Jud Buechler discusses coaching Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League team

The Los Angeles Lakers begin Las Vegas Summer League play Friday, and their head coach for the event is a former Arizona Wildcat.

But it’s not Luke Walton.

UA alum Jud Buechler, entering his second season as an assistant with the Lakers, will be at the helm in Las Vegas.

Expectations are high for the rebuilding club.

“One of the big things that [Lakers general manager] Rob [Pelinka] talked to us about is our mentality of winning here and I think it starts right now during the Summer League,” Buechler told reporters. “So we’re going there to win the Summer League.”

And with a roster featuring No. 2 overall picks Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram — and UA alum Gabe York — L.A. will have a good chance of doing so.

Here’s what Buechler had to say about the team:

The Lakers face the rival LA Clippers on Friday at 5:30 p.m. PST in their opener.

Their full schedule and roster for the event can be found below. Former Wildcat Miles Simon is one of Buechler’s assistants.:

Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire