2021 NBA Summer League Info

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NBA SUMMER LEAGUE INFORMATION

NBA Summer League Info (California Classic, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas) https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2021


Las Vegas Review Journal https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports...iatus-2415512/

July 1, 2020 was the day reality began to set in for Albert Hall. That’s when he realized the crown jewel of his company — the NBA’s Vegas Summer League — wouldn’t happen.

At least not in 2020.

“It was a really hard day for me,’” said Hall, who co-founded the event in 2004, ensuring an annual NBA presence every summer in Las Vegas. “But we got through it, just like everything else. You just try and find ways. For us, it was, ‘When do we start the planning for the next one?’ Just the apprehension and not knowing, that was tough.”

Hall and fellow co-founder Warren LeGarie managed to power through the void that last year left in their operation and are eager to welcome the NBA and its fans back to Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion for Vegas Summer League once again.

The 10-day hoopfest begins Sunday and will conclude Aug. 17 with the championship game.

All 30 NBA teams are participating, and top draws include Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes and Jalen Suggs, all of whom were drafted last month in the top five.

“Summer league is always about hope and optimism. Every team is undefeated before the play. Every team comes in with the belief ‘We’re going to be this. We’re going to be that,’” LeGarie said. “That’s the thing that drives us. … No matter what, our league is still about stars of tomorrow, today.”

That optimism waned last year as the COVID-19 pandemic surged, forcing a stoppage of the NBA 2019-20 season and putting months of planning in flux for Hall and LeGarie. They’d hoped some type of fall league would be plausible after the league concluded its year in a sterile, bubble setting in the Orlando area.

But the scheduling didn’t make sense and the two tabled plans, eyeing a return in 2021 instead.

“It’s like not having a life. No matter what, you incorporate (Vegas Summer League) into your yearly schedule,” LeGarie said. “It’s something that we expect to do. It’s a source of pride. There’s a lot of honor in this. … It’s tough. It’s a lot harder to go through than you realize.”

LeGarie’s optimism resurfaced, though, during the All-Star break in March, when COVID-19 vaccines became readily available and franchises began allowing limited fans to attend games. The planning process was truncated, but LeGarie said the NBA “felt as if (Vegas Summer League) was something from a health standpoint, that could be done.”

He also explained that NBA teams hoped to participate this summer in Vegas Summer League so they could evaluate their rookie class and second-year prospects, having not been able to do so last summer.

With that in mind, Hall and LeGarie worked in conjunction with the NBA and its television partners to identify dates for this year’s event. A preliminary announcement was made in May, with a more formal announcement following in June.

“This year, less is more,” Hall said. “If we can do what we do well, not throw a lot of wrinkles in there and just keep everybody safe, that’s our primary goal.”

Spectators will be required to wear facemasks inside the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. LeGarie said he may consider eliminating some seating as a way to create more safe space for spectators and league personnel: “Sacrifices that are necessary for things to be successful.”

But masks and seating arrangements aside, the league will go on as normal.

Games all day in one arena and games all day in the other.

“We want to be safe. We want to have a great environment … but also the extra effort to make sure we’re safe,” Hall said. “I always feel better when the ball is up in the air. Once we’re playing and we’re hooping, that’s when everything starts to feel special.”

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California Classic Summer League (Aug 3-4)

Info https://www.nba.com/kings/caclassic

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Salt Lake City Summer League (Aug 3-6)

Info https://www.nba.com/jazz/summerleague/2021#event

Schedule https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2021/utah/schedule

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NBA Las Vegas Summer League (Aug 8-17)

Info https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2021

Team Rosters https://www.nba.com/summer-league/20...s/team-rosters

Game Results/Box Scores https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2021/vegas/schedule

NBA Summer League Game Highlights https://www.youtube.com/c/NBA/videos

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SALT LAKE CITY

Utah White 87 San Antonio 58

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-utw-...core#box-score


Memphis 104 Utah Blue 65

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-utb-...core#box-score


CALIFORNIA CLASSIC

Miami 80 Los Angeles Lakers 78

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/lal-vs-mia-...core#box-score


Golden State 89 Sacramento 82 OT

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/gsw-vs-sac-...core#box-score

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SALT LAKE CITY

Utah White 94 Memphis 75

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-utw-...core#box-score


Utah Blue 78 San Antonio 64

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-utb-...core#box-score


CALIFORNIA CLASSIC

Miami 94 Golden State 87

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/mia-vs-gsw-...core#box-score


Los Angeles Lakers 84 Sacramento 74

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/lal-vs-sac-...core#box-score

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Day 1 Standouts (Aug 3) https://www.nba.com/news/2021-summer...tandouts-day-1

Day 2 Standouts (Aug 4) https://www.nba.com/news/2021-summer...tandouts-day-2

Day 3 Standouts (Aug 6) https://www.nba.com/news/2021-summer...tandouts-day-3

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SALT LAKE CITY

Memphis 82 San Antonio 77

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/sas-vs-mem-...core#box-score


Utah White 83 Utah Blue 65

Box Score https://www.nba.com/game/utb-vs-utw-...core#box-score

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NBA https://www.nba.com/news/mgm-resorts...format-summary

The 16th MGM Resorts NBA Summer League will feature all 30 NBA teams playing five games each. After every team plays four games, the two teams with the best records from the first four games will meet in the Championship Game on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. For a complete schedule, click here.


Format Summary

• All 30 NBA teams will participate. A total of 75 games will be played.

