The 2025 NBA Summer League TV Guide
Every Roster for the 2025 NBA Summer League. Rookies, Returners, Too Good For Summer League Candidates: all of them, for every team.
What happens in Vegas, echoes in summer league eternity.
Congratulations! You made it through the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, it’s time to get a look at your new exciting rookies for your favorite NBA team.
Look, we all know the drill when it comes to how exciting it is to have new basketball in our lives. NBA Summer League has become an extremely popular event over the years, and it only continues to get bigger.
Each year for No Ceilings, I like to go all out to try to give NBA fans a special “gift” ahead of the Las Vegas Summer League. I wanted to give every fan base a quick breakdown of players they should be looking out for in Vegas.
That’s not only for their favorite team, but say you’re gettting home and wanting to throw on some hoops. You want to know “hey, who are the guys in this one I should be watching out for?” Well, I got you covered.
Every NBA team. Rookies, returners, some sleepers. All of the good stuff.
Welcome to the NBA Summer League TV Guide.
ATLANTA HAWKS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Asa Newell (23rd)
NOTABLES: Nikola Djurisic, Kobe Bufkin, Adam Flagler, Lamont Butler, Kobe Johnson
KEEP AN EYE ON: Kobe Bufkin
SUMMARY: Let’s get the party started, as always, with the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks announced their Summer League roster without 2024 NBA Draft first overall selection Zaccharie Risacher on the roster. It shouldn’t be of much of a surprise to see a top overall pick not suiting up at Summer League, but just sharing here for the sickos. Risacher had plenty of impressive showings throughout his rookie campaign before finishing second overall in the Rookie of the Year voting. He should be a name that is poised for a solid second-year leap.
Atlanta has been the talk of the NBA throughout the offseason. The Hawks landed Georgia freshman big man Asa Newell with the 23rd overall pick after a draft night trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. Newell was a popular name throughout the pre-draft process due to his numerous impressive workouts. There were some rumblings that the Hawks could have been Newell at 13 before they traded back and picked up an unprotected 2026 first round pick from the Pelicans. If true, it’s a remarkable accomplishment for the Hawks to get their guy 10 picks later as well as future capital. Newell is a grinder of a big man. He’s got great hands and touch around the basket with an outside shot that continues to trend in the right direction. After an impressive offseason of adding talent to the roster, Newell should be one to watch as a rotation big with fun two-way potential.
A sneaky one to watch out for is second-year wing Nikola Djurisic. The former 43rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft looked like an intriguing get for the Hawks last year. Djurisic suffered a fractured foot during a summer league game last year and was forced to have surgery. He’d eventually spend the majority of his rookie campaign in the G League with the College Park Skyhawks. In 32 games, Djurisic averaged 10.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in 22.8 minutes. The playmaking and feel, paired with the size, have always been a big sell for Djurisic. If the outside shot can come along, he’s got the tools to be a legit piece on this roster moving forward.
The big one to watch out for here is Kobe Bufkin. Still just 21 years old, Bufkin will be getting ready for his third season of NBA duty. We all know that guards take time to find their groove in the NBA, and Bufkin looks like a player who could be poised to finally take that necessary step. With Atlanta’s roster filling up in a hurry, Bufkin will need a solid showing to showcase he can earn a legit spot in the rotation. His first two seasons of tenure have seen Bufkin miss some time due to injuries. When he’s played in the G League, Bufkin has looked like a player who “doesn’t belong” in a good way. This Summer League will be big for his development, and he should be one of the top names to keep an eye on.
Plenty of familiar names in the college basketball world appear on the Hawks Summer League roster as well. Former San Diego State and Kentucky product Lamont Butler is as tough as they come when it comes to guard. Butler is a relentless defender who knows how to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Adam Flagler and Kobe Johnson are two talented pieces as well to watch out for. Johnson has the size and versatility to be an intriguing developmental talent—especially with his defensive playmaking. Don’t forget about Chattanooga big man Jake Stephens as well. Stephens has shown the ability to fill up the box scores while also stretching the floor from deep.
BOSTON CELTICS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Hugo Gonzalez (28th), Amari Williams (46th), Max Shulga (57th)
NOTABLES: Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Drew Peterson, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Jalen Bridges
KEEP AN EYE ON: Baylor Scheierman
SUMMARY: It seems as if the Boston Celtics will have a bit more attention at Summer League than in previous years. The Celtics have had to make some drastic changes to their roster this year as the team has had to deal with second apron navigation, as well as the expectation that they will be without superstar Jayson Tatum for the year. Time will tell the direction of the Celtics ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. But for now, it looks as if this team could be looking to give a number of young pieces on their roster some extended minutes.
Boston landed one of the most intriguing talents in the international pool with the 28th overall selection in Hugo Gonzalez. Once viewed as a potential preseason lottery selection, Gonzalez struggled to get minutes for international powerhouse Real Madrid. It wasn’t due to a lack of talent, as Real Madrid featured a roster that was FULL of former NBA players. Still, Gonzalez has a fascinating set of tools that could make him a legit talent for the Celtics to groom as soon as possible. Gonzalez is as relentless as they come on the basketball court. He’s a sensational cutter off the ball and plays with his hair on fire. If he suits up at Summer League (trending in that direction), it shouldn’t take long for Celtics fans to find a new fan favorite.
There’s going to be plenty of other names that deserve some special focus, as they could be earning a shot in the rotation this year for Boston. One of those players is third-year wing Jordan Walsh. A former second round pick in 2023, Walsh has always had the defensive tools to be a dangerous addition for this roster. The outside shot is the last piece of the puzzle for Walsh, and it’s shown some real promising development over the years. The Celtics will be eager to find a player who can take a leap and be a contributor on this roster. Walsh will have a big opportunity to showcase he’s ready to roll.
Don’t overlook a pair of second round picks from the 2025 NBA Draft class as well. Kentucky Wildcats big man Amari Williams could suddenly become an important piece for this roster. The Celtics lost Luke Kornet to free agency after Kornet signed a four-year, $41 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs. With Al Horford’s free agency decision pending, the Celtics could be suddenly thin at the big man position. Williams has the tools to fit this Celtics system like a glove. He’s a physical presence around the basket with fantastic vision. Max Shulga gives the Celtics another intriguing backcourt addition with good size and two-way versatility. He will deserve a lengthy look at Summer League.
The one to watch out for here is second-year wing Baylor Scheierman. The smooth-shooting lefty is looking like a player who could earn a MAJOR uptick in minutes this year for the Celtics. Scheierman had his flashes during his rookie season, but wasn’t going to earn serious minutes with the previous roster construction. Now, it looks like Scheierman could be force-fed some minutes this year. He should be ready to roll and send a statement that he’s ready to take on the challenge.
BROOKLYN NETS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS:
Egor Demin (8th), Nolan Traore (19th), Drake Powell (22nd), Ben Saraf (26th), Danny Wolf (27th)
NOTABLES:
Tosan Evbuomwan, Grant Nelson, Drew Timme
KEEP AN EYE ON: Egor Demin
SUMMARY: The Brooklyn Nets headed into the 2025 NBA Draft with an eye-opening five first round picks. Usually, when a team has that sort of draft capital, odds are that one of those picks would be moved. However, the Brooklyn Nets are starting from the ground up in their rebuild—which means this roster needs a surplus of talent in order to form an identity.
Brooklyn ended up using all of their selections, drawing some interesting reactions for the direction that they went with those picks. The Nets added three guards in the first round, all of whom have sensational playmaking and feel paired with some questions about their outside shot. You could have guessed it: those five selections are going to draw plenty of attention with this Summer League roster. Let’s break it down.
The Nets first went swinging on BYU freshman guard Egor Demin with the 8th overall selection. The buzz continued to surround Brooklyn and the talented BYU guard, as the Nets spent a lengthy amount of time with Egor. Demin was a polarizing evaluation for scouts, as his only season at BYU was full of plenty of highs and lows. At the beginning of the 2024-25 NCAA season, Demin was sensational and looked like a potential Top 5 pick. After missing some time with an injury, followed by some disappointing outings against tougher competition, the buzz started to cool on Demin. He measured in at around 6’9” in shoes and has some jaw-dropping natural talent as a playmaking wizard. Demin’s size and playmaking are a lot to get excited about, but the strength and outside shot will be the golden ticket to unlocking a unique weapon at the next level.
Nolan Traore would end up getting the call from Brooklyn with the 19th overall pick. Traore was a name that had some lofty preseason expectations in the scouting world. Many viewed Traore as a potential Top 5 pick in the preseason, especially after a fantastic showing at the Nike Hoop Summit. Traore started off his international season on a high note, but hit a bit of a “wall” and saw his play decline. After dealing with inefficiency and turnover issues, the buzz surrounding Traore started to cool. But that was until he had a strong second half of the season, generating some intrigue once again in the scouting world. Traore is lightning quick with the ball in his hands. He can hit the turbo button and blow by on-ball defenders with relative ease. There’s some finesse and creativity to his game around the basket as well. You’re going to hear this a lot with some of Brooklyn’s picks…but it comes down to the shot. Traore has had some stretches this year where the shot looks promising, but that’s been followed up by some rough patches as well.
