The NBA summer league in Las Vegas has come to an end, and newly drafted prospects and young veterans have completed their efforts to make a lasting impression.
Rookies Stephon Castle (No. 4, San Antonio Spurs), Dalton Knecht (No. 17, Los Angeles Lakers) and Reed Sheppard (No. 3, Houston Rockets) have had strong starts to their professional careers. Sheppard made the biggest splash in Las Vegas, averaging 20 points on 49% from 2 and 38.5% from 3 in the first three games.
Summer league will conclude Monday night when the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Miami Heat (8 ET, ESPN) in the championship.
As we move into the heart of the offseason, our NBA Insiders break down the biggest performances and surprises from summer league action in Northern California, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
What was the biggest surprise of the summer league?
Kendra Andrews: After struggling with his shots at the California Classic, Dalton Knecht found his feet in Las Vegas. He shot 39.1% from 3 on 7.7 attempts per game and averaged 21.1 points. It’s unclear where Knecht will fit into new coach JJ Redick’s plans, but the No. 17 pick proved he can add to Los Angeles’ shooting depth.
Kevin Pelton: Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington, who averaged 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists in summer league, looks poised to contribute as one of the youngest players in the NBA this season. One day shy of his 19th birthday, Carrington capped his summer with 13 points and 15 rebounds in Saturday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s going to be a tough time if the Wizards turn the offense around to Carrington as a rookie — perhaps even better for a 2025 lottery pick — but his ability to hit pull-up 3s could ultimately make Carrington a dangerous option. -player plays.
Ohm Youngmixed: The Clippers may have found another second-round gem in 2023 pick Jordan Miller. Taken 48th overall by Miami, Miller opened the summer league with 36 points and 6-for-10 shooting from behind the arc in a win against Denver and did not disappear in the background. He led the Clippers to the summer league semifinals, averaging 25.4 points (third best in the summer league), 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 60% from 3. Miller will try to maintain this momentum and follow other tracks. The 6-foot-5 guard the Clippers took with the same pick in the 2019 second round — Terance Mann. With Paul George and Russell Westbrook leaving via free agency, there is an opportunity for Miller to prove himself in training camp after playing just eight regular season games last season.
Team Bontemps: Since the start of summer league, Reed Sheppard has looked the part. I was high on Sheppard’s potential during the draft process, and he showed with his play in Las Vegas why the Rockets should be very excited about his future in Houston – where he could fit right in with Amen Thompson as a long-term backcourt. tandem. If it weren’t for Houston’s crowded roster and rotation, he would be my pick for Rookie of the Year.
Jeremy Woo: Despite some short games, the Miami Heat’s Kel’el Ware has been on a roll – he’s been productive, seems very comfortable in Las Vegas and has landed in a good developmental spot with the Heat. Reputed for his inconsistent motor that exceeds the coordination of changes and touch around the basket, the game comes easy for Ware now. He has more room to operate and guards find him to lob. I was initially unsure about the fit when Miami took him 15th in the draft, but his trajectory points in the right direction.
What was your biggest disappointment of the summer league?
Andrews: That Zach Edey just played. I’m looking forward to seeing the Grizzlies’ No. 9 pick against summer league talent. But an ankle injury during the California Classic and in Vegas limited the 7-foot-4 center to just 42 minutes on the court this summer. Edey joining the young and contending Grizzlies is exciting, but his availability will be a spectacle on a team that was plagued by injuries last season.
Pelton: Alex Sarr is inaccurate. Given Sarr’s skill level for his age and size, I’m shocked the Wizards’ No. On the other hand, Sarr appears to be part of the best option defensively, clearing shots and moving around the perimeter, but he needs to curb his pursuit of 3s on offense and find more opportunities to finish above the rim.
