The Los Angeles Lakers made an unexpected move recently when the team decided to part ways with rookie guard Zach Norvell Jr., who inked a two-way deal with the team on July 1. The Gonzaga product made a name for himself during the NBA Summer League, putting his scoring ability and clutch shooting on display in Las Vegas following the two-way deal he signed with the team.

That solid play carried over into the preseason, where he led the team in scoring twice, with his best performance coming in the finale against the Golden State Warriors. He battled back and forth with Stephen Curry and D'Angelo Russell, scoring 29 points for Los Angeles.

Even though the Lakers chose to waive the promising young guard in favor of Devontae Cacok of the South Bay Lakers, Norvell's journey in the NBA is far from over, as he has shown the potential to be a force on the next level. ClutchPoints recently spoke with someone that knows Norvell and the Lakers quite well, with two-time NBA champion and Gonzaga legend Adam Morrison sharing his thoughts on the 22-year-old.

“Great player. Great shooter,” Morrison said of Norvell. “We wish we could still have him at Gonzaga. He was terrific for us. Like I said, I called the games, so I watched his whole career up close.”

Morrison, who won his two titles with the Lakers, is now a radio analyst for Gonzaga. The former Zags star got to see Norvell up close and personal for the two seasons the Chicago native played with the program. Morrison believes Norvell has a chance to shine on the NBA level.

“I think he's got a chance,” Morrison said. “Obviously, there are things he's got to improve on. That's everybody that walks into the NBA. You figure that out pretty quick.

“Good kid. Hard worker. Wishing him all the best … Great kid! And his background, he was inner-city Chicago. He was in the real Chicago. Us at Gonzaga, we love trying to help kids out who work hard and are good kids and kind of get out of ruts and turn their lives in for the better. We love Zach! I liked him as a kid as a person. We were proud of him and how he played at Gonzaga. It just makes you feel good when kids like that can go two ways, and he chose the right way and did it the right way. We're rooting for him. We want him to be successful.”

As Morrison knows all too well, an NBA player has to be consistent, especially when shooting is the player's best attribute. Norvell shot at a high clip during his stint with Gonzaga at 44.4 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range.

“I think if he can shoot it consistently,” Morrison said. “That's the biggest thing. Everybody knows that. You have to be a knockdown shooter. He can do that, and if it doesn't work out in the NBA, I think he's good enough to make real money overseas. There's good basketball over there. You still get the joys of basketball as well, so I think he's got a bright future wherever the path may lead, but I'm happy for him because he kind of took a jump leaving a couple of years early and grinded his way, I watched him in the Summer League, and he played his tail off and grinded his way to a two-way [contract], so there's nothing to be ashamed of that.

“He can play. He can go. The next step for him, for everybody, is being consistent. You have to be a consistent shooter in today's league. That's something that he has definitely put the time in. That usually comes with maturity and being in the league and seeing how guys are pros. Your body getting stronger and all those things to that aspect, and I guarantee he's doing all of that stuff.

“We're excited for him at Gonzaga. He's one of ours. We just want him to be successful.”

During his time with the South Bay Lakers, Norvell averaged 13.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 35.3 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from beyond the arc. Norvell played 12 games with South Bay while on the two-way deal with the Lakers.

Although Norvell's shooting percentages with South Bay weren't great for a player who excels in that area, it's hard to imagine him not getting another opportunity. It'll be interesting to see where his career goes from here and whether he can become that knockdown shooter Morrison believes he can be in the NBA.