NBA Summer League 2024 in Las Vegas begins Friday, July 12 with all 30 teams descending on Sin City with a host of rookies and second-year players attempting to make their mark. Most of these players won’t make the final rosters but Summer League is important for the top guys to prove their lofty standing. It’s also good for the development of those who are likely to step into bigger roles this season and guys on the fringes of the league.
There will be some “veteran” players like Hornets wing Brandon Miller and Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski who shined last year as rookies on the floor. They’ll be expected to dominate the competition and are unlikely to play the full showcase, so the only real story will be if they struggle mightily.
Here’s a look at some of the key players to watch at this year’s event in Las Vegas.
Zaccharie Risacher – Atlanta Hawks
The No. 1 pick is always going to get attention in Summer League but Risacher is a special case in this draft. There was no consensus top pick, and the Hawks took a risk by adding a forward who has been hot and cold from behind the arc. Risacher has a lot of upside provided his shot does come around, and the Hawks have changed their timeline a bit by dealing Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans. Risacher’s play in Summer League, fair or not, is going to be the first indication of whether he’s worthy of his status as the top selection. It’ll also provide some insight into how he can fit with Trae Young in this offense.
Matas Buzelis – Chicago Bulls
Buzelis was being tossed around as a potential option at No. 1 early in the draft process, which tells you how muddy the waters were for the top selection this year. The Bulls were able to grab him at No. 11 after Ron Holland and Zach Edey went surprisingly higher than expected. Buzelis is from the Chicago area, so he’s got an excellent opportunity to make an immediate mark in his hometown. His G League numbers were solid, and the comparisons to Franz Wagner are easy to make. If Buzelis can dominate in Summer League, he’ll start to be viewed as a potential cornerstone of what appears to be a rebuild for the Bulls.
Julian Strawther – Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, and saw Bruce Brown exit the season before. Denver is in the midst of a championship window and will need younger players to step up into bigger roles. Christian Braun is the natural option to take on more responsibility but Strawther is another player who should fit well in this system. Any player is going to be able to find decent scoring opportunities around Nikola Jokic, but Strawther’s work on the other end of the floor is what will get him playing time. He’ll have to showcase his defensive skills at a high level this summer.
Reed Sheppard – Houston Rockets
The Rockets went to the Summer League championship a year ago behind showcase MVP Cam Whitmore. He’s back for this year’s event, although he might not play the whole way if he shows out. Sheppard, the Kentucky point guard who had an all-time clunker in the tournament, is expected to eventually take over as the team’s offensive leader. He’s going to have to regain his confidence and show he can dominate against teams similar to the Oakland squad he couldn’t figure out. Houston drafted Sheppard with the No. 3 pick and this is a great chance for him to show he’s ahead of schedule when it comes to leading a team.
Bronny James – Los Angeles Lakers
Like it or not, there will be plenty of eyes on Bronny after the Lakers handed him a four-year guaranteed contract. The influence of LeBron James is clear throughout this process, though the Lakers have attempted to do their best to push back on the narrative. Ultimately, play on the basketball court is going to define his career. He hasn’t had the best start in pre-Vegas Summer League competitions but he’s playing his role as a bit guy at the moment. Bronny is probably going to get some extra attention from defenders due to his name, and he will have to earn his keep on the court even if the Lakers have given him a nice paycheck. Vegas Summer League is going to be a good test for him.
Donovan Clingan – Portland Trail Blazers
Similar to Buzelis, Clingan fell a bit in the draft after being projected to go in the top three. The UConn big man was dominant during the Huskies’ run a second championship and will likely carry a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He’s got size in his favor and should be able to get plenty of touches in this particular event. There’s little question about his defensive ability but how much work he can do on the offensive end is ultimately what will determine his ceiling in the NBA. If Clingan can show off some post skills in addition to his rim running, he’ll be one of the standouts of the showcase.
Zach Edey – Memphis Grizzlies
Edey had a solid start to his Summer League career with 14 points and 15 rebounds, but being taken in the top 10 is a huge gamble for the Grizzlies. Edey’s limitations were still on display in Salt Lake City, and putting up empty numbers due to his physical advantage is not going to justify that selection. Edey is going to have to develop some sort of jump shot with time, and he’s also going to need to hold his ground more defensively to see decent playing time in the pros.
