be just one of the many skills the Lakers’ player development staff will look to improve, and unlock in his game this upcoming season. And with so few young players on the roster, Norvell may benefit from the increased reps and usage allotted to him with South Bay.

Whether or not Norvell makes the rare immediate impact that so few rookies do — especially undrafted ones — finding productive pieces around the margins will be essential for this team going forward as a large portion of their cap space will be used on James and Anthony Davis. Utilizing and developing talent through their two-way contracts and G-League system will be one major way in doing so.

At this stage, and with technically no real sample of what he could do against NBA competition to go off of, Norvell’s projected impact on the Lakers is still very much in wait-and-see mode. But with a silky smooth jumper and chip on his shoulder, Norvell has as good of a shot of anyone to be the team’s next under-the-radar, young acquisition to pay potentially big dividends. Something the team will need quite a few of in their quest back to contention, and as reinforcements to help them stay there.

20. Aric Holman

19. Jordan Caroline

18. Devontae Cacok

17. Kostas Antetokounmpo

16. Zach Norvell Jr.

All stats and video per NBA.com unless otherwise noted. You can follow Alex on Twitter at @AlexmRegla. For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.