The first week of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has put the spotlight on several promising young talents aiming for a spot in the 2024 NBA draft. Despite the initial skepticism about a potentially weak draft class, many rookies have risen to the occasion, exhibiting skills and confidence that defy expectations.
Among the standouts were Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis, and Bub Carrington, who all delivered stellar performances on Day 1. "Reed Sheppard, for example, has blown me away with his feel for the game and confidence," remarked one NBA executive. "These guys are different players now than they were in March."
Sheppard, in particular, has garnered attention for his extraordinary court awareness and self-assurance. His ability to navigate the game with such poise has been a revelation and sets a promising tone for his future career.
The Summer League has also highlighted the preparedness of older rookies, such as Dalton Knecht, Tristan da Silva, and Terrence Shannon Jr. These players have demonstrated a maturity and readiness that bode well for their transition to the professional level. In addition, younger long-term prospects like Tidjane Salaun, Cody Williams, and Kel’el Ware have shown more readiness than initially anticipated, hinting at potential future stars in the making.
Ron Holland II has voiced his frustration over the criticism levied at the 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 expressed, clearly motivated to prove skeptics wrong.
On another front, Bronny James has had a mixed showing in the Summer League while representing the Lakers against the Rockets, Celtics, and Hawks. Despite facing ups and downs, James exhibited remarkable perseverance, culminating in some notable performances. Lakers coach JJ Redick commented, "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." This long-term developmental approach aims to ensure that James reaches his full potential under the Lakers' guidance.
In off-court developments, the LA Clippers and Paul George were unable to agree on a contract extension. The Clippers had offered George a deal without a no-trade clause, starting at around $60 million for two years. However, discussions broke down as the Clippers sought to maintain future cap flexibility. George has since signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. "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," explained Clippers president Lawrence Frank, highlighting the challenges teams face under the new salary cap structure.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are reportedly interested in acquiring Russell Westbrook as a veteran backup point guard, a move that could enhance their depth and experience. However, the team was struck by a setback when DaRon Holmes II suffered a torn Achilles during Summer League play, an injury that will sideline him for the upcoming season. Holmes, the 22nd overall pick in the draft, had a promising start, averaging 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds at Dayton before the injury.
The introduction of a new two-day draft format has received positive feedback from NBA executives. The additional time between rounds has allowed teams to regroup after the first night, leading to better decision-making and numerous trade scenarios. One executive noted, "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." Another executive added, "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."
As the NBA Summer League continues to unfold in Las Vegas, the performances so far have been instrumental in shaping opinions about the 2024 draft class. Each game presents an opportunity for young talents to showcase their abilities and solidify their spot in the upcoming draft, promising an exciting future for the league's newest generation of players.