The first week of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has been a spectacular showcase of young talents. Many rookies have risen to the occasion, dispelling any doubts about a historically weak draft class. Day 1 saw standout performances from players like Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis, and Bub Carrington, each of whom demonstrated their impressive potential.
Among these emerging stars, Reed Sheppard has particularly impressed with his refined feel for the game and extraordinary confidence. "Reed Sheppard, for example, has blown me away with his feel for the game and confidence. These guys are different players now than they were in March," said one NBA executive. In addition to Sheppard, other older rookies like Dalton Knecht, Tristan da Silva, and Terrence Shannon Jr. have shown they're well-prepared for the next level.
Young Prospects Surpass Expectations
Younger, long-term prospects such as Tidjane Salaun, Cody Williams, and Kel'el Ware also exhibited a readiness that exceeded initial expectations. Meanwhile, players like Ron Holland II voiced their frustration about the negative perception of their draft class. "It definitely makes me mad that people would say that. But we go out here and play the game of basketball and just show everybody, show the whole world why we really want [to be] the best competitive class," Holland stated.
Bronny James' Mixed Showing
Bronny James has had a mixed showing in the Summer League, representing the Lakers against teams like the Rockets, Celtics, and Hawks. Despite some ups and downs, he displayed perseverance and concluded his games with notable performances. Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized the team's long-term developmental plans for James, saying, "He is a development player. That's how we're looking at Bronny. He's certainly going to spend time with the Lakers. He will spend time as well in the G League."
One Western Conference scout commented, "No one can withstand the scrutiny he is under," highlighting the intense pressure faced by the young player.
Contract Developments and Trade Rumors
In other news, the LA Clippers and Paul George were unable to come to terms on a contract extension, resulting in George signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers had offered George a deal starting at around $60 million for two years but without a no-trade clause. The discussions broke down as the Clippers aimed to maintain future cap flexibility. Clippers president Lawrence Frank noted, "Team building is completely different when your best players are in their 30s and with the second apron. What happens is all the team-building tools are completely stripped away and you're stuck."
The Denver Nuggets are also making moves, reportedly expressing interest in acquiring Russell Westbrook as a veteran backup point guard. This comes as the Nuggets look to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.
Injuries and New Draft Format
Unfortunately, not all news from the Summer League has been positive. DaRon Holmes II suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him for the upcoming season. Holmes, the 22nd overall pick in the draft, had been averaging 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds at Dayton.
The new two-day draft format has received positive feedback from NBA executives, who appreciated the additional time to regroup after the first night. "Having the ability to regroup after the first night and then meet most of the following day created a great process for our group in determining our next moves," said one executive. Yet, some front office members felt that a longer second round with more time between picks would be beneficial.
Overall, the reset between days has led to better internal and external conversations, improving the decision-making process for teams. "This is how billion-dollar businesses like ours should be operated. Especially in this new world of staring down the second apron with tens of millions of dollars in potential luxury tax implications on the line," remarked another executive.
As the Summer League continues, the performances in Las Vegas will undoubtedly keep shaping opinions about the 2024 draft class. The young talents have set a promising tone, and the coming days will reveal more about their potential as future NBA stars.