Eric Dixon has already promised what he will bring to LA Lakers from ‘day one’

After all, the Lakers’ latest signing led the NCAA in scoring, and he also shot a remarkable 41% from the three-point line last season.

Eric Dixon names what qualities of his game will stand out from Day one

Betting on an undrafted player doesn’t always pay off, but the Lakers have already succeeded once with Austin Reaves in recent memory.

In the case of Dixon, he’s already a proven scorer in the NCAA, but what else will he bring to the table in the league? Well, the former Villanova standout answered that in an interview with HoopsHype.

“Day one, I bring intelligence, toughness, and the ability to connect on both sides of the floor. One thing that stands out is my screening ability and my knack for helping teammates get open.

“I played with a lot of great guards in college last season, like Justin [Moore] and others. I took pride in getting those guys shots, and when they got hot, you couldn’t stop them,” Dixon proudly stated.

The 24-year-old wasn’t done as he pointed out one thing that NBA defenders will have to ‘respect’ about his game.

He added: “Defenders had to respect my ability to shoot, too. In my junior year, I didn’t shoot a lot, but when I did, I was open – defenses focused on everyone else, but I made my shots.

“That’s something I bring – connecting the team and making smart plays.”

Eric Dixon’s ‘comfortable’ defensive ability is a major boost for the LA Lakers

Despite a third-seed finish last season, the Lakers’ regular-season heroics were overshadowed by a first-round exit in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

A key reason behind it was a lack of effort on the defensive end of the floor. Evidently, heading into the 2025-26 season, the Lakers will hope to resolve this flaw, and it feels like signing Dixon was a step towards that direction.

“That’s something I’ll bring to the table. We switched a lot at Nova, and it’s something we worked on constantly. I’m comfortable guarding all positions, from point guards to centers,” Dixon said of his defense.

“My body type and the way I think about the game allow me to do that. Guarding threes, fours, and fives isn’t new to me. I’m excited for the challenge and to go up against the best in the world. I’m ready to step up,” the 6’8″ point forward concluded.

If Dixon can become a defensive anchor for the Lakers, it will certainly be a huge bonus for the team. For starters, it will take the load off LeBron James, who will be playing the 23rd season of his NBA career.

In addition, Dixon becoming an elite defender could be his ticket to getting his two-way contract converted to a permanent deal.