• Each team will play a total of five games. • Each team will play four games from Aug. 8-15.

• The top two teams from their first four games will play in the Championship Game (Aug. 17). Seeding for the Championship Game will be determined by winning percentage with tiebreakers set forth below.

• The 28 teams not playing in the Championship Game will play a fifth game on either Aug. 16 or 17.

• Consolation games will be determined by various factors, including team rivalries, broadcast interest and other scheduling considerations (e.g., timing of back-to-backs).


Tiebreak Criteria

1. Two Teams Tied. In the case of a tie in preliminary round records involving only two teams, the following criteria (in order) will be utilized:

• Head-to-head matchup: The team that won the game between the two teams in the preliminary round, if applicable, receives the higher seed.

• Point differential: The team with the greater point differential receives the higher seed.

• Random drawing: The higher seed shall be determined by a “coin flip.”


2. More Than Two Teams Tied. In the case of a tie in preliminary round records involving more than two teams, the following criteria (in order) will be utilized:

• Point differential: The team with the greater point differential receives the higher seed.

• Random drawing: The higher seed shall be determined by a “coin flip.”

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Bleacher Report https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...vegas-schedule



NBA Summer League 2021: Previewing Biggest Games On Las Vegas Schedule

The 2021 NBA Draft class is a talented one from top to bottom, with a group of top 10 picks that could rival that of prior draft classes.

1. Detroit Pistons- Cade Cunningham
2. Houston Rockets- Jalen Green
3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Evan Mobley
4. Toronto Raptors- Scottie Barnes
5. Orlando Magic- Jalen Suggs
6. Oklahoma City Thunder- Josh Giddey
7. Golden State Warriors- Jonathan Kuminga
8. Orlando Magic- Franz Wagner
9. Sacramento Kings- Davion Mitchell
10. Memphis Grizzlies- Ziaire Williams

The NBA Summer League is underway, but not for every team quite yet. There is some action taking place in Sacramento and Salt Lake City, though not every NBA organization is represented in these early games.

However, things will be picking up soon, because the NBA Summer League will be heading to Las Vegas beginning Sunday. All 30 franchises will send players to the league, which will run through Aug. 17, and there will be plenty of talent in action.

You won't get to see the big-name stars in Vegas, as most top players don't participate. But there will be incoming rookies and other youngsters looking to prove themselves while trying to make the roster for the 2021-22 season. And there will be a few veterans looking to do the same, too.

Here's a look at a few Summer League matchups you're going to want to catch over the next couple weeks.


Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Aug. 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET

The Detroit Pistons used the No. 1 overall pick to select Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham in the 2021 NBA draft one week ago. And it won't be long before they get to see him in action, considering he'll be on their Summer League team that begins play Sunday against Oklahoma City.

The results for these games don't matter to most, but the 19-year-old wants to lead his new team to success, even though the Summer League championship isn't exactly comparable to the NBA title.

"I mean more than anything we want to win Summer League," Cunningham said, per Lauren Williams of MLive.com. "We want to go undefeated, as a team. On top of that, we want to just take a step forward as far as gelling as a young core, being together, playing for each other, things like that."

In addition to Cunningham, the Pistons' Summer League roster features center Luka Garza (second-round draft pick out of Iowa) and guard John Petty Jr. (undrafted out of Alabama) as notable rookies looking to perform well. Second-year players Saddiq Bey and Killian Hayes will be playing, as will Sekou Doumbouya, a 2019 first-round pick.

The Thunder have an exciting roster as well, with 2021 first-round draft picks Josh Giddey (No. 6 overall) and Tre Mann (No. 18) set to play. Theo Maledon will also be in action looking to build off his solid rookie NBA season.

This Pistons-Thunder matchup will tip off on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.


New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Aug. 11 at 10 P.m. ET

While the Summer League is typically for incoming rookies and less-proven players, there are some notable names on the Knicks' roster who you may not have expected to see heading to Las Vegas. That includes guard Immanuel Quickley and forwards Obi Toppin and Kevin Knox.

Quickley and Toppin were both rookies last season, so they're not huge surprises. But Knox already has 182 games of NBA experience over three seasons. However, the 21-year-old told the Knicks that he wanted to participate in Summer League, according to SNY's Ian Begley.

New York will also get its first look at rookie guard Quentin Grimes, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 25 overall pick in the draft and then traded to the Knicks.

On the other side, the Lakers won't be sending many of their notable players, considering they have a lot of veterans on their roster. But one notable name suiting up for them is former Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi, who went undrafted and then signed a two-way contract with the Lakers.

This Knicks-Lakers matchup will tip off on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2.


Portland Trail Blazers vs. Indiana Pacers, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. ET

Neither Michael Beasley nor Kenneth Faried has played in an NBA game since 2019. However, both veterans will be on the Trail Blazers' Summer League roster as two of the most experienced players in action in Las Vegas. But they also have a lot to prove.

Beasley played 11 NBA seasons, but his production waned later on. The forward is still only 32, though. Meanwhile, Faried is 31 and has eight years of NBA experience himself.

It will be interesting to see how the two look on the courts and whether they can still contribute for an NBA team, be it Portland or somebody else.

The Trail Blazers have some other notable players on their roster, such as rookies Greg Brown and CJ Elleby, both of whom were second-round draft picks, as well as forward Nassir Little, who is entering his third NBA season.

This matchup will also give fans the opportunity to see Pacers rookie guard Chris Duarte, who was selected with the No. 13 overall pick out of Oregon. He will be an older rookie at 24, but that could help him outperform some of the less-experienced players in the Summer League.