With their third first-round pick, Brooklyn used the 22nd selection on freshman wing Drake Powell. Another highly-touted prospect out of high school, Powell played for North Carolina last year on a roster that was full of logjams. There’s still a bundle of tools to unlock for Powell, but his ability on the defensive side of the ball is good enough to get him serious minutes as a rookie. Yes, it’s that good. The shot is going to be a work in progress, but the motor, athleticism, and defensive ability give Powell a fascinating foundation to work with.
Despite adding two playmaking guards earlier in the first round, the Nets decided to add another intriguing value selection to their guard room. Brooklyn added Ben Saraf with the 26th overall pick, and it’s one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Saraf is a competitive force on the court who is willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone. He measured in with impressive numbers at around 6’6” without shoes. The Ratiopharm Ulm floor general is a wizard with the ball in his hands, and he plays the game with great pace and vision. He could be one that surprises some folks early in Las Vegas.
But FINALLY, the man you’ve all been waiting for: Michigan big man Danny Wolf was one of the most interesting storylines heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. No prospect in this class had such a wide range when it came to his potential landing spot on the night of the draft. Regardless, Wolf landed with the Nets, who used the 27th overall pick on him. Wolf had a tremendous season for the Wolverines and was used HEAVILY as a focal point on offense. He’s got some outstanding playmaking and anticipation on the offensive side of the ball. If the shot can continue to be consistent, Wolf has the tools to be a great asset in the pick-and-roll game as a decision maker and as a pick-and-pop threat.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Kon Knueppel (4th), Liam McNeeley (29th), Sion James (33rd), Ryan Kalkbrenner (34th)
NOTABLES: Tidjane Salaun, KJ Simpson, P.J. Hall, D.J. Rodman
KEEP AN EYE ON: Tidjane Salaun
SUMMARY: WHAT AN OFFSEASON WE ARE HAVING, CHARLOTTE! Hornets fans, it’s so awesome to finally see some excitement in those eyes. Let’s get to it. Charlotte was in a great spot to add some serious pieces to this roster heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. After a draft night trade with the Phoenix Suns, the Hornets added another first round selection in the Mark Williams trade.
The Hornets added a heck of a piece with the fourth overall pick in Duke freshman wing Kon Knueppel. One of the highest floor prospects at the top of the draft, Knueppel is a player who just simply knows how to play the game. Not only can he shoot the cover off the ball, but Knueppel is a relentless worker who battles and knows how to use his footwork and strength to defeat challengers. He’s a smart player on both sides of the ball and is a much better playmaker than some might realize. Knueppel should be a fun one to watch early on in Las Vegas.
Charlotte added another great value in UConn freshman Liam McNeeley with the 29th overall pick. McNeeley came into the 2025 NBA Draft cycle as a potential Top 10 selection. During his senior season of high school, McNeeley was playing for a stacked Montverde team that featured the likes of Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, and Asa Newell. When surrounded by that type of talent, McNeeley was a force with his floor spacing and toughness. Liam was off to a strong start this year for UConn before an injury saw him miss some time, and his efficiency started to decline once he returned. The role and situation from a rocky season could still be casting a cloud over McNeeley’s potential. For a team like the Hornets, McNeeley could be a HECK of a get at the end of the first round. He will be out to prove a point early on in Las Vegas.
The Hornets did some great work in the second round as well. They added Duke wing Sion James and Creighton big man Ryan Kalkbrenner. Both have the tools to be legit rotation pieces early on as rookies. James is a bulldog in the backcourt who uses his physical frame to pressure ball handlers. The floor spacing took a big step last year, and he’s got the tools to be a solid rotation piece early on. After trading Mark Williams to the Suns, the Hornets needed to invest in their frontcourt, and they got a BIG piece in Ryan Kalkbrenner. A giant of a man, Kalkbrenner is much more fluid than his size might suggest. He’s got a legit opportunity to earn some early minutes in Charlotte given their frontcourt depth.
But let’s talk about the returners for a second. One name is going to draw plenty of attention from basketball fans at Summer League. The Charlotte Hornets took a SWING last year when they selected international forward Tijdane Salaun with the sixth overall selection. After getting some run during his rookie year, Salaun will now be able to show if he’s ready to take the next step in his development. If he can impress at Summer League, Salaun’s motor and size could really pop this year, given the floor spacing assets added to the roster.
CHICAGO BULLS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Noa Essengue (12th), Lachlan Olbrich (55th)
NOTABLES: Matas Buzelis, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Josh Primo, Wooga Poplar, Yuki Kawamura
KEEP AN EYE ON: Noa Essengue
TOO GOOD FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Matas Buzelis
SUMMARY: The Bulls continue to try to get the needle moving forward when it comes to their rebuild. A year after the Chicago Bulls looked to have landed a heck of a piece in Matas Buzelis, the team once again went swinging in the lottery. This time, the Bulls landed international forward Noa Essengue with the 12th overall selection.
Essengue, one of the youngest players in this class, was a popular name in the scouting world. After being viewed as a potential top-20 selection throughout the year, Essengue started to see his stock heat up after some impressive showings throughout the second half of the season. Essengue had been playing with Ratiopharm Ulm for the last couple of years and started to generate buzz during his days with Ulm’s youth club, OrangeAcademy. A lengthy forward who has shown some fantastic tools on both sides of the ball, Essengue is going to require patience from Bulls fans. It’s not due to a lack of talent, but Essengue is so young in his development. The intel and work ethic have always come back strong, so Essengue is going to be a fun one to watch develop in Chicago. If it clicks, the Bulls could have a dangerous combination of forwards in Essengue and Buzelis for years to come.
Chicago added another international prospect in the second round that shouldn’t be ignored. Lachlan Olbrich spent the last year in the NBL with the Illawarra Hawks. Despite not having eye-opening measurements, Olbrich just simply knows how to play the game. He’s a smart player who isn’t afraid to do the dirty work on the court. He should be an intriguing one to keep an eye on in Las Vegas.
The rest of the Bulls Summer League roster has some…interesting…names. Javon Freeman-Liberty should be a familiar name for Bulls fans. He’s had a couple of stops in the G League with the Windy City Bulls and will be trying to impress to earn a roster spot moving forward. Yes, you read that correctly. Josh Primo finds his way onto the Bulls Summer League roster. Primo was drafted 12th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. After some off-court issues in October of 2022, Primo eventually signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023. After struggling to crack the rotation, Primo was eventually waived in April.
Wooga Poplar will be a sleeper to keep an eye on. After spending some time at Miami, Poplar spent the last year at Villanova and can get red hot from beyond the perimeter. Yuki Kawamura should draw plenty of fans in Las Vegas as a potential crowd favorite. The Japanese guard spent 22 games last season with the Memphis Grizzlies and will be trying to carve out a spot on the roster. Despite being undersized at 5’8”, Yuki is lightning in a bottle with some great playmaking ability.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Tyrese Proctor (49th), Saliou Niang (58th)
NOTABLES: Jaylon Tyson, Tristan Enaruna, Craig Porter Jr., Jaxson Robinson, Nae’Qwan Tomlin
KEEP AN EYE ON: Jaylon Tyson
SUMMARY: The Cleveland Cavaliers feature some intriguing names on their Summer League roster in Las Vegas. Cleveland emerged from the 2025 NBA Draft with only two second round selections. The first one was a notable one, as the Cavaliers selected former Duke Blue Devils guard Tyrese Proctor with the 49th pick. Proctor was once a big-time recruit for Duke after reclassifying to join the team early. After three seasons with the Blue Devils, Proctor finally finds himself eager to make the next jump. Each year at Duke, Proctor continued to add a little bit to his game. This year, he took a big step with his three-point shooting. With promising size and the fact that he’s still just 21 years old, Proctor is an intriguing piece to keep an eye on as a potential backcourt developmental talent.
Near the end of the second round, the Cavaliers selected international forward Saliou Niang with the 58th overall pick. Niang spent last year with Dolomiti Energia Trento (Italy) and is expected to be stashed overseas for the upcoming year. Still, the late riser in the pre-draft process is one to keep an eye on in Las Vegas as a potential sleeper.
There are some notables on this Cavaliers roster that deserve a lot of spotlight ahead of Las Vegas. After going undrafted last year, Tristan Enaruna finds his way on the Cavaliers Summer League roster. Enaruna was a sleeper coming out of Cleveland State last year and spent the previous season in the G League with the Maine Celtics. The 6’8” forward averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 46.6% from the field in 46 games. Enaruna has some skill to his game, but the outside shot will need to take a step (29.4% last year on 3.3 attempts).
After looking like a potential breakout candidate before last season, Craig Porter Jr. finds himself back for another go in Las Vegas. Porter showed some serious flashes a couple of seasons ago when the Cavaliers needed someone to step in their rotation. Despite those flashes, the leap didn’t come last year for CPJ. He should be motivated to showcase that he deserves a crack at more minutes in the rotation.
Keep an eye on a pair of sleepers as well. Jaxson Robinson went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, but there’s potential to keep an eye on. Robinson can get red hot from beyond the arc and made a name for himself during his collegiate days at BYU. After transferring to Kentucky for his final season, Robinson’s season was cut short due to a wrist injury early in the year. Nae’Qwan Tomlin also finds himself on the Cavaliers roster after spending the majority of his rookie year in the G League with the Cleveland Charge. Tomlin averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game last year in 29.9 minutes.
