Fear and Loathing in the Summer League
Playing Texas Hold 'Em ahead of the season, NBA organizations are shown the flop after placing their bets in the draft.
In the arid landscape where secrets go to the grave, and financial statuses are forever altered lies the genesis of the NBA season. With the draft and free agency in the rearview mirror, Sin City serves as the sports' Plymouth Rock for the upcoming season. While gambling is a frowned upon offense by the league, the Las Vegas Summer League presents rookies, sophomores, and journeymen the chance to bet on themselves and their future.
At its core, the Summer League is the perfect buffer between the playoffs and preseason. For lottery teams, it's a beacon of hope, a chance to catch a glimpse of the potential that their latest prospects hold. For the contenders, it's the perfect time to unearth hidden gems, to find that diamond-in-the-rough talent that could change the game. Come for the top picks, stay for the familiar faces, and enjoy the starts (and possible ends) of the league's future, filled with potential and promise.
The French Revolution
As Dickens said, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times." For both the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, the dream of the bourgeois may be on the horizon. After months of uncertainty regarding the number one overall pick, the Hawks pivoted to the 6'9, 3&D French forward Zaccharie Risacher. Following in the footsteps of last year's top choice, Victor Wembanyama, Atlanta's selection was met with general dismay.
Despite not being the most glamorous pick in recent years, Risacher's style is a highly sought-after model that can elevate the performance of fringe contenders. In his limited appearances, Risacher has demonstrated his ability to stretch the floor, his deft touch, and his improved athleticism. With high expectations in Atlanta, Risacher offers star guard Trae Young another wing threat on both ends of the court, giving the Hawks more time to determine if Young is the solution to their nearly seven-decade-long championship drought.
With Atlanta forced to make the difficult choice, the Wizards could finally breathe a sigh of relief. They didn't have to move far from Risacher, as forward/center Alex Sarr was about as easy a pick as possible. During his time with the Perth Wildcats, the 6'10 Sarr looked to be the league's next defensive anchor. His defensive prowess as a rim protector and switchable big will pay dividends to a bottom-5 Washington defense on day one. And in Vegas, he's lived up to the hype on that end, thanks to his quick feet and rangy frame.
Offensively, however, there's still much to be desired. After an 11-point/4 assist debut that showed above-average vision and perimeter skills, Sarr would drop an abysmal 0 points on 0-15 field goals his next game. Some are quick to push the panic button. In reality, it's not too heavy a concern. For point guards and centers, the jump from the collegiate/amateur level is vast. An already raw prospect, Sarr is far from the player he'll be entering his prime. At this point, he looks to replicate a modern swingman playing in the midrange despite having the size and athleticism to be a force near the rim. Once the realization occurs, the Wizards may have found their franchise big man.
There Will Be Blue Bloods
Death, taxes, and Kentucky Wildcats making the jump. If there's ever been a surefire bet, it's drafting a blue blood prospect. With an already established young core, the Houston Rockets played the hand they were dealt and struck big, drafting guard Reed Sheppard. After shooting 52(!)% from range last season, the 6'3 guard already looks the part of a star. Whether from beyond the arc, as a distributor, or as a pest on the defensive end, Sheppard will be an impactful pro for the foreseeable future.
Sheppard spent his time at Kentucky coming off the bench alongside Minnesota Timberwolves draftee Rob Dillingham. Dillingham's crafty, microwave-like offensive game made him a collegiate star quicker than it takes for him to heat up. From a self-creation perspective, very few come close to Dillingham's guile game. Give him too much space, and it's an easy pull-up jumper. Play too close; next thing you know, he's at the rim for an easy two. But with his limited frame and lack of defensive talent, Dillingham looks like the dream mismatch for opponents.