This Trail Blazers-Pacers matchup will tip off on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET on NBA TV.

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NBA https://www.nba.com/news/15-players-...-summer-league

1. Cole Anthony, Magic

• First Game | Aug. 8: Magic vs. Warriors (8 ET, NBA TV)

Anthony averaged 12.9 points and 4.1 assists during his rookie campaign, both top five amongst rookies last season. His best moment was a buzzer-beater to beat the Grizzlies and cap off a 26-point performance. Starting this week in Las Vegas, he’ll get his first action alongside rookie Jalen Suggs, whom the Magic selected at No. 5 overall. Anthony will get the chance to show his skills at full strength after missing significant time due to a fractured rib last season.


2. Scottie Barnes, Raptors

• First Game | Aug. 8: Raptors vs. Knicks (4:30 ET, ESPN)

The Florida State product, who was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has an impressive frame at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds with a nearly 7-foot-3 wingspan. Keep an eye on the defensive end where Barnes is able to defend multiple positions with all-out effort. “I just want to be great. I’m just a great person, great teammate, great player. I want to be known for someone that just does it all,” Barnes said. His charisma and personality has already started to shine (plus Drake and Toronto have already welcomed him in with open arms). His versatility as a big who has the potential to play all positions will be exciting to watch in Las Vegas.


3. James Bouknight, Hornets

• First Game | Aug. 8: Hornets vs. Kings (6 ET, NBA TV)

Bouknight surprisingly fell outside the top 10 into the lap of the Hornets at No. 11 in the 2021 draft. The guard played two seasons for UConn, improving his points, assists, blocks and rebounds per game from his first to second season. He’s a great ballhandler and finisher, and he can get to the rim with ease. He’ll join a dynamic young team in Charlotte anchored by LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier. “We’re going to be box office for sure,” Bouknight said of him and Ball. There will be a lot of excitement in Charlotte this season, and Bouknight will get the chance to show a reason why during Summer League play.


4. Cade Cunningham, Pistons

• First Game | Aug. 8: Thunder vs. Pistons (8:30 ET, ESPN2)

The No. 1 overall pick was the player of the year in his freshman campaign at Oklahoma State. He’s looking to bring his talent in isolation play and elite scoring ability to the Pistons in 2021-22. The Pistons have made the playoffs just twice in the last 12 seasons, and they are in need for a face of their franchise — Cunningham is just that. Not only is Cunningham a clutch scorer and talented defender, he’s a leader and knows how to win, which is a strong makeup for the cornerstone of a franchise. They’re already calling him ‘Motor Cade’ in the Motor City, and he’ll get the chance to live up to that name in Las Vegas alongside Detroit’s strong rookie group from last season (Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, Saben Lee and Isaiah Stewart).


5. Ayo Dosunmu, Bulls

• First Game | Aug. 9: Pelicans vs. Bulls (3 ET, ESPN2)

From Chicago to Champaign and back to Chicago. Dosunmu is staying in his home state of Illinois, where he grew up, starred at Illinois and is now playing professionally. The 2020-21 first-team All-American averaged 20.1 points for the Illini and carried them to a Big Ten Conference championship and No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Dosunmu went a little later than expected (No. 38 overall) and he’ll join a Bulls squad that continues to add talent this offseason. Summer League should be the perfect opportunity for Dosunmu to shine.


6. Chris Duarte, Pacers

• First Game | Aug. 8: Wizards vs. Pacers (8 ET, NBA TV)

The former Oregon star is a great shooter, winning the Jerry West Award last season as the nation’s best shooting guard. Contenders such as the Lakers and Warriors reportedly wanted to land Duarte, but he ended up with the Pacers at pick No. 13. He’s going to be a 24-year-old rookie, so he has more experience than other rookies. After being coached by Dana Altman at Oregon, he’ll certainly know how to adapt to the NBA and newly hired veteran coach Rick Carlisle. He’ll likely be a 3-and-D contributor who could join the Pacers’ rotation right away. His 3-point shot will be the thing to watch during the action in Las Vegas.


7. Josh Giddey, Thunder

• First Game | Aug. 8: Thunder vs. Pistons (8:30 ET, ESPN2)

The 18-year-old from Australia got drafted higher than projected to the Thunder at No. 6 overall. Giddey climbed up Draft boards in recent weeks, partly due to his performance for the Australian national team during the Olympics. Giddey played for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League last season, averaging 10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and a league-best 7.6 assists, taking home NBL Rookie of the Year honors. He’s a triple-double threat, netting three in 28 games. “He makes other people better,” GM Sam Presti said. Giddey has great playmaking skills and a veteran feel for the game that the Thunder value. “It’s a great young team and I can’t wait to get down there,” Giddey said after he was drafted. He’s going to be an exciting player to watch in Vegas.


8. Jalen Green, Rockets

• First Game | Aug. 8: Rockets vs. Cavaliers (6:30 ET, ESPN2)

Opting to skip college and play for the G League Ignite instead, Jalen Green got the chance to play against NBA quality opponents. Doing so readied him for NBA-level competition. Green averaged 17.9 points in 15 NBA G League games and showcased his elite athleticism. The upside is tremendous for the ultra-confident No. 2 overall pick. He’ll team up with young guard Kevin Porter Jr. in Houston this season, making for an exciting backcourt. This week in Las Vegas will give Green the chance to show the NBA world what to expect this season.