The name to keep a CLOSE eye on for the Cavaliers is second-year wing Jaylon Tyson. After being selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Tyson was one of the most impressive players last year at Summer League. He went on to have plenty of impressive showings throughout his rookie season, averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.2% from downtown. Tyson has the tools to be a player who could take a serious jump in year two for the Cavaliers. Don’t be surprised if he gets shut down early if he has a couple of strong outings.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Cooper Flagg (1st)
NOTABLES: Melvin Ajinca, Miles Kelley, Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Matthew Cleveland, Maxwell Lewis
KEEP AN EYE ON: I mean…Cooper Flagg, guys.
SUMMARY: Well, it’s about to get official, Dallas Mavericks fans. Cooper Flagg is about to take the floor for the Mavericks for the first time. The Mavericks fan base has gone through an emotional rollercoaster over the past year. But Las Vegas will give them an opportunity to welcome in a new era of Mavericks basketball. There will be plenty of buzz surrounding Flagg, and it’s well deserved. The combination of versatility, youth, and upside is tremendous. But an important reminder about the age, as Flagg still will have a bit of a “learning curve” when it comes to finding his groove. That hasn’t been a problem for the potential superstar, as Flagg showed TREMENDOUS growth last year at Duke while being asked to play different roles throughout the year.
There are a lot of familiar names on this Mavericks roster, so let’s get into it. Dallas spent the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on international wing Melvin Ajinca. He spent the last year stashed overseas with ASVEL and will be one to keep an eye on as Ajinca will try to earn a spot as a potential 3-and-D rotation piece. After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Miles Kelly finds himself on the Mavericks Summer League roster. Kelly is a floor spacing specialist who can enter NBA Jam mode in a hurry. After a promising couple of seasons at Georgia Tech, Kelly spent his final collegiate season at Auburn. He averaged 11.3 points per game last year for the Tigers while shooting 37.8% from three. If he’s going to stick, Kelly is going to have to be efficient and offer some other versatility, potentially defensively.
The big-time sleeper to watch in Las Vegas is Ryan Nembhard. Despite a promising collegiate campaign, Nembhard shockingly went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft class. In terms of natural floor generals, Nembhard can hang his hat with anyone in this rookie class. The brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, Ryan is a bit undersized at 6’0”, but he’s a tremendous table setter. He averaged an eye-opening 9.8 assists per game last year for Gonzaga and could have a real opportunity to stick on this roster with a strong showing in Vegas.
Nembhard’s teammate, Nolan Hickman, also finds his way on the Mavericks Summer League roster. Despite being a name that was buzzing at one point in his collegiate career, Hickman’s game never seemed to be unlocked as many were hoping. He’s still a name to watch out for as a potential rotation asset with upside. Miami forward Matthew Cleveland and Maxwell Lewis are two names to watch out for, especially if the Mavericks are looking for a potential wing with upside.
DENVER NUGGETS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: None
NOTABLES: DaRon Holmes II, Curtis Jones, EJ Liddell, Reece Beekman, Hunter Tyson, Keyontae Johnson
KEEP AN EYE ON: DaRon Holmes II
SUMMARY: The Denver Nuggets have had some serious firepower in Summer League over the last couple of years. While this year’s roster doesn’t carry the same type of “hammer” as previous years, there’s still some fascinating talent to monitor. With no selections in the 2025 NBA Draft, there are going to be a lot of returners who deserve some spotlight.
The one to watch out for is DaRon Holmes II. Denver traded up to get Holmes with the 22nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. After an impressive collegiate career at Dayton, Holmes looked to be the perfect addition for this Nuggets roster as a depth big behind Nikola Jokic with legit upside. Unfortunately, Holmes’s Summer League showing was brief last year. In the first game of Summer League last year, Holmes suffered a torn achilles and missed the entire season. With the injury behind him, Holmes will be more than motivated to remind folks why he was such a popular prospect.
After a couple of Summer League outings, 2023 second-round pick Hunter Tyson finds himself on the roster for another go. Tyson has looked like a player on the verge of a breakout each year. Unfortunately, that hasn’t led to earning minutes with the main roster. Tyson averaged 2.6 points per game with the Nuggets last year in just 7.8 minutes. If he wants to earn some more minutes, Tyson will need to hit the ground running.
Former Virginia point guard Reece Beekman finds his way onto the Nuggets Summer League roster. Beekman went undrafted last year and spent some time in the G League before playing 34 games with the Brooklyn Nets. Beekman has always had the tools to be a heck of an asset on the defensive side of the ball. If the offensive game can come around, especially with the shot, then Beekman could be a sneaky name to watch out for. A dark horse to watch out for on this roster ahead of Las Vegas is undrafted free agent Curtis Jones. The former Iowa State product was a fantastic sixth man last year for the Cyclones, due to their depth. Jones can light it up in the scoring column, but there’s also some intriguing two-way potential to his game.
DETROIT PISTONS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Chaz Lanier (37th)
NOTABLES: Ron Holland, Bobi Klintman, Dawson Garcia, Brice Williams, Daniss Jenkins
KEEP AN EYE ON: Ron Holland
SUMMARY: Fresh off a sensational season, the Detroit Pistons are suddenly looking like a young team on the rise in the Eastern Conference. Detroit continues to have a roster that features a plethora of young talent starting to come together, and this year’s Summer League squad has plenty of names to monitor.
Despite not having a first round pick in this year’s draft, Detroit landed an intriguing piece in the second round in Tennessee Volunteers sharpshooter Chaz Lanier. If you’re looking for a potential specialist who can really pack a punch from outside, Lanier is going to fill the bill. He’s an older player, but Lanier battled his way to generate buzz in the collegiate ranks before transferring to Tennessee for his final season. Lanier can get red hot in a hurry, and he was a name buzzing throughout the predraft process due to some impressive workouts. He’s a name that could intrigue early if he starts getting it rolling from outside. How much versatility he has, other than shooting, will be the key to him potentially surprising as a rookie.
The big one to keep an eye on here is second-year wing Ron Holland. Detroit invested in Holland last year with the fifth overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite that investment, the expectation was that Holland was going to be a prospect that required patience to unlock his potential. After some flashes throughout his rookie year, Holland is going to be one of the top names to keep an eye on this year at Summer League. The hope is that Holland’s offensive game can take a big step forward. He finished his rookie year averaging 6.4 points per game while shooting 23.8% from downtown in just 15.6 minutes. The potential remains high, and Holland should be eager to showcase that he’s ready to hit the ground running in his second season.
The sleeper here that deserves some serious recognition is second-year guard Daniss Jenkins. After going undrafted last year, Jenkins spent the majority of his rookie season in the G League with the Motor City Cruise. Jenkins quickly became one to keep a serious eye on, as he did some impressive things with the Cruise. In 47 games, Jenkins averaged 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 33.1% from downtown. He’s going to want to make a statement as a player who deserves a legit spot on this roster moving forward.
Much like Holland (above), second-year forward Bobi Klintman will be another interesting one to monitor. Klintman was the 37th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and has an intriguing set of skills as a potential 3-and-D option. Due to the success of the Pistons and their roster last year, Klintman also spent most of his rookie year in the G League. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game but shot just 28.6% from three. If Klintman wants to earn a potential shot in the rotation, the outside shot is going to be something that takes a nice step forward.
A couple of undrafted free agents deserve some attention as well. Former Minnesota forward Dawson Garcia can really fill up the scoring column on the offensive side of the ball. The dark horse here to watch out for is Brice Williams. Coming off a fantastic season at Nebraska, Williams can light it up offensively in a hurry. He averaged 20.4 points per game last year for the Cornhuskers and has some good size combined with the ability to pack a punch as a versatile scorer.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Alex Toohey (52nd), Will Richard (56th)
NOTABLES: Taran Armstrong, Jules Bernard, LJ Cryer, Isaiah Mobley
KEEP AN EYE ON: Taran Armstrong
SUMMARY: Despite not having a first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors added a pair of intriguing talents in the second round. This Summer League roster doesn’t have the “starpower” on paper, but there are some names to keep an eye on as players who could find a way to earn a spot with the big club.
Golden State made a sneaky interesting move during the second half of the regular season last year, signing former NBL guard Taran Armstrong to a two-way contract. The 6’5” guard is a playmaking wizard with great size and sensational vision on the court. Armstrong has the ability to be a fantastic floor general, but the question will be how the rest of the offensive game will develop. He’s going to be one that requires patience, but there’s no denying his playmaking and ability to set the table will generate attention. In only 11 games in the G League last year, Armstrong averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game while shooting 36.4% from downtown.
One of the big names to keep an eye on as a potential rookie contributor for Golden State will be second-round pick Will Richard. Part of the Florida Gators national championship team, Richard is a player who just knows how to play the game the right way. Although Richard gets the tag as a bit of a “specialist” due to his floor spacing upside, he’s coming off a year in which he had solid production and impressive advanced numbers to back it up. Richard is a classic example of a player who could have landed in the perfect situation. He’s going to know how to make winning plays, and that’s something that could be just what Golden State is looking for.
The other second round selection, Alex Toohey, should be another one to watch closely throughout Summer League. Toohey’s debut for Golden State has been delayed, due to a pending trade (always fun). A former touted recruit out of high school, Toohey initially committed to play for Gonzaga before switching to play a couple of years in the NBL. He’s a tough-minded forward with good size and a knack for making smart plays. If the shot can come around on a consistent level, Toohey has the goods to be a nice 3-and-D piece to groom.
