LAS VEGAS — The defensive traits of Chris Manon are hard to ignore – just gaze at the first play of the Lakers’ Tuesday night summer league clash against the Clippers as evidence.
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Matched up against the fifth-overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Keaton Wagler, Manon hounded the Clippers guard the second the ball was tipped to him to begin the game. As Wagler attempted to create space against Manon in the backcourt, the second-year two-way guard tipped the ball down the court for a loose ball.
Those plays of pressure and tenacity have become the expected when it comes to Manon. The 6-foot-4 undrafted Manon earned 2025-26 NBA G League All-Defensive First Team honors in the 2025-26 G League season – averaging 2.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game in 46 appearances – and has continued to showcase his talents during the California Classic in San Francisco and the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, which runs through June 19.
“I try to be a winning player every time I step on the court,” Manon said on Saturday about his defensive ability. “I feel like that’s how I’ve kind of made my money, I guess. So, whenever I get out there, I just play as hard as I can, and usually good things happen when you do that.”
The Lakers re-signed Manon to a two-way contract before the Summer League began; a testament to what they believe the Cornell and Vanderbilt alumnus can become in the NBA. Where Manon knows he needs to improve, however, comes with a focus on his offensive skillset.
Tuesday night against the Clippers was a showcase of what Manon can be – a 3-and-D guard who can be relied upon to make open shots and create for himself on the court if called upon. He recorded a double-double: 17 points (5 for 14 from the field, 2 for 4 from 3-point range), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the Lakers’ 99-85 victory to move to 3-0 in the NBA Summer League.
Manon’s role on the summer-league Lakers has been quite different from what would be expected of him in an NBA environment – rotational minutes with often surefire scoring options on the court – as he’s often been called upon as an offensive focal point. Lakers summer league coach Ty Abbott said last week that Manon had been making good decisions when he’s been the primary ball-handler, setting screens, finishing at the rim and helping the team get out in transition.
The confidence of being asked to do more than normally expected within the summer environment, could pay dividends for Manon in his development, Abbott said.
“He’s getting opportunities that he likely wouldn’t or wouldn’t have many opportunities,” Abbott said. “You got to gain confidence from it. You’ve got to give it a shot. You got to go through some adversity. Sometimes it doesn’t look pretty, but you just got to get the reps.”
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Manon said last week that he’d been working on his craft before the summer exhibitions began, and wanted to show off the work he’s put in during the California Classic and summer league games.
“I’m super excited for the opportunities to touch some on-ball reps,” said Manon, who has averaged 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game with a 55.3% field goal percentage and a 36.4% 3-point percentage. “Honestly, I think I try to do whatever the team needs. And obviously with Luka (Doncic) and Austin (Reaves) on the floor, it’ll be obviously a different role. So, trying to be ready for any role is kind of what I have to mentally prepare for.”
As of Wednesday, the Lakers’ roster is full at 15 players after they agreed to terms with forward Ziaire Williams in free agency on Monday. Manon is set for another season playing up and down between the G League (Coachella Valley Lakers) and the NBA.
But there’s been clear two-way routes to playing time throughout the NBA: Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins made the jump from two-way G League guard to an important cog in the Eastern Conference’s best regular season team this past season.
Lakers General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka had mentioned Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell – a former two-way guard – as an example of what the Lakers could strive to replicate through development during the team’s end-of-season press conference in mid-May.
When asked last week if he sensed opportunity ahead with the Lakers – after plenty of turnover on the roster – heading into next season, Manon said he did.
“Sure,” Manon said. “I think it’s a new opportunity, obviously, to build a new team. And I’m super excited to get to know all of them and see their strengths and try to play off them and see how I can fit in.”
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