9. Jalen Johnson, Hawks

• First Game | Aug. 8: Celtics vs. Hawks (4 ET, NBA TV)

Johnson was selected No. 20 in the Draft after playing 13 games at Duke as a freshman, averaging 11.2 points. In his debut, he had 19 points and 19 rebounds, showcasing his potential. He’s another player with tremendous upside, and the Hawks pounced on the opportunity to draft the forward, who they didn’t think would drop that far. There are a lot of questions surrounding Johnson after he left the Duke squad early and left IMG Academy his senior year. The stage in Las Vegas this week will provide him a good opportunity to show the Hawks why it was a good decision to select him.


10. Corey Kispert, Wizards

• First Game | Aug. 8: Wizards vs. Pacers (8 ET, NBA TV)

Kispert was the second former Gonzaga player drafted in the first round, going to the Wizards at No. 15. He played four years at Gonzaga and was 126-11 in that span. The 6-foot-7 forward dominated his senior year, averaging 18.6 points and shooting 44% on 3-pointers (which was sixth in the NCAA) while also being named West Coast Conference player of the year. Kispert is a fantastic shooter, knows how to win and has a strong work ethic, all of which are a recipe that can help a player contribute immediately in the NBA. The Wizards certainly need it as they enter a new era with Bradley Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie.


11. Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors

• First Game | Aug. 9: Magic vs. Warriors (8 ET, NBA TV)

Another G League Ignite product, the 6-foot-8 forward was selected No. 7 overall by Golden State. He’s 18 and incredibly talented with crazy athleticism and strength. It may take him a few seasons to develop, which made it an interesting selection for the Warriors who are in a win-now mindset. Kuminga averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Ignite and, like Green, that time in the G League was important to Kuminga’s growth. However, it also exposed some of his weaknesses and rawness. He has tremendous upside, and he will certainly show off his raw talent in Las Vegas to impress Golden State.


12. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

• First Game | Aug. 8: Rockets vs. Cavaliers (6:30 ET ET, ESPN2)

There’s no disputing that Mobley was the best-regarded big man in the 2021 NBA Draft. As a freshman at USC, the 7-footer was the Pac-12’s player of the year, defensive player of the year and rookie of the year after averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.9 blocks. Mobley was picked by Cleveland, which could use his interior presence. The team is young, which bodes well for Mobley, who will pair well with young guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, specifically in the pick-and-roll game. Mobley should be able to dominate in Vegas with his athleticism, defense and passing.


13. Jalen Suggs, Magic

• First Game | Aug. 9: Magic vs. Warriors (8 ET, NBA TV)

The man behind one of the best shots in NCAA tournament history, Jalen Suggs is arguably the best all-around player and most NBA ready prospect in this class. Suggs has a unique feel for the game, something he showcased all year in Spokane with the Gonzaga Bulldogs as West Coast Conference Rookie of the Year. Suggs is an incredible passer, which will be a great asset for the Magic, who were 28th in assists per game last season. “The sky’s the limit,” Suggs said after he was drafted. Another young team in rebuild, Suggs will battle to win the starting point guard role. Look out for some flashy passes from Suggs in Summer League action.


14. Jason Preston, Clippers

• First Game | Aug. 9: Clippers vs. Bucks (9 ET, ESPNU)

Preston’s story is undoubtedly intriguing: he averaged two points a game in high school, only started in one game and was planning on becoming an NBA writer. Now, he’s an NBA rookie. Preston hails from a mid-major (Ohio) and dominated as a sophomore and junior, averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 assists and 6.8 rebounds during that span. He almost single-handedly beat Illinois in 2020-21 and led the Bobcats to an NCAA Tournament upset of a powerhouse Virginia squad in 2021. He parlayed that into being the No. 33 pick in the Draft and could be a find for L.A. There’s so much to like about his story, and he will need to hit the ground running in Summer League as he looks to battle for a spot with the Clippers. Preston has overcome adversity before, and he won’t back down to the challenge.


15. Immanuel Quickley, Knicks

• First Game | Aug. 8: Raptors vs. Knicks (4:30 ET, ESPN2)

As a rookie, Quickley averaged 11.4 points and was an All-Rookie Second Team selection for the East’s No. 4 team. The No. 25 pick in 2020, he exceeded expectations and became a valuable rotation player for the Knicks. He was also selected to the USA basketball Select Team that got to compete this summer against the Olympic team, which should be beneficial for his game. This week in Las Vegas will give him an early chance to show how his game has developed since his rookie campaign.


Other Players To Watch:

1. Obi Toppin (Knicks)
2. Isaiah Todd (Wizards)
3. Brandon Knight (Nets)
4. Patrick Williams (Bulls)
5. Omer Yurtseven (Heat)
6. LiAngelo Ball (Hornets)
7. Davion Mitchell (Kings)
8. Alex Antetokounmpo (Kings)
9. Kenneth Faried (Trail Blazers)
10. Michael Beasley (Trail Blazers)

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ESPN https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/sto...yers-need-know



What should fans and teams be looking for from the most interesting prospects at the Las Vegas Summer League?

Following a 2020 hiatus due to COVID-19, the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2021 will take place Aug. 8-17 in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. The 75-game event will feature all 30 NBA teams, each playing five games apiece.

After the first four games are played, the two teams with the best record will play in the championship game on Aug. 17.

NBA Insiders Kevin Pelton and Mike Schmitz go team by team, giving one player to watch and why.