Some other names to watch out for on this roster include LJ Cryer and Isaiah Mobley. Cryer is a bit undersized at around 6’1”, but just knows how to play the game. He was a college guard who simply knew how to make an impact beyond the box scores and was a big part of Houston’s success the last couple of years. The name I’m curious to see as a potential dark horse is big man Isaiah Mobley. The brother of Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, Isaiah has spent some time in the G League over the last couple of years and continues to look for a way to earn a spot on a roster. Mobley is a crafty big man with good skills that could make for a serviceable big in a rotation. For a team like Golden State, Mobley could be a very fun match when it comes to playing style and system.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: None (Hey, Kevin Durant)
NOTABLES: Reed Sheppard, Cameron Matthews, N’Faly Dante, Kennedy Chandler, Jermaine Samuels Jr., Adonis Arms
KEEP AN EYE ON: Reed Sheppard
SUMMARY: The Houston Rockets have made plenty of noise this NBA offseason. Not only did Houston go out and acquire Kevin Durant, but the Rockets have made some big-time moves with the acquisitions of Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith. The mentality is clear…Houston is ready for liftoff.
Because of that, all eyes are going to be zeroing in on one name. Despite all of the rookies that are going to be generating buzz in Las Vegas, basketball fans are foaming at the mouth to see what second-year guard Reed Sheppard can do at Summer League. Sheppard was a marvel last year after an eye-opening season at Kentucky. It resulted in Sheppard becoming the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Houston investing a plethora of draft capital over the years, as well as their previous offseason haul, it looked like a steep uphill climb for Sheppard to earn consistent minutes as a rookie. That happened to be just the case, as Sheppard averaged 4.4 points per game in just 12.6 minutes. When Sheppard struggled to get consistent minutes, the Rockets sent him down to the G League to get some playing time. It quickly became evident that Sheppard didn’t belong down there. In just three games in the G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Sheppard averaged 30.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 40.5% from downtown. Sheppard looks to be one of the top players from the 2024 draft class that is poised for a sophomore leap. He should have all of the opportunity in Las Vegas to get an extended run and showcase that he’s worthy of a big jump in the rotation, even with a contending roster.
The rest of Houston’s Summer League roster doesn’t have the “star power” as in previous years, but there are still some intriguing names to monitor. Undrafted free agent Cameron Matthews is one to watch out for as a developmental piece. Matthews is a DAWG defensively and has the tools to be a serious weapon on that side of the ball. He’s got good size and toughness, but his offensive game needs some work. N’Faly Dante spent the year in the G League last season with Rio Grande Valley and put up some impressive numbers. He averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 42 games.
Former Villanova product Jermaine Samules Jr. finds himself back again at Summer League, hoping to earn a spot on a roster. Like Dante, Samuels has spent the last couple of years with RGV in the G League. He averaged 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game last year while shooting 31.1% from downtown. Unlocking the three-ball on a consistent level would go a long way towards Samuels finding a chance to crack a roster.
Adonis Arms continues to be a sneaky dark horse to watch out for. Arms spent a couple of years in the G League before last year playing overseas in China. He’s a scrappy player who has continued to show some strides in the right direction with the three-point shot.
INDIANA PACERS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Kam Jones (38th), Taelon Peter (54th)
NOTABLES: Johnny Furphy, Enrique Freeman, R.J. Felton, Samson Johnson
KEEP AN EYE ON: Johnny Furphy
SUMMARY: Fresh off an incredible NBA Finals run, the Indiana Pacers will be a fascinating team to monitor moving forward this year. The bad news is that the Pacers will be without star point guard Tyrese Haliburton due to his injury. However, the good news is that the Pacers have built a roster with impressive depth that should be eager to prove that they can still make plenty of noise in the Eastern Conference.
Because of that, Indiana has some fascinating names on the roster that could be sleepers to keep an eye on as depth pieces. Indiana made some moves in the 2025 NBA Draft but still ended up with two intriguing pieces in the second round. The first was former Marquette guard Kam Jones, the player Indiana acquired after a draft day trade with the San Antonio Spurs. After an impressive 2023-24 season, Jones decided to return to Marquette for his senior year. The challenge was that Jones was going to get all he could handle as the go-to option, after former teammates Tyler Kolek (Knicks) and Oso Ighodaro (Suns) left for the NBA. It resulted in Jones having a mixed season, as he started out impressively but struggled to maintain his efficiency. Jones is at his best when he’s able to play both on and off the ball. He’s a shifty player with the ball in his hands who can get a bucket and use his tight-window quickness to set up defenders. Personally, I believe that Jones could be a heck of a steal for where the Pacers got him. Yes, regardless of the Pacers becoming a feeding frenzy of guards on their roster.
The Pacers then took a bit of a swing later in the second round when they selected Taelon Peter. The former Liberty product had himself a strong year, averaging 13.7 points per game while shooting an eye-opening 45.3% from deep. Peter was a big analytics darling, and it will be fascinating to see what he can do early on in Las Vegas.
The big name to watch out for with the Pacers roster is second-year wing Johnny Furphy. After an impressive freshman season at Kansas, Furphy ended up falling to the Pacers with the 35th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite his upside, Furphy was viewed as a player who would likely take a while to find his groove at the next level. Still just 20 years old, Furphy has the size and tools to be a nice rotation piece with two-way potential for years to come. The big question with Furphy coming into year two is how much of a step forward he can take. The basketball IQ and feel for the game are enough to intrigue, especially with his ability off the ball. If Furphy can develop his frame, as well as become a consistent threat from deep, he’s going to be a player who is going to claw his way for more minutes in the rotation.
The sleeper here to watch out for is second-year forward Enrique Freeman. The former Akron product was selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Freeman spent a good amount of time in the G League with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and produced some impressive numbers. In 16 games, he averaged 16.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. He also shot 53.9% from the field and 34.0% from downtown. Freeman, like Furphy, has the ability to be an impactful player without the ball in his hands. He will be eager to showcase that he deserves a solidified spot on the roster.
Some undrafted “specialists” deserve a bit of a look as wildcards as well. Samson Johnson had plenty of games in which he popped during his time at UConn. More likely a developmental big, Johnson is a fun one to keep on the radar. Don’t overlook UDFA R.J. Felton as well. The former East Carolina product is a tough-minded guard who knows how to fill up the scoring column. He will be a sneaky one to watch out for in Summer League.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Yanic Konan Niederhauser (30th), Kobe Sanders (50th)
NOTABLES: Kobe Brown, Jordan Miller, John Poulakidas, Trentyn Flowers, Cam Christie, Patrick Baldwin Jr, Jahmyl Telfort
KEEP AN EYE ON: Cam Christie
SUMMARY: Hey, this roster is all sorts of fun. Yes, you read that correctly, Los Angeles Clippers fans. There are a lot of names to get really intrigued with ahead of Las Vegas. The Clippers are going to have a roster that is trying to contend in the Western Conference; there’s no denying that. But at the same time, the team is also doing a good job of trying to find some young pieces to groom with the hope of creating some rotation pieces on the roster with upside.
Despite not being armed with serious draft capital in the 2025 NBA Draft, I thought the Clippers did a great job of adding two pieces with legit long-term upside. Los Angeles added one of the biggest pre-draft risers with the 30th overall pick in Yanic Konan Niederhauser. The former Penn State product is a rim-running big that can be a legit lob threat with upside. Expectations should be realistic for Niederhauser as a rookie, as the Clippers are more than likely trying to groom him for the long haul, given their current roster.
The sleeper name to watch out for is second-round selection Kobe Sanders. The Clippers acquired Sanders after a draft day trade, and there are a lot of tools to work with. Sanders spent his early collegiate days at Cal Poly before transferring to Nevada. He’s a 6’9” guard with some serious playmaking ability and a shot that is trending in the right direction. Although he’s likely to spend plenty of time in the G League as a rookie, there is a legit foundation of tools to develop. He should be a fun one for Clippers fans to monitor.
Jordan Miller and Kobe Brown find themselves back again on the Clippers Summer League roster. Miller and Brown both have shown some impressive flashes, especially in previous Summer League outings. But both have been unable to crack the rotation for the Clippers club consistently. Both players should be determined to send a message early.
There are two names here that deserve some serious focus heading into Las Vegas. The first is second-year guard Cam Christie. After an impressive season at Minnesota, Christie decided to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected 46th overall. Viewed as a developmental piece as a rookie, Christie spent the majority of his rookie year in the G League with the San Diego Clippers. He had some impressive outings and finished the year with averages of 16.4 points per game while shooting 30.2% from deep on 7.5 attempts per game. Given his size and shooting potential, if Christie can take a big jump with his efficiency, he should be a name to intrigue.
The other big name to watch out for is 2024 UDFA Trentyn Flowers. After an up-and-down year overseas, Flowers became a potential sleeper in the 2024 NBA Draft. Once a highly touted recruit, Flowers decomitted from Louisville to spend a year overseas. Fast forward to last year, and Flowers spent the year in the G League, where he averaged 17.7 points per game while shooting 38.5% from deep over the course of 42 games. Flowers has great size and scoring pop and won’t turn 21 until March. He could be a name that starts to buzz early.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Adou Thiero (36th)
NOTABLES: Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Darius Bazley, Eric Dixon, Cole Swider
KEEP AN EYE ON: Bronny James (Yes, admit it)
SUMMARY: It’s been four months, and I still can’t understand the Luka Doncic trade.