You don't need to play the lottery to get a winning ticket, as the Philadelphia 76ers nabbed Duke guard Jared McCain with the 16th pick. Much like Sheppard, McCain lit the nylon on fire in his one-and-done season at a 41% clip from three. Featuring a sturdy frame and cerebral feel for the game, McCain looks primed to show fans he's more than just a TikTok star on both ends. Despite a slower burst and lower vertical, his astute finishing and hard-nosed, point-of-attack defensive approach will make him a fan favorite for the Philly Faithful.
Not Like Father, Like Son
Perhaps the story in Summer League this year has been the tumultuous play of Bronny James. Coming off a cardiac arrest and a subpar one-and-done season at USC, many have forgotten how highly touted James was prior to his medical incident. Sadly, his play in Vegas has yet to match his high school pedigree. To think James would live up to his father's legacy is beyond absurd. But with a solid frame, adequate athleticism, and impeccable feel for the game, there's potential for a highly impactful role player.
To say he's struggled in Summer League is an understatement. Poor efficiency and overall shot selection have plagued his counting stats, but despite the misses, he still looks the part, thanks to his active hands on the opposite side of the ball. Given some time to develop in the G-League, James could eventually carve out a role as a defensive-minded guard who can handle simple offensive responsibilities. While he won't take the throne upon his father's retirement, James has the chance to be a prized piece amongst the royalty of the purple and gold.
The Key to Ignition
While Bronny finds himself on a path toward the G-League, Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis look to make the jump from the program's Ignite team. After rumors of a potential drop, the above-the-rim Teddy Pendergrass lover in Holland heard his name called by the Detroit Pistons. To put it simply, Detroit is in a state of disarray. But with new leadership at the helm, Holland looks to bring elite two-way play to the Motor City. Despite his high-flying nature, question marks still loom regarding his jump shot. After shooting a below-average 24% from three during his time with the Ignite, it's hard to determine how Holland will fit in year one on a Pistons team that ranked bottom-5 in three-point percentage — especially next to non-shooting threats like Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.
Shifting from the Motor City to the Windy City, Buzelis looks to be the centerpiece for a new era of the Chicago Bulls. Once considered the best prospect in his class, an up-and-down season with the Ignite saw him fall out of the top 10. Despite this dip, Buzelis remains an enticing high-ceiling player with jack-of-all-trades type talent. A blossoming shot creator, the 6'10 forward seamlessly blends patient perimeter play with emphatic rim runs. An already high-IQ help defender, Buzelis reads offensives keenly to alter shots near the rim. With an improving skillset, his most significant concern remains his frame. Buzelis may be thriving in Vegas to start, but come the regular season, established wings won't be afraid to get physical on both ends.
From Champions to the Lottery
Going from the likes of a Dan Hurley lead system to organizations still in rebuild mode isn't for the faint of heart. Thankfully for UConn guard Stephon Castle, it doesn't look like he'll be in the lottery for long. With the San Antonio Spurs winning the jackpot of all jackpots with the Wembanyama sweepstakes, their goal now is simple: build around the French phenom. Drafting Castle with the fourth pick brings a robust, oversized guard that can play one through three. His 6'6 frame allows him to get to the rim in a multitude of ways, all while being aware enough to make the right read. Learning from Chris Paul this season will only further his playmaking readiness once the reins are handed over to him. Like Holland, questions have risen regarding the jump shot, but so far in Summer League, Castle looks more than comfortable creating for himself and others.
As the backbone for a two-time champion, Donovan Clingan's presence as a rim protector made him a standout amongst a deep class for centers. The 7'2 behemoth looks the part of a deterrent, not just relying on his sheer size to alter shots. His timing to avoid fouls is a skill rookie bigs struggle with developing. It makes sense why the Portland Trail Blazers snatched him with the seventh pick. While the spotlight shines on his defense, he's shown the makings of being an impactful offensive prospect. Primarily a post player, Clingan's size hides a center who's reading the floor at all times. Don't expect another Nikola Jokic out West, but anticipate connective playmaking from the post off of double teams and cuts. With Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe looking to lead the charge offensively, expect Clingan to do the dirty work on screens and provide them open looks in this new era of Blazers basketball.