More: NBA Summer League scoreboard https://www.espn.com/nba-summer-league/scoreboard

Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson | Small Forward

The summer league will be Johnson's first game action since February, when he decided to end his lone season at Duke with six games remaining in ACC play. That decision might have contributed to Johnson, who was once projected in the top 10, dropping to the Hawks at No. 20. We'll get a first look at what Johnson has added to his game in five months spent preparing for the draft. -- Kevin Pelton

Boston Celtics

Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith | Shoot Guards

Barely two months after getting regular minutes for the Celtics in their playoff loss to the Brooklyn Nets, former lottery picks Langford and Nesmith will be in action in Las Vegas. So too will Payton Pritchard, but this is a more important opportunity for Langford and Nesmith to prove they belong in Boston's 2021-22 rotation. With the addition of Josh Richardson, the Celtics have room for one, but maybe not both. -- Pelton

Brooklyn Nets

Cameron Thomas | Shooting Guard

The summer league style should be a good fit for Thomas' ability to get buckets. He averaged 23.0 PPG during his lone season at LSU, the most by a freshman in a major conference since Trae Young in 2017-18. I'd expect a 2-of-11 shooting night at some point, but also expect a game where he goes off for 30 points and leaves viewers wondering how he was still available at the 27th pick. -- Pelton

Charlotte Hornets

James Bouknight | Shooting Guard

Hey, did we mention that volume scorers can be fun in summer league? Bouknight, who averaged 18.7 PPG as a sophomore at UConn, certainly fits the bill too. He went for 40 points in an overtime loss to Creighton in December. I'm most curious to see how comfortable Bouknight looks from the NBA 3-point line after he shot just 29% from the shorter NCAA line last season, though he was reportedly more accurate in pre-draft workouts. -- Pelton

Chicago Bulls

Patrick Williams | Power Forward

Ordinarily, a rookie who saw nearly 2,000 minutes while starting 71 games would be excused from summer league, but Williams and fellow 2020 draft picks missed out on the experience last summer. Given that Chicago added Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan, this might be Williams' last opportunity to try handling the ball for a while. -- Pelton

Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley | Center

Isaac Okoro, last year's No. 5 pick, heads to summer league with more experience (2,173 minutes) than Williams. Still, all eyes will be on Mobley, drafted third overall last month. Although the Cavaliers have a couple of other bigs on the roster, most notably former Clippers first-round pick Mfiondu Kabengele, Mobley will likely play mostly at center -- a different role than he might play in the fall alongside Jarrett Allen. -- Pelton

Dallas Mavericks

Tyrell Terry | Point Guard

Terry had his ups and downs as a rookie, playing just 56 NBA minutes while showing both the good and the bad in 13 G League bubble games. We'll have a close eye on how he's evolved physically, as whether he can hold up defensively will go a long way in determining if he'll be able to show his sharpshooting and playmaking potential in Dallas this season. Josh Green's confidence from beyond the arc will also be a point of interest, as he's an impactful enough defender to earn minutes under Jason Kidd next season. -- Mike Schmitz

Denver Nuggets

Bol Bol | Center

The 21-year-old, 7-foot-2 unicorn was unable to build on his bubble brilliance last season with an accomplished Nuggets team, appearing in just 36 games while averaging just 4.4 minutes per game. Talent has never been the question for Bol, it's whether or not he has the physicality and motor to play a real role throughout an entire season. How he looks in Las Vegas should help determine if he'll be able to make a leap next season. In addition to Bol, Bones Hyland is the type of bucket-getting guard built for summer league. I'll also have an eye on Nigerian guard Caleb Agada, who led the Israeli League in scoring last year. -- Schmitz

Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham | Shooting Guard

The Pistons will have plenty of young talent during summer league: Cunningham and 2020 first-round picks Saddiq Bey and Killian Hayes. Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick, will be the marquee attraction not only for Detroit but for summer league as a whole, as we'll see how his versatile skill set translates to the NBA game for the first time. -- Pelton

Golden State Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga | Power Forward

Long considered the biggest wild card to hear his name called in the top 10, Kuminga will be watched closely by NBA scouts and executives in Vegas, especially considering that the Warriors front office faced tremendous pressure to nail both lottery picks. Will Kuminga look like the toolsy wing from the G League bubble, whom executives raved about as a potential No. 1 pick? Or will his streaky shooting, up-and-down motor and inconsistent decision-making show up? We'll learn more about just how ready the Congolese wing is to contribute alongside Steph Curry & Co. -- Schmitz

Houston Rockets

Alperen Sengun | Center

Jalen Green is the clear headliner here, but we know what he's capable of doing against NBA-caliber competition having watched him average an efficient 18.7 points per game in the G League bubble. I'm more interested in how Alperen Sengun's historic Turkish League production will translate to summer league. Will the 6-foot-10 Sengun be able to dominate the paint like he did in Turkey? Will he unleash the 3-point shooting and passing upside I saw in a practice setting? Will he look limited on the defensive end or were those concerns overblown? Given his status as the No. 1 prospect on Kevin Pelton's top 30 rankings, there's a lot of intrigue here. -- Schmitz

Indiana Pacers

Chris Duarte | Shooting Guard

It's unusual for a rookie to be among a team's older players in summer league, but that's the case with the 24-year-old Duarte, who's older than four teammates with NBA experience (Goga Bitadze, Jordan Bone, Oshae Brissett and Cassius Stanley). Given his age, the Pacers will expect Duarte to hit the ground running in training camp, making this an important development opportunity for the Oregon product. -- Pelton