Anyways…let’s talk about the Summer League crew for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers added a heck of a piece in the 2025 NBA Draft in Arkansas wing Adou Thiero. He’s a madman on the court who knows how to make a living doing the “dirty work.” Thiero is explosive and a physical player on the court who thrives off of chaos and making hustle plays. He should have a chance to be a fun piece for the Lakers, even early as a rookie. The outside shot needs some work, but Thiero is a player who is going to play out of his skin whenever he gets the chance. Unfortunately for Lakers fans, they won’t be able to see Thiero at Summer League. It’s been reported that Thiero is still recovering from a knee injury, and the team is playing it safe.
Second-year wing Dalton Knecht is going to be the one to watch out for. Knecht had an up-and-down rookie year, and the botched trade to Charlotte obviously left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. The hope is that Knecht can get things rolling in Summer League to show why he was such an intriguing prospect as an offensive spark plug. If not, things could get merky for Knecht in terms of finding a spot in the rotation.
We all need to admit it: we are waiting to see what Bronny James can do in his second summer league. After a very aggressive media frenzy last year, Bronny will now be focusing on trying to take his game to the next level in his development. He spent some time in the G League last year, as expected, with the South Bay Lakers. In 18 games, Bronny averaged 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from the field and 33.6% from three. Respectable numbers, but now it’s time to see if Bronny can take another step forward into becoming a consistent player who is ready to take the next jump. He should get plenty of run at Summer League.
Undrafted free agent Eric Dixon is a sleeper to monitor. Dixon is an offensive-minded big man, but don’t let the size fool you; he can get RED HOT from beyond the arc. Veteran Darius Bazley finds his way onto the Summer League roster for the Lakers, and he will be eager to prove that he can make his way onto the big club’s roster as a valuable piece. Don’t overlook Cole Swider as well. He’s had a couple of stops throughout his NBA career, and Lakers fans should be familiar with the “idea” of what Swider could bring to the team.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Cedric Coward (11th), Javon Small (48th), Jahmai Mashack (59th)
NOTABLES: Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, GG Jackson II
KEEP AN EYE ON: GG Jackson II
TOO GOOD FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Jaylen Wells
SUMMARY: There is a lot of exciting stuff starting to happen for the Memphis Grizzlies and their roster when it comes to developing young talent. While the Grizzlies roster still has some big names on it, they’ve done a sneaky good job of adding some names with big-time value for the future moving forward.
In the 2025 NBA Draft, Memphis targeted “their guy” and moved up to grab Cedric Coward with the 11th overall pick. One of the best stories in the draft, Coward went from playing in D-III all the way to being a lottery pick. Coward suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at Washington State after just six games. But a strong pre-draft process saw him become a popular name in draft circles. The expectation is that Coward isn’t supposed to play at Summer League, as the Grizzlies are being smart with letting Coward return. His 3-and-D tools and physical profile should make him a name who could even make a legit role in the rotation, even as a rookie. There could be some adjustment time needed for Coward, but the upside is legit.
Memphis added a serious sleeper in the second round in West Virginia guard Javon Small. Despite being a bit undersized, Small has the mentality and toughness that should fit like a glove with a team like Memphis. Speaking of mentality, the Grizzlies added another tough backcourt piece in Jahmai Mashack as well. The offensive game needs to develop, but Mashack can get after it defensively.
The interesting name to watch out for is GG Jackson II. The offensive game has never been in question with GG, but it will be interesting to see how the rest of his game is developing. Jackson could be a player who gets a couple of games in Salt Lake City and some brief time in Las Vegas before the Grizzlies say that they’ve seen enough. The hope is that Jackson can take the next step and become a consistent offensive punch in the rotation.
Cam Spencer finds himself on the Grizzlies Summer League roster, and I’ll be interested to see how long he plays. Spencer had plenty of flashes as a rookie, and he’s a player who could look MUCH better than the stats might show. Spencer is going to be a piece for the Grizzlies for years to come, so there could be an emphasis on trying to develop an aspect of his game specifically.
Jaylen Wells finds his name on the roster as well and is officially one of the top “hey, is he going to be too good for Summer League?” guys. Wells is coming off a fantastic rookie season, and the expectation is that his Summer League outing could be limited.
MIAMI HEAT
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Kasparas Jakucionis (20th)
NOTABLES: Kel’el Ware, Keshad Johnson, Vladislav Goldin, Pelle Larsson
KEEP AN EYE ON: Keshad Johnson
TOO GOOD FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Kel’el Ware
SUMMARY: The Miami Heat continue to look like a team that is quietly starting to shift in another direction. They’ve made some moves this offseason, and there’s a young group of players that look to be some intriguing developmental pieces.
I thought Miami landed a heck of a piece in Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th pick. The former Illinois freshman is a crafty combo guard who knows how to play the game the right way. Miami will have a plan in place to develop Jakucionis, even if it might not result in immediate “sexy’ box score outings. He’s at his best when it comes to running the show, which will be interesting to see if Miami allows him to do so with extended reps throughout Summer League.
Second-year big man Kel’el Ware finds himself on Miami’s Summer League roster. Yes, Ware has also found himself on the “too good for summer league” list as well. But, it seems smart for Miami to at least give him some early run. Time will tell if Ware even gets to the court in Las Vegas, but he’s coming off a strong rookie campaign and looks to be a strong piece for Miami’s future.
A couple of returners deserve some spotlight, especially as pieces that could be in for an extended role this year. Miami selected Pelle Larsson with the 44th overall pick last year. Larsson is a crafty guard who looks like a player who could earn some more run with a strong summer league showing. I thought Miami landed a potential steal last year with undrafted free agent Keshad Johnson. Personally, I thought it was the perfect fit for both Keshad and the Heat. Johnson was a scrappy two-way forward for Arizona who knew how to play his role and make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. He spent the majority of last year in the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce and averaged 17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He should be a name that is ready to roll at Summer League and could carve out a role on this roster.
Michigan big man Vladislav Goldin is a sneaky undrafted free agent to watch out for. Goldin is a tough big who can shoot it a bit. He’s a legit piece for the Heat to look at as a potential developmental rotation asset.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Bogoljub Markovic (47th)
NOTABLES: Tyler Smith, Mark Sears, Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livingston
KEEP AN EYE ON: Tyler Smith
SUMMARY: Milwaukee was a team that was being watched closely around the NBA heading into the summer. They made some major moves, although they weren’t the ones any of us were predicting months ago. The most important thing is that Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in a Bucks uniform…for now.
However, let’s focus on the pieces that are trying to earn some minutes on this roster. Milwaukee’s Summer League roster features a lot of familiar names. Some intriguing with upside, and others most likely to be on the “you might need to impress rather quickly.”
Milwaukee didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but they added one of the most intriguing international prospects in the class. Serbian-born forward Bogoljub Markovic is a FUN talent. Still young in his development, there’s been buzz that Markovic could be stashed overseas for a year. While Milwaukee tries to figure that out down the road, the emphasis now is getting an extended look at Markovic in Las Vegas. Bogoljub has a great combination of size and skills. He’s a pick-and-pop weapon, but also has some fantastic vision and touch around the basket. I think the Bucks getting him where they got him in the second round had the chance to be a real steal. He’s a competitive player with charisma who just needs time for the frame to fill out.
Think this is a big opportunity for Bucks second-year forward Tyler Smith. After being viewed as a potential first-round pick last year, Smith fell into the laps of the Bucks, who selected him with the 33rd overall pick. Smith was viewed as a potential floor spacer with size who could be an asset in the frontcourt. Viewed as more of a developmental piece, Smith spent most of his time in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd last year. The Bucks could use an intriguing talent to groom in their rotation, so Smith will have a big opportunity to impress.
Mark Sears is an interesting wildcard to keep an eye on out there. Despite being a bit undersized, Sears was a big-time presence for Alabama the last two years and can light it up from outside. Andre Jackson Jr and Chris Livingston find themselves back for another year of Summer League. Bucks fans will obviously hope that their Summer League run is short.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Joan Beringer (17th), Rocco Zikarsky (45th)
NOTABLES: Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., Jaylen Clark, Leonard Miller, Tristen Newton, CJ Fulton
KEEP AN EYE ON: Rob Dillingham
SUMMARY: First of all, let me just say: Naz Reid.
Now, let’s get this party going. The Minnesota Timberwolves summer league roster is a FUN one. I loved what the Wolves did in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft in grabbing international big man Joan Beringer. He’s going to be a player who has plenty of growing pains, especially given how raw he is. However, Beringer’s development has been remarkable to watch, and you’ll never question his effort on the court. When basketball fans see Beringer get out in transition for the first time, you’ll quickly understand why there’s so much intrigue. Beringer has moments that show that he’s only been playing the game of basketball for 3 years. There are also moments in which you wonder if he’s been playing in the NBA for 10 years. The defensive side of the ball has special upside, and he’s going to have a VERY vanilla role early in his career as a rim-running lob threat. This should be a fun one to watch, and he landed in a perfect situation to develop with patience and build some confidence.
