The Summer League is well underway. Only a couple of weeks after the NBA Finals concluded, basketball is back. It’s a chance for the young players in the league to showcase their skills, and for fringe players to prove they belong. Thursday marks the beginning of the Vegas portion of the Summer League. One of Thursday’s tilts is between the Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings.
DraftKings Sportsbook is listing the Orlando Magic as 1.5-point favorites and -125 on the moneyline. The Sacramento Kings are listed at +105 odds on the moneyline, with the game total set at 175.5. Let’s get into a breakdown of the two Summer League squads, players to watch, and a pick for the contest.
Magic Roster Breakdown
Orlando made their big swing this offseason, picking up Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. It leaves them short on picks in the future and in need of wing defense in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s absence. Orlando addressed that need by taking Jase Richardson out of Michigan State in the first round. Though on the smaller side, he projects as a Jalen Suggs type of guard, one who can knock down open shots and make up for offensive limitations with great perimeter defense.
The Magic picked up another defender in the second round, trading up to get French wing Noah Penda. While less seasoned than Jase, his size and athleticism will play in Summer League out of the gate before he gets a lot of time with the G-League squad. Tristan Da Silva, the 18th pick in 2024, is back once again after a solid rookie campaign. The trio of Richardson, Penda, and TDS gives them a lot of defense and athleticism as a baseline.
Orlando also brought in some strong NCAA guards in Jalen Crutcher, Alondes Williams, and Johnell Davis. Many will remember Davis as a part of the 2023 Florida Atlantic team that made it to the Final Four. Wendell Moore Jr. is joining the squad as well, looking to prove himself after failing to latch on in his first three years in the NBA. The former Duke standout gives the Magic yet another athletic perimeter player to throw out there.
Kings Roster Breakdown
Sacramento brings a fair bit of 2025 Draft juice to the Summer League as well. After losing their first-round pick due to the Kevin Huerter trade, the Kings traded back into the first round to draft Nique Clifford out of Colorado State. One of my favorite prospects in the draft, Nique brings an NBA-ready body and athletic profile, complemented by a prolific scoring, passing, and defensive resume. He is the kind of player who will dominate in Vegas due to his combination of experience and physical tools.
And they weren’t done there. GM Scott Perry targeted another athletic college vet in the second round, getting Maxime Raynaud out of Stanford. Raynaud continued to grow throughout his career, becoming a prolific driver and shooter for a center in addition to strong above-the-rim finishing and rebounding skills. It’s possible that the Kings nabbed two instant rotation-level players in the draft, both with considerable upside.
Devin Carter, the 13th pick in 2024, is back as well. After a mostly lost rookie year due to shoulder problems and a re-worked jump shot, he’s looking to start all over. Hearing his name thrown around in trade rumors with the Golden State Warriors hasn’t helped matters. A huge guard who can drive and defend, a healthy and motivated Carter would be a difference-maker for Sacramento.
They have some solid undrafted free agents as well. Dylan Cardwell joins the Summer League squad from Auburn after a decorated career. Zay Crawford, a 2024 signee, was one of the best defenders in the country during his time at Louisiana Tech. And Isaiah Stevens, Nique Clifford’s former Colorado State teammate, is a burly scoring guard who complements Devin Carter well.
Now that we’re familiar with the teams, let’s move on to the pick.
Magic vs. Kings Pick
Sacramento Kings Moneyline (+105)
I love the players both of these teams have assembled. The top-end talent is comparable: Richardson, Penda, and TDS are more or less cancelled out by Clifford, Raynaud, and Carter. The difference lies in the depth.
Orlando doesn’t have other players who could potentially earn real NBA minutes in the future. Sacramento has a few. I especially love Zay Crawford, a versatile defensive forward who performed well in the G-League last season. Having a lot of size down the middle goes a long way in Summer League, and Sacramento has a lot of perimeter creation to boot. I think they’ll win this one handily and should be contenders in Vegas.