LA Clippers

Brandon Boston Jr. | Shooting Guard

The Clippers took a talent swing with the No. 51 pick on the 6-foot-7 Boston, who was once a projected top-five pick, as the league will have an eye on whether the Clippers struck gold. Will he show us the glimpses of shot creation that had him so highly touted coming out of Sierra Canyon, or will he continue to struggle as he did at Kentucky with his shooting consistency, finishing and defensive toughness? Keon Johnson and Jason Preston are also ones to watch, but Boston is the most intriguing given the disparity between his ability, high school ranking and production last season. -- Schmitz

Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves | Shooting Guard

I was shocked to see Reaves go undrafted after averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists at Oklahoma last season, highlighted by a 27-point outburst against Jalen Suggs and Gonzaga. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-6 guard is a creative shot generator who brings confidence and toughness to a Lakers team that could use another youthful playmaker. Even with the additions of Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk, it wouldn't surprise me to see Reaves parlay a strong summer league into a rotation spot. Keep an eye on Michigan wing Chaundee Brown, who signed an Exhibit 10 with the Lakers and can add much-needed defensive toughness and perimeter shooting (42% from 3) on the perimeter. -- Schmitz

Memphis Grizzlies

Ziaire Williams | Small Forward

The Grizzlies sent shockwaves through the league by selecting Ziaire Williams at No. 10, and I'm eager to see how he looks in his first 5-on-5 action since March 3. Williams started gaining traction in the pre-draft process after workouts and interviews that answered questions about his subpar season at Stanford, inching closer to where he was projected when he started college (RSCI No. 6 player in 2020). Was Williams' underwhelming freshman year a product of COVID-19 stipulations and deaths in his family? Will his game pop with NBA spacing and more talent around him? Or will Williams' slight frame, streaky shooting (47% true shooting) and lack of toughness limit him? -- Schmitz

Miami Heat

Max Strus | Shooting Guard

Strus and fellow Miami two-way player Gabe Vincent saw regular action last season and could be called on to play even bigger roles in 2021-22 with the Heat sacrificing depth in order to acquire Kyle Lowry in a sign-and-trade deal. Strus will be on a full NBA deal this upcoming season after the Heat agreed to re-sign him as a restricted free agent, as reported by my ESPN colleague Adrian Wojnarowski. -- Pelton

Milwaukee Bucks

Elijah Bryant | Shooting Guard

The Bucks signed Bryant just before the end of the regular season and he actually got 50 minutes of playing time during their championship run. Milwaukee has loaded up at guard in free agency, putting obstacles in Bryant's path to regular playing time, but the shooting ability he flashed in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv (42% in the Israeli Super League last season and 39% over the past two in EuroLeague) gives him a chance. -- Pelton

Minnesota Timberwolves

McKinley Wright | Point Guard

The Colorado guard was one of my favorite undrafted prospects from the 2021 draft thanks to his defensive toughness, floor game and all-around winning impact. He reminds me of a young TJ McConnell with his intangibles, midrange game and defensive smarts. Expect Wright to apply nonstop ball pressure, slice and dice through opposing defenses and lead Minnesota to a handful of wins. The organizational focus will be on the highly intriguing Jaden McDaniels, but the Timberwolves added a true winner in Wright, who is on a two-way contract. -- Schmitz

New York Knicks

Obi Toppin | Center

Of the four players drafted in the top nine picks not to reach 1,000 minutes as a rookie, Toppin was the only one not to miss extended time due to injury. He was simply stuck behind Julius Randle, who has now agreed to a four-year contract extension after emerging as an All-NBA starter. That makes this an important opportunity for Toppin to show the Knicks what he can do in a bigger role. -- Pelton

New Orleans Pelicans

Kira Lewis Jr. | Point Guard

With Lonzo Ball off to Chicago, the door is open for 20-year-old Kira Lewis to prove he should be viewed as the team's lead guard of the future. Lewis had bright spots down the stretch last season, and his stellar open-court speed, scoring instincts and evolving floor game should shine in a summer league setting. Although it came in limited action, Lewis was the only rookie to post better than a 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, which wasn't considered a strength of his in college. Even with the addition of Devonte' Graham, Lewis is the most dynamic guard on New Orleans' roster, and that should come to light in Vegas. -- Schmitz

Oklahoma City Thunder

Josh Giddey | Shooting Guard

All eyes will be on the 6-foot-8 Aussie playmaker, especially since the Thunder brass selected him over highly touted prospects like Kuminga, Davion Mitchell and James Bouknight. Given how comfortable he looked against Nigeria in an Olympic exhibition, the 18-year-old Giddey should have no problem standing out with his passing and all-around basketball IQ. We'll have a close eye on how Giddey looks as a shooter, perimeter defender and his ability to get to his spots against rangier defenders like he did in the NBL last season. -- Schmitz

Orlando Magic

Jalen Suggs | Shooting Guard

The Orlando Summer League roster is stacked in the backcourt with Suggs and 2020 first-round picks Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton. The last time we saw Suggs, he and his Gonzaga teammates fell just short of an undefeated season when they lost in the title game to Baylor after Suggs' game-winning 3 in the national semifinals against UCLA. Because of that run, Suggs might enter the NBA with more name recognition than any other rookie. -- Pelton

Philadelphia 76ers

Paul Reed | Small Forward

A contender for summer league MVP, Reed has produced everywhere he's gone. That was mostly in the G League last season, where the 2020 second-round pick won both MVP and Rookie of the Year honors. "B-Ball Paul" averaged 22.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. I'll be curious how Reed's 3-point form looks after he made them at a 44% clip in the G League on 54 attempts. -- Pelton