Minnesota took a flier in the second round on another raw big man with upside in Rocco Zikarsky. Once viewed as a potential lottery pick sleeper by some, Zikarsky never seemed to take the steps forward in his development that many projected so early. However, it’s completely understandable given how young he still is; Zikarsky just needs time and reps. His size and upside are enticing enough to take a flyer on him.
The Rob Dillingham summer league experience is about to be unleashed. Throw all of the rookie stuff out the door for this one. Basketball fans want to see Rob Dillingham unleashed in Las Vegas. After the Timberwolves traded up for Dillingham in last year’s draft, it was clear that Minnesota was looking at Rob as a potential backcourt weapon for years to come. After struggling to get consistent minutes as a rookie (expected with young guards), Dillingham will be foaming at the mouth to showcase he’s ready for the challenge in year two. A shifty microwave guard with the ball in his hands, Dillingham has some underrated playmaking to his game, and it will be fascinating to see how the rest of the tools are coming along. But yes, Rob, we want buckets.
Terrence Shannon Jr. had some strong flashes throughout his rookie year. The second-year wing could be a great asset for the Timberwolves in their rotation with another strong showing. TSJ gives the Wolves some physicality and defensive potential on the perimeter. I’m not too worried about the offensive game, as I think we know what Shannon is going to be at the NBA level. Personally, I’d like to see him be a bully on the defensive side of the end. Have we ever had anyone get shut down in Vegas for being too impressive on defense? That might need to be a thing.
Jaylen Clark continues to be a name that continues to get better and intrigue with this Timberwolves team more and more. Clark looks like a young wing that is starting to get the confidence cooking, and it’ll be exciting to see what he does in the upcoming season. A couple of familiar faces also find their way onto the Summer League roster. Leonard Miller is back! Everyone’s excited about that. Miller continues to be a name that is trying to get that uptick in minutes. Amari Bailey and Tristen Newton are names that will make you do the “hey, is that…” at the television.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Micah Peavy
NOTABLES: Yves Missi, Trey Alexander, Chase Hunter, Antonio Reeves, Hunter Dickinson
KEEP AN EYE ON: Derik Queen
SUMMARY: New Orleans continues to be a team that many are waiting to see the future direction of new management. The regular season for the Pelicans roster still features some awesome talent. A year after the team dealt with a serious injury bug, the Pelicans are looking to get back on the right track.
New Orleans invested the seventh overall pick in point guard Jeremiah Fears. There’s no denying that Fears has the tools and talent to be a dynamic floor general at the next level. Time and patience will be necessary when it comes to Fears. It’s not that he’s not talented; there’s no denying that. Fears is still extremely young, though, and the point guard position is one of the most difficult adjustments in sports. Fears reclassified last year to join Oklahoma early and did some freakish things for the Sooners that you don’t often see for a player in his situation.
New Orleans sent shockwaves on the night of the 2025 NBA Draft when they made an aggressive move up to get Derik Queen after a trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Queen is a big body in the paint who has some sensational offensive skills, especially when it comes to his footwork and playmaking. While not the greatest athlete, there’s potential for Queen to be a heck of a piece moving forward for the Pelicans. The talent is there, but unlocking the consistency on both sides of the ball will be the key to Queen reaching his potential.
Don’t overlook second round selection Micah Peavy as well. Peavy was having a solid year for Georgetown before star freshman big man Thomas Sorber went down with a season-ending injury. That required someone to step up, and Peavy did so in a big way. In his last 10 games of the season, Peavy averaged 23.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 50.0% from downtown.
Second-year big man Yves Missi finds himself on the Pelicans roster as well. Missi was a first round pick by the Pelicans last year and had an impressive rookie season. Now with a full offseason under his belt, Missi should be a name that could be a problem around the basket for defenses, especially with some confidence to back it up. It’ll be fascinating to see what New Orleans envisions long-term when it comes to Missi and Queen.
A couple of other notables deserve some spotlight. Antonio Reeves and Chase Hunter are some wildcards to keep a close eye on. Reeves can really shoot it from deep and will be looking to make some noise in Las Vegas. Trey Alexander previously signed a two-way deal with the Pelicans and has some intriguing size as a backcourt talent. He could be a sleeper to monitor in Vegas.
Yes, that’s right; Hunter Dickinson is also on the roster.
NEW YORK KNICKS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Mohamed Diawara (51st)
NOTABLES: Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar, Ariel Hukporti, James Nnaji
KEEP AN EYE ON: Pacome Dadiet
SUMMARY: The New York Knicks had themselves a heck of a run in the NBA Playoffs last year and will be eager to make another push towards an NBA Finals run. With a roster that already features plenty of pieces in place, New York will hope to get some quick development from some of their young talent.
There are some fascinating names to monitor as depth options on this Summer League roster. One of the top names to keep an eye on is former Marquette guard Tyler Kolek. The crafty lefty was selected with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and didn’t get a lot of run under former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. Kolek is a smart player who looks like a good bet to take a sizeable jump in year two. He should be eager to send a message that he’s ready to contend for some minutes in the rotation.
The name to keep an eye on here is second-year wing Pacome Dadiet. The Knicks invested in Dadiet when they used a first round pick on him in the 2024 NBA Draft. Still just 19 years old, Dadiet has some fascinating upside to be a real piece to groom for the future for this Knicks organization. While the Knicks have plenty of names that are positioned in the starting lineup, there’s no denying they could use some sparks in the rotation. Dadiet has the tools to be a fun talent with his best basketball ahead of him. It will be fascinating to see how his trajectory is coming along.
Ariel Hukporti finds himself on the Knicks Summer League Roster and should be a fun watch as a big man who could carve out a role as a rotation piece on the roster. Hukporti thrives at knowing what his role is, which is playing good defense and being a force around the basket.
Don’t overlook international big man James Nnaji as well. Nnaji was a fascinating talent ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft due to his freakish size, strength, motor and defensive upside. After being selected by the Charlotte Hornets, Nnaji ended up being a stash option until he was later acquired by the Knicks. Don’t be surprised if Nnaji pops off in Las Vegas. The talent is there, and he’s still young with bundles of upside.
The absolute wildcard to watch out for here is 2024 second round pick Kevin McCullar Jr. A heck of a collegiate player, McCullar was fantastic during his time with the Kansas Jayhawks. He fell in the draft due to medical concerns, but there’s no denying that McCullar has the two-way skills to be an impactful player. It always comes down to health with McCullar, as the injuries have piled up over the years. The hope is that he’s finally healthy and can hit the ground running in Las Vegas.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Thomas Sorber (15th), Brooks Barnhizer (44th)
NOTABLES: Nikola Topic, Viktor Lakhin, Ajay Mitchell, Payton Sandfort
KEEP AN EYE ON: Nikola Topic
TOO GOOD FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Ajay Mitchell
SUMMARY: First off, let’s do this right. Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the NBA Championship.
Okay, moving on. It seems like the last couple of years have featured the Thunder with a juggernaut of a Summer League roster. While this year’s roster doesn’t have as much “firepower,” there’s still some fantastic “eye-candy” to keep an eye on.
Oklahoma City landed a heck of a talent with the 15th overall pick in Thomas Sorber. The Georgetown freshman big man has some fantastic two-way potential and is a bully in the paint. Sorber’s season was cut short due to a foot injury that required surgery. He isn’t expected to play at Summer League (smart move), so the Thunder will be more than patient with his development.
Do not overlook second round selection Brooks Barnhizer. Despite going 44th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Barnhizer has the tools to be a “thunder-type” of player. He’s a competitive force on both sides of the ball and can fill up the box scores in a hurry. If the outside shot can be unlocked on a respectable level (hey, have you heard they have a great shooting coach?), then Barnhizer could absolutely be a guy who sticks, even with a Thunder roster that’s stacked.
One of the biggest names to watch out for here is Nikola Topic. The Thunder landed Topic with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Once considered a Top 5 prospect in his class, Topic suffered an ACL injury in the final months of his team’s season overseas, which played a part in him dropping in the draft. After “red-shirting” his first year, Topic should be ready to roll at Summer League. He’s a crafty playmaker with great size and creativity on the court. Topic will take some time to work the rust off, but it shouldn’t take long for the “flashes” to catch your attention. He will take some time to adjust to the speed and is sure to be tested by smaller guards, but Topic has the goods to be a heck of a rotation piece for this year.
Former Clemson big man Viktor Lakhin was a bit of a surprise to see go undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was announced in May that Lakhin had suffered a torn tendon in his left foot that would sideline him for 3 months. Lakhin had some strong showings throughout the predraft process and should be a name to keep a close eye on if he plays at Summer League, or throughout the upcoming year.
The same story goes for former Iowa Hawkeyes forward Payton Sandfort. Recovering from an injury, Sandfort is another name to monitor closely down the road for this Thunder team. Odds are he will spend some early time in the G League, but Sandfort has some intriguing playmaking and floor spacing ability with great size.
We have a serious “Too Good For Summer League” candidate to watch out for. After a sensational showing last year in Summer League, as well as some strong flashes throughout the year, second-year guard Ajay Mitchell finds his way onto the roster. Time will tell if Mitchell will even suit up in Las Vegas, as some strong showings at the Salt Lake City Summer League could see him get “shut down” to prevent injury. Mitchell is a crafty guard with good size and feel that looks like a SERIOUS get for this Thunder team moving forward.
