Will Davo Hickey's Magic moment turn into contract?

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Earvin “Magic” Johnson and NBL champion William “Davo” Hickey – starting point guards for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Magic is a Hall of Fame, five-time NBA champion and the greatest point guard in history, while Hickey has played just two games as a starter for the Lakers at the 2026 Summer League in Las Vegas, but they both have that designation on their resumes.

NBL25 champion Hickey, 27, played for the Los Angeles Lakers G League affiliate South Bay Lakers last season in a short burst, and the organisation has brought him back for the off-season showcase in Nevada.

The Australian Boomers guard suited up for Josh Giddey's Chicago Bulls at last year’s tournament and told former Sydney Kings captain Brad Rosen “confidence” is the major difference between his game 12 months ago and today.

“I guess it's confidence,” Hickey said.

“Confidence is everything. Once you sort of get a taste of it, you understand, ‘Okay, I feel like I can be out there and I can help. I can help contribute to winning’.

“That was a big part of it. Then, obviously, just having that time beforehand and working hard helps with confidence as well. Anything that can help build that confidence.

“It's sort of been a long journey, but we're here now and, like I said, doing whatever I can to help us win.”

The Lakers are 2-0, and Hickey has averaged 15 minutes as a starter running the offense.

“It's a lot quicker (than the NBL),” Hickey said.

“It's very up and down. It's very... It's a lot... I'm not going to say more physical, but it's very physical.

“You get 10 fouls, so people are using them, you know.

“But other than that, it's very comparable in the sense of the speed, I feel like.

“Just the organisational part.

“I'm trying to keep the guys in order and get them the ball in the right spots — just the little things.

“I'm being realistic coming into a side like this. It's trying to help guys that are already here or looking to be here and make their life a bit easier.

“If I can walk away and say that I've done a good job at that, then I'm happy.

Hickey shared the moment he found out he’d be starting in the Vegas edition of Summer League after the California Classic last week.

“It was after the Golden State game in San Fran,” he revealed.

“We went through a shoot around in the morning and coach just read out the starters. I was one of them, and it surprised me, so I just took that opportunity.

“I don't think we've dropped one... I don't want to say it, but yeah. It's been good.”

The Lakers next Summer League game is against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 12pm (AED

What does it mean for William “Davo” Hickey’s potential NBA career

In Summer League, coaches typically use the starting lineup to evaluate the players they believe have the best chance of earning a roster spot, a two-way contract, or a significant role with their G League affiliate.

The fact Hickey has started both games suggests the Lakers wanted an extended look at him against opposing first units rather than burying him in garbage-time minutes.

A few things stand out:

• Trust: Starting twice indicates the coaching staff values him as someone who can organise the offence and defend the point of attack.
• Role over numbers: His stat lines (nine points, seven rebounds, three assists in Game 1; two points, five rebounds, two assists in Game 2) aren't eye-popping, but he's contributed across the board without forcing shots. Summer League isn't always about scoring – it's about showing you can play within a system.
• Competition: The Lakers have rotated several players, but Hickey has remained with the first unit in consecutive games. That's generally more significant than coming off the bench and scoring 20 points against reserves.
• What's next: If he continues to start throughout Summer League, it strengthens his case for a training camp invitation, an Exhibit 10 deal, or a place with the Lakers' G League affiliate. A two-way contract is a higher bar and would likely require him to separate himself over the remaining games.

The biggest takeaway isn't that Hickey has started twice – it's that the Lakers have consistently trusted him to start twice. For an undrafted Australian guard arriving from the NBL, that's an encouraging endorsement early in the evaluation process.

2025 NBA Draft pick Rocco Zikarsky has started both games for Minnesota. Among the Australians in Las Vegas, Hickey and Zikarsky are the only two to have opened both games with the first unit, which indicates both organisations are giving them every opportunity to prove they belong.