Phoenix Suns

Jalen Smith | Power Forward

Smith logged just 169 NBA minutes and 98 G League minutes last season, making this an important summer for the former No. 10 overall pick. Smith's length and floor spacing potential make him a great candidate to emerge as a rotation player for a competitive Suns team looking to tinker with last year's conference championship formula. We'll have a close eye on how his frame has developed, how his perimeter game has evolved and his ability to process the game quickly on both ends. -- Schmitz

Portland Trail Blazers

Nassir Little | Small Forward

With the Blazers in dire need of length and shooting around Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, this is an excellent opportunity for 21-year-old Little to prove he's worthy of a spot in the rotation after appearing in 51 games (12.4 minutes) last season. At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Little was always more of a long-term prospect when the Blazers selected him No. 25 overall in 2019. As he enters his third year in the NBA, Little needs to show more promise as a shooter (35% from 3), defender and decision-maker. -- Schmitz

Sacramento Kings

Davion Mitchell | Point Guard

If Mitchell can get to the rim at will, knock down pull-up 3s with range, dissect pick-and-roll coverages and defend with energy as he did at Baylor, executives who elected to pass on him might start to feel uneasy about their decision. Given his age and experience, don't be surprised to see Mitchell turn in a dominant Vegas performance. -- Schmitz

San Antonio Spurs

Devin Vassell | Shooting Guard

The Spurs are hoping to answer questions about Vassell during summer league. What type of player is the 20-year-old rangy wing? How has his body developed? Is he more comfortable with the NBA 3-point line after shooting just 34.7% from 3 last season? If the Spurs can truly pencil in Vassell as a 3-and-D wing alongside Keldon Johnson, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White, San Antonio's future becomes much more interesting. We'll also have a close eye on Josh Primo, the youngest player in the draft who crashed the lottery as the No. 12 overall pick. -- Schmitz

Toronto Raptors

Scottie Barnes | Small Forward

Summer league will be our first look at how the Raptors might use the versatile Barnes, who played point forward at Florida State and averaged 4.1 assists per game. The 6-foot-9 Barnes won't likely be a primary playmaker for a Raptors summer squad with second-year point guard Malachi Flynn, but the No. 4 pick will get plenty of opportunities to handle the ball and lock down on defense. -- Pelton

Utah Jazz

Elijah Hughes | Small Forward

After being hobbled by an ankle injury last season and shooting just 26% from 3 in 196 combined G League and NBA minutes, the No. 39 pick in the 2020 draft has an excellent opportunity to prove he's worthy of rotation minutes this upcoming season. Hughes is a big-bodied 6-foot-6 wing who led the ACC in scoring at Syracuse and could settle into a 3-and-D-style role if he's able to evolve into a knockdown shooter, while continuing to improve defensively. -- Schmitz

Washington Wizards

Corey Kispert | Small Forward

The depth the Wizards have added in the past eight days makes them less reliant on immediate contributions from Kispert, the No. 15 pick, but he'll surely get an opportunity as a rookie. The three-year starter at Gonzaga will be one of the best shooters in Las Vegas after making 91 3-pointers at a 44% clip as a senior. -- Pelton

[Old School]

CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/t...-summer-games/



The NBA announced that the Las Vegas Summer League game between the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards set to take place Sunday at 8 p.m. ET has been postponed due to health and safety protocols. The Wizards won't have enough available players to suit up due to ongoing contact tracing.

Per the NBA's statement:

"Because of ongoing contact tracing within the Wizards, the team does not have enough available players to proceed with tonight's game against the Pacers."

Washington announced Saturday that three players -- Cassius Winston, Issuf Sanon and Isaiah Todd -- all entered health and safety protocols. The Las Vegas Summer League just started on Aug. 8, after a year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been heightened health protocols put in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance, but it's impossible to completely eradicate the risk of COVID-19 without a bubble present.

The NBA learned that first hand during the 2020-21 season, with 31 games postponed over the course of the 72-games schedule due to health and safety protocols. In some cases, like with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, several consecutive games had to be rescheduled because there weren't enough players available to participate in the game. It appears the league is now facing that same issue with summer league, which isn't ideal on the first day after a year hiatus from the summer event.

While the Wizards-Pacers game is postponed, there will still be seven other games to tip off summer league on Sunday, starting with the Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks at 4 p.m. ET.

[Old School]

LAS VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE


TOP PERFORMERS

NBA.com https://www.nba.com/news/2021-summer...tandouts-day-4


GAME HIGHLIGHTS

NBA Video https://www.youtube.com/c/NBA/videos


GAME RESULTS

Indiana vs Washington (PPD)


Boston 85 Atlanta 83 https://www.nba.com/game/bos-vs-atl-...core#box-score


Toronto 89 New York 79 https://www.nba.com/game/tor-vs-nyk-...core#box-score


Portland 93 Charlotte 86 https://www.nba.com/game/por-vs-cha-...core#box-score


Houston 84 Cleveland 76 https://www.nba.com/game/hou-vs-cle-...core#box-score


Oklahoma City 76 Detroit 72 https://www.nba.com/game/okc-vs-det-...core#box-score


Miami 97 Denver 77 https://www.nba.com/game/den-vs-mia-...core#box-score


LA Lakers 73 Phoenix 72 https://www.nba.com/game/lal-vs-phx-...0008/box-score

[Old School]

NBA.com https://www.nba.com/news/second-year...e-in-las-vegas



Second-year players finally get the chance to shine in Las Vegas

The 2020 draft class is hitting the floor at Summer League for the first time after last year's edition was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“Don’t skip steps” is a coaching and NBA mantra, a constant reminder that doing work in the proper order is the surest way to build an individual’s game, his team or that team’s season.