ORLANDO MAGIC
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Jase Richardson (25th), Noah Penda (32nd)
NOTABLES: Tristan Da Silva, Nate Santos, Alondes Williams, Wendell Moore Jr
KEEP AN EYE ON: Tristan Da Silva
SUMMARY: PLAY THE SONG! Orlandoooooo…
The Magic have had themselves an interesting offseason, including some new uniforms (very nice) and a new logo (warming up to it). Orlando has put together a nice roster with plenty of young pieces that look ready to hopefully take the next step towards contending in the Eastern Conference. They also made a big splash this offseason with the acquisition of Desmond Bane, who should fit like a glove.
Despite the move for Bane, the Magic still had some interesting draft capital in the 2025 NBA Draft class. Orlando got a heck of a piece in the first round with Jase Richardson at the 25th overall pick. Although a bit undersized for a prototypical guard, Richardson is smart and knows how to play the game the right way. He’s going to be some great depth in the backcourt due to his floor spacing upside and basketball IQ.
Orlando also made an aggressive move to go up in the second round and select international forward Noah Penda with the 32nd overall pick. Penda has been buzzing over the years with his play overseas and should be an intriguing rotation piece for Orlando. He’s a potential 3-and-D forward with some good basketball IQ on the defensive side of the ball.
The name to keep an eye on for Orlando is second-year forward Tristan Da Silva. He was impressive during his rookie summer league showing and had plenty of flashes throughout his rookie season. Da Silva is a classic type of player who does some serious wonders with a full NBA offseason after a rookie year. It wouldn’t surprise me if his Las Vegas showing is short…as he should be one that’s eager to earn a legit spot in the rotation for the Magic this year.
Nate Santos, Alondes Williams, and Wendell Moore Jr. are all worth a watch as some potential sleepers.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: VJ Edgecombe (3rd), Johni Broome
NOTABLES: Hunter Sallis, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Adem Bona, Justin Edwards
KEEP AN EYE ON: VJ Edgecombe
SUMMARY: I have to give my tip of the hat to the Philadelphia 76ers in the last couple of years. They really know how to put together a Summer League roster with a lot of fun names.
Philadelphia went swinging with the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, adding dynamic guard VJ Edgecombe. If you’re looking for a dawg who can really be a highlight machine, Edgecombe is going to be your guy. There’s legit weaponry on both sides of the ball, and Edgecombe has the makings of a player who will play a LONG time at this level. Despite his freakish athleticism, Edegcombe has some work to do when it comes to his finishing ability. The outside shot is trending in the right direction as well, but will always be something to monitor. If those two areas can come together with time…VJ is going to be a problem.
I thought the 76ers landed a potential really good value in the second round with Auburn big man Johni Broome. If you’re looking for a rotation big that can play his role at a high level, Broome can be that guy. He’s going to be a nice depth piece early on when it comes to his activity around the basket and his shot-blocking upside.
Second-year big man Adem Bona finds his way on the summer league roster again. This is one I’m especially excited to see. Bona is a hulk on the basketball court, and I thought he could really start to come into his own in year two or three of his basketball career. He’s a tremendous defensive asset who plays the game with relentless passion. If Bona can continue to take steps forward, I think he’s a great piece for the 76ers’ future.
Justin Edwards had himself a solid rookie campaign despite shockingly going undrafted last year. Edwards has always had the talent and tools to be an effective player on the perimeter. Time will tell if he can continue to add to his game and be a consistent piece for the 76ers.
Jalen Hood-Schifino and Hunter Sallis both will be sleepers to keep an eye on. Both have talent, but both need to showcase some consistency and versatility on both sides of the ball.
PHOENIX SUNS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Khaman Maluach (10th), Rasheer Fleming (31st), Koby Brea
NOTABLES: Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Khaliff Battle
KEEP AN EYE ON: Ryan Dunn
SUMMARY: We’ve got ourselves a bit of a FUN roster starting to take place for Phoenix Suns fans. Look, Suns fans, I know that the “swing” for the title didn’t work out. I know that you’re anxiously awaiting the result of the Bradley Beal situation. However, you’re really starting to get some young talent to get excited about.
Duke freshman big man Khaman Maluach was a popular name throughout the entire 2025 NBA Draft cycle. Many thought that Maluach could have been a potential Top 5 pick this year. That just goes to show how deep this class was, as it seemed evident that a couple of names would slip through the cracks on the night of the draft. Maluach ended up falling to 10, and I thought that Phoenix landing Maluach and trading for Mark Williams was fantastic decision-making by the Suns. Maluach has a freakish combination of size and upside. He’s still very raw in his development, but the improvement in his game over the recent years is remarkable. If Phoenix can keep his role simple early on, they could be surprised by his impact. Maluach is great as a P&R big and can finish lobs with the best of them. There are a lot of skills waiting to be untapped, but they will require patience to find them.
I thought Phoenix did an AWESOME job of navigating the board ahead of Day Two of the NBA Draft to land Rasheer Fleming at 31. Fleming was a name that many thought could have been a Top 20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. But due to an injury in the pre-draft process, Fleming had to rely on only his interviews for a while. A pick-and-pop forward with great range and a freakish combination of size and length, Fleming has the potential to be a role player who could play at the NBA level for a long time. He doesn’t have a lot of versatility, but Fleming knows his role and how to make an impact.
Koby Brea was another great get for the Suns in the second round. He’s a specialist who can really shoot the cover off the ball and makes winning plays. With this Suns roster needing depth, Brea could be a name that sticks.
Personally, I’m extremely excited to see what second-year wing Ryan Dunn can do at Summer League. Dunn had a strong start to the season and had all of us quoting Happy Gilmore when it came to Dunn suddenly being able to shoot threes: “Happy learned out to putt, uh oh.” As expected, that impressive start petered out, but it was still a promising start for the rookie. Now with a full offseason under his belt, Dunn could be a fantastic asset for the Suns’ future.
Oso Ighodaro also had plenty of flashes throughout his rookie campaign, and he’s a name I’m not ruling out as a player who could earn legit minutes for the Suns in his second year. Keep an eye on sleeper Khalif Battle as well, who can really get hot from the floor.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Yang Hansen (16th)
NOTABLES: Sean Pedulla, James Bouknight, Caleb Love, Rayan Rupert, Sidy Cissoko
KEEP AN EYE ON: Yang Hansen
SUMMARY: Dread it. Run from it. The Yang Dynasty still arrives. Portland looked to be a team preparing for a big jump in the Western Conference. The team has done a fantastic job of adding talent throughout the draft and overall impressed last year with their development as a tough-minded defensive team on the rise.
Portland sent shockwaves throughout the 2025 NBA Draft when they traded back from the 11th pick and selected international big man Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick. Many viewed Yang as a potential second-round pick, but he was a name that was BUZZING heading into the final week of the draft. If you watch Yang offensively, you’re going to understand why the Blazers felt good about the investment. He’s a freakishly talented big man with awesome size, footwork, and playmaking ability. He should be one of the main attractions at Summer League, as crowds will be buzzing every time he touches the ball.
The rest of Portland’s roster features plenty of “familiar” faces. Rayan Rupert has continued to trend in the right direction for the Blazers each year. The lengthy wing has the tools and is hoping to take another step in his development to earn more minutes in the rotation. James Bouknight at Summer League? You bet. The former lottery selection has spent time with their G League team and will be hopeful of impressing enough to earn a spot on the big club roster.
Former colleigate stand out Caleb Love also finds his way onto the roster. Love is a microwave scorer who can get red hot from deep. He will need to showcase improved playmaking and efficiency moving forward. Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla is a scrappy piece that cannot be overlooked and will be a fun wildcard on this roster.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud
NOTABLES: Devin Carter, Dylan Cardwell, Isaiah Crawford, Isaac Jones
KEEP AN EYE ON: Devin Carter
SUMMARY: There’s some fun talent starting to get added to this Sacramento Kings organization. Despite not having a first round pick in this year’s draft, Sacramento worked the phones to make a move into the first round.
The Kings added Colorado State senior wing Nique Clifford with the 24th overall pick. Despite being older, Clifford has the versatility and two-way potential to be an early contributor for the Kings even as a rookie. He’s a tough-minded wing who isn’t afraid to attack the glass and has some fantastic awareness on both sides of the ball. He could be a REAL find for the Kings.
I thought the Kings added a heck of a value in the second round with the selection of Maxime Raynaud as well. The former Stanford product is a seven-footer with pick-and-pop potential and some eye-opening fluidity off the bounce. He could be a great find for the organization with time.
One of the names I’m most excited to see for Summer League is second-year guard Devin Carter. It’s always tough for rookies when they miss some time due to an injury. I always point out the fact that rookies missing that first summer league is so underrated, because it’s just a great opportunity to get the “rust” off after going through the media circus ahead of the draft. Carter had to delay getting ready for his rookie season as he recovered from a pre-draft injury. Now with a full offseason under his belt, he should be foaming at the mouth to send a message.
Dylan Cardwell, Isaac Jones, and Isaiah Crawford are all names that cannot be overlooked. All of them have the potential to earn a role on this Kings roster moving forward as some good young rotation pieces. They won’t be asked to put up eye-opening levels of production. However, they could all play their role to a high level.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Dylan Harper (2nd), Carter Bryant (14th)
NOTABLES: Harrison Ingram, Jacksen Moni, Cam Carter
KEEP AN EYE ON: Dylan Harper
SUMMARY: The San Antonio Spurs struck gold when they landed the second overall pick on the night of the 2025 NBA Draft lottery. Even with a roster that features plenty of intriguing names in the backcourt, the choice was clear for San Antonio.