Young Misuk: The Wizards know Alex Sarr needs a lot of time to develop. Sarr wants to play defense, can move like a small player and is very long. Still, after seeing his debut with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks against No. 1 Atlanta overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, it was jarring when the 7-foot teenager became the first player to shoot 0-for-15, including. 0-for-7 from 3, and failed to score a point in the game against Portland. Sarr can also put the ball on the floor, although, as one evaluator of the Wizards’ talent suggests, he may have trouble doing so.
Bontemps: With this year’s events between the debut of Victor Wembanyama in 2023 and the signing of Cooper Flagg next year and the rest of the lauded 2025 NBA draft class, the atmosphere in Vegas is low. The presence of Bronny James did not meet the previously hyped expectations, and it does not help that the American audience is not familiar with the two top international choices.
wow: Timberwolves No. 8 Pick Rob Dillingham struggled a bit with efficiency. He looked uncomfortable at times, which could be a result of his inactivity on the field due to an injury that appeared in the pre-draft process. With his lack of physical strength at this stage, he had no margin for error.
A rookie who will have an immediate impact on an NBA team?
Andrews: As the young Rockets look to take the next step, Reed Sheppard will play an immediate role. He has looked comfortable since the start of summer league, finding the shooting range with ease and acting as a floor general. The tool will get minutes in Houston to support the Rockets’ young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.
Pelton: Donovan Clingan. Although Clingan’s offense – and especially his 3-point shooting – is still a work in progress, his rim protection will pay immediate dividends for a Portland Trail Blazers team that ranked 23rd in defensive rating last season. In particular, Portland struggled to defend at the rim. Opponents made 70.5% of their shots inside the restricted area, per NBA Advanced Stats, second highest in the league behind the Wizards. Clingan, whose 4.3 blocks per game is an NBA summer league record, would be a dramatic upgrade.
Young Misuk: Sheppard looked confident and appeared on top of his 6-foot-2, 182-pound frame. He averaged 20 points, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds, and he shot 50% from the field. But he was a surprise on the defensive end, averaging 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks. Obviously, things will get tougher at the next level, but Sheppard is looking up to the task. And if the summer league is any indication, the Kentucky product will be a fan favorite.
Bontemps: Zach Edey, because of his situation involved in Memphis. Not only was Edey the ninth overall pick and won his second consecutive national player of the year award at Purdue, but the 7-foot-4 center appeared to be on track to become the starting center for any Grizzlies squad looking to make it. deep playoffs with Ja Morant back in action along with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
wow: By now it was clear that Houston had to play Sheppard. The ability to space the floor will be important, and he will operate with less playmaking workload thanks to the number of creators on the floor around him. I’m not saying he will be the starter, but what we saw from him in Vegas portends also the ability to help the Rockets immediately.
The winner on Monday is _______.
Andrews: The Grizzlies have been playing all summer with a balanced and strong offense. Jaylen Wells led the Grizzlies with 28 points in the semifinals against the LA Clippers, and second-year forward GG Jackson II averaged 20.8 points, 11th best in the summer league.
Pelton: Memphis. The Heat’s 5-0 record has been built on 44.5% 3-point shooting, far better than any other team in Vegas. No other team can shoot 40% beyond the arc. We’ve seen Miami come back down to earth in the semifinals, when 31% from 3 was good enough to win three points as the Warriors shot 23.5%. Given the normal shooting, I think the Grizzlies’ chance.
Young Misuk: Even without Zach Edey, Memphis still needs to win. Jackson averaged 20.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 34.1% shooting from behind the arc. Scotty Pippen Jr., averaged 20 points, 8.2 assists and 5 rebounds and had a triple-double in the semifinal win over the Clippers.
Bontemps: Memphis, only because of the presence of Jackson and Pippen, the latter of whom had a triple-double in Sunday’s one-point win over the Clippers and averaged 20 points in the summer league.
wow: Miami. The roster is a perfect fit, and I’ll pick with the caveat that third-year guard Josh Christopher needs a semifinal repeat. Christopher led the team with 23 points against the Warriors on Sunday.