Unfortunately, the Draft Class of 2020 skipped a huge step in their preparation for last season, through no fault of their own: For the rookies of 2020-21, there was no NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Shutdowns from the coronavirus pandemic blew right through what would have been the league’s traditional time to descend on this city for all manner of business, including the 10 days each July when newly drafted prospects get their first real tastes of life in the NBA.

Competition, strategies, team “culture,” bonding — all of it got scuttled as the globe quarantined itself. Heck, the NBA went on hiatus in March and didn’t rev up what was left of 2019-20 again until late July, well past the usual Draft and Summer League dates.

When they finally were drafted in November, the NBA’s shiny new hires had less than two weeks to sign their contracts, move to the city they’d call home and get to work at veterans’ training camp.

Strictly deep-end-of-the-pool stuff. Many swam. Some sank.

“We didn’t have this experience last year,” Detroit’s Saddiq Bey said Sunday. “I think it obviously could have helped us, because we would have had more game time. I think we’re trying to take it to be in the present moment and help us in the season to get better.”

Like college freshmen circling back to clean up an incomplete on their high school transcripts, Bey, several of his Pistons teammates and a bunch of 2020 draftees are Summer League newbies after their NBA rookie seasons. Five of the top 10 picks from 2020 and eight lottery selections overall are here.

And while it’s common for players heading into their second seasons to participate along with the true rookies, undrafted hopefuls and job-seeking veterans that fill their teams’ summer rosters, it’s highly unusual for them to be experiencing it for the first time.

Second-year Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley is getting his first taste of NBA Summer League.

“I was very curious,” New York forward Obi Toppin said about the experience and opportunity he and teammate Immanuel Quickley missed out on last summer. Both played 37 minutes in the Knicks’ opener against Toronto Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus.

“So far it’s been a great experience. We lost. But we learned today,” Toppin said.

Toppin scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Quickley — getting reps at point guard to build his decision-making — shot poorly (5-of-17) while finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

“Any time you have a chance to get better,” sad New York assistant coach Dice Yoshimoto, who handled the Knicks sideline Sunday while boss Tom Thibodeau and other Knicks brass sat across the court. “They are gym rats, both of them. Obi and Quick, they came right back after the end of the season. They started working. It’s a great opportunity for them.”

Other second-year players put their 2020-21 regular season experience to good use. Boston guard Payton Pritchard had 23 points and hit seven of his team’s 15 3-pointers. Cleveland wing Isaac Okoro scored 17 points against Houston. And Phoenix forward Jalen Smith, a veritable ghost last season despite being the No. 10 pick, scored 13 points in 24 minutes for the Suns’ entry.

Detroit lost to Oklahoma City in both teams’ openers but the Pistons had several second-year guys making their Vegas debuts. Bey finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Saben Lee scored nine points while guard Killian Hayes had six points, nine boards and five assists.

The Pistons were largely dependent on rookies last season, including forward Isaiah Stewart who will miss Vegas after suffering a foot injury playing with the U.S. Select Team that prepped the Olympic squad. And now they’ve added wing Cade Cunningham, the 2021 No. 1 pick from Oklahoma State.

Cunningham (12 points on 5-of-17 shooting, six rebounds in 26 minutes) drew the usual throng of interested media and fans to his first professional game Sunday. But he was surrounded in Detroit’s starting lineup by a fairly seasoned group by Summer League standards: Bey (70), Hayes (26), Tyler Cook (45) and Sekou Doumbouya (94) brought 235 games of NBA regular-season experience. Their OKC counterparts had a combined 84.

The Class of 2020 wasn’t the first to miss out on the summer schooling ahead of their NBA debuts. Previously, lockouts in 1999 and 2011 wiped out the orientation opportunities in Las Vegas, Orlando and elsewhere.

Both those years produced notable perennial All-Stars: Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter in ’99, with Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Isaiah Thomas and Nikola Vucevic in ’11. But how some of their peers might have fared with proper timelines and summer training never will be known.

Even this offseason, scrunched by about a month from the traditional NBA calendar, has 61 days from Draft to big-league camps. The 2020 version was all of 13 days.

“All of these guys have been working hard, but this is the first time we’ve played against another opponent,” said Toppin. “So having that opportunity to play with these guys on the court was fun, but we have a lot to improve on.”

Toppin, Quickley and Bey, like Stewart, were part of the Select Team workouts as well, another chance to polish games that arrived rather abruptly in December.

“I’ve put in a lot of work this summer, and I’ve had a lot of guys helping me out,” the Knicks forward said. “Players, coaches, everybody’s been helping me out. Watching film and just improving my game all around.”

Better late than never, as far as the Summer League experience.

“I don’t think you can put a price on the value of Summer League, preseason, September with guys getting together voluntarily and working out together,” said Pistons assistant J.D Dubois, handling Detroit’s team under coach Dwane Casey. “To miss that, I know that was a real disadvantage for a lot of guys who came into our league last year.

“This is going to be a huge growing step for our organization. … We talk a lot about gratitude. Guys being grateful for the opportunity to play this game. So for those guys to be here healthy and able to play together and grow together is huge.”