It’s not going to take long for Spurs fans to get excited about Dylan Harper. The former Rutgers floor general is a beast on the court with great size and explosiveness off the bounce. Harper was expected to sit out the California Classic while dealing with a groin injury. Recent reports have suggested that he’s supposed to suit up in Las Vegas. When he does hit the floor, Harper will be a name that could put on an absolute show.
San Antonio landed a fantastic long-term talent in Carter Bryant with the 14th pick. Despite a lack of elite production at Arizona last year, Bryant was one of the top defensive prospects in this class. The offensive game continues to blossom, and Bryant’s intangibles cannot be understated. He will be one who continues to push the limit to his ceiling as a dynamic two-way forward with serious bounce and toughness.
Some other notables to keep an eye on include second-year forward Harrison Ingram. If the outside shot can come around, Ingram has the physicality to be a nice rotation piece. Jacksen Moni is a name that could be a fun developmental piece. He’s a lengthy forward who had some freakish production at South Dakota State. Don’t rule out LSU’s Cam Carter as well, as a potential dark horse.
TORONTO RAPTORS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Collin Murray-Boyles (9th), Alijah Martin
NOTABLES: Ulrich Chomche, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter
KEEP AN EYE ON: Ja’Kobe Walter
SUMMARY: There are a lot of players on this Toronto Raptors roster who will be battling to try to earn a spot in the rotation moving forward. Toronto continues to have a roster that looks like they are hoping to make a jump in the Eastern Conference. For now, time will tell if that idea can come to fruition as soon as next year.
Toronto added one of the most fascinating prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft in South Carolina sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles. If you’re looking for a bully around the basket who can be a serious weapon defensively, CMB is going to be your guy. The outside shot is a work in progress, but Murray-Boyles is an analytics darling who can do some real damage around the basket. There’s some vastly underrated playmaking ability with his game, and it’ll be fascinating to see what he can do with NBA talent around him.
Toronto landed an absolute dawg in the second round in guard Alijah Martin. He’s tough as nails and has freakish length and athleticism to go with it. Fresh off a national championship, Martin will be eager to prove he can make an impact early as a rotation piece.
You could almost pull the Spiderman meme when it comes to returning guard Jamal Shead, who finds himself back at Summer League. Shead also hangs his hat on his toughness and will need the offensive game to come around more consistently. Keep an eye on Jonathan Mogbo as well, who had some moments during his rookie campaign. A versatile forward with intriguing playmaking ability, it will be interesting to see if Mogbo has another level of his game to be on full display.
The name to keep an eye on for the Raptors is second-year wing Ja’Kobe Walter. The talent was evident, even with Walter as a prospect at Baylor. But the consistency needs to come around for Walter to really start to blossom. If the scoring punch can come around on a consistent level, Walter could take a real step forward as a piece for Toronto.
UTAH JAZZ
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr., John Tonje
NOTABLES: Isaiah Collier, Kyle Filipowski, Brice Sensabaugh, Cody Williams
KEEP AN EYE ON: Kyle Filipowski
TOO GOOD FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Brice Sensabaugh
SUMMARY: Boy, do we have another fascinating roster to watch out for at Summer League. It seems as if the majority of the Jazz’s regular season roster is playing at Summer League. Jokes aside, that’s what happens when you have a plethora of draft capital over the years.
The Jazz swung for the fences when they selected Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick. Regardless of whatever media frenzy was going on before the pre-draft process, getting Bailey at #5 is a TREMENDOUS get for the Jazz. He’s got as much upside as any player in the 2025 NBA Draft class. But Bailey is going to require patience, due to how young he still is in his development. The highs are jaw-dropping, and Bailey will showcase plenty of instances in which you can see a path to stardom. The lows will remind you that patience will be required. Summer League is perfect for players like Bailey. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. But seeing Bailey start to put together the confidence on a day-to-day basis, as well as improvements, will be huge for the future.
The Utah Jazz made an aggressive move to go up and land Walter Clayton Jr., fresh off a national championship, in the first round. One of the darlings of college basketball last year, WCJ has the firepower to be a lethal threat from outside. He will be a name to monitor moving forward, especially if the Jazz shut down some of their “veterans” and open up extended minutes for Clayton.
John Tonje is another sleeper to keep an eye on. He’s coming off a sensational year at Wisconsin, where he showed some real stuff as a scoring threat. He will most likely spend some time in the G League, as unlocking his versatility could be the key to him carving out a role.
Now, let’s get into the returners…
Despite going much later in the first round than many expected last year, Isaiah Collier had some strong flashes throughout his rookie year for the Jazz. Utah is looking for a player who can take over the role as the table setter at the point guard position. The hope is that Collier can take another step forward towards being that type of presence for the team.
Big man Kyle Filipowski was someone who shockingly went in the second round last year. Filipowski had some great flashes throughout his rookie campaign. He’s a talented offensive big man with some versatility and floor spacing upside. If Filipowski has a couple of strong outings, including his time at the Salt Lake City Summer League, his tenure in Las Vegas could be limited.
Brice Sensabaugh finds himself on the Jazz Summer League roster and could be in the running for the “Too Good For Summer League” AKA “shut it down” conversation. It’s not a surprise to see Sensabaugh on the roster, as he’s a player who could use some seasoning. Sensabaugh has started to slowly put it together, and he looks like a name who could finally take that next step forward in Year Three. Sensabaugh can light it up from the perimeter with relative ease. If the rest of the game can start to come together, he’s going to be a great piece for the franchise.
Plenty will want to keep an eye on the development of second-year wing Cody Williams. After being selected 10th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Williams struggled during his rookie season. The Jazz front office has had a history of being patient with the development of their young players, so the panic meter shouldn’t be high on Williams. Putting together some solid showings at Summer League would go a long way towards adding confidence in terms of his trajectory.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
2025 NBA DRAFT PICKS: Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Jamir Watkins
NOTABLES: Alex Sarr, Carlton “Bub” Carrington, Kyshawn George, AJ Johnson, Dillon Jones
KEEP AN EYE ON: Alex Sarr
TOO GOOD FOR SUMMER LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Bub Carrington
SUMMARY: THESE AIN’T THE SAME WASHINGTON WIZARDS! What a roster the Wizards have thrown out ahead of this year’s NBA Summer League. The Wizards continue to progress along in their rebuild. The front office has done a fantastic job of adding young pieces with upside, as well as adding draft capital over the years.
Washington did something that not a lot of teams have the flexibility of doing. They added a plethora of young talent last year, and they let them get as much playing time as possible. By doing that, the Wizards are hoping that those extra reps will only help speed up the developmental curve for a number of their young pieces.
The Wizards added a dangerous sharpshooter in the 2025 NBA Draft when they selected Tre Johnson with the sixth overall pick. Johnson is a bucket-getting machine that has much more versatility than many would expect. The situation for Johnson last year at Texas wasn’t ideal. But there were plenty of instances on tape in which you saw more versatility just waiting to be unlocked. He should be one of the top rookies to monitor closely at Las Vegas.
I thought the Wizards added another intriguing forward later in the first round in Will Riley. The former Illinois freshman is offensively gifted with great size and a smooth stroke from outside. Riley is going to require some patience, as his frame is still extremely young and he’s going to need to beef up a little. However, there are times offensively where you shake your head in disbelief at how smooth he can be as a bucket getter.
Alex Sarr finds his way onto the Wizards Summer League roster. The 2024 NBA Draft’s second overall pick has plenty of impressive flashes throughout his rookie campaign and looks like a player poised for a big jump in his second year. Sarr has plenty of fans within the Wizards organization who are excited about his future. He should be one of the top players to watch in Las Vegas.
We have a SERIOUS “Too Good for Summer League” candidate here. Carlton “Bub” Carrington finds his way onto the roster as well. Carrington had some awesome moments throughout his rookie campaign and looks to be a legit piece to groom for the Wizards moving forward. Carrington and rookie Tre Johnson should present some potential fireworks for fans in Las Vegas.
Don’t rule out second-year guard AJ Johnson as well. After some impressive flashes last year at Summer League, the Wizards acquired Johnson at the NBA trade deadline in a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks. Johnson was able to get some extended run with the Wizards to end the year, and fans started to see how fascinating the potential is. Still extremely young, Johnson is a legit talent to be patient with and groom for years to come.
There’s a bundle of names that deserve your attention as well. Second-year wing Kyshawn George cannot be overlooked as someone who could be ready to make some noise and earn more minutes in his second season. Newly acquired forward Dillon Jones is extremely skilled and was a victim of a CROWDED roster in Oklahoma City. Jones could surprise some as a player who could carve out a role with this Wizards team.
Thanks for the writeup! Two notes on the Wizards section. First, Jamir Watkins should be included in the "2025 NBA Draft Picks" section, we picked him in the 2nd round this year. Second, the Wizards (allegedly) have a "requirement" that all drafted players play in the summer league both their first and second years of their tenure with the team, which is why Sarr, Bub, Kyshawn, and AJ are all on the team, even though the former three probably don't need to be. Keep up the good work!