2024 NBA Las Vegas Summer League wrap up.

The Hoop Obsession NBA Summer League wrap up - By Bobby Gerould

July 25, 2024. The annual trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League was much like our past excursions but this time around there was virtually zero hype about seeing the top NBA Draft picks. It's true. The Class of 2024 rookies lack star power. There is not a Zion or a Wemby. Lakers fans were eager to see Bronny James but after the opening weekend, attendance was noticably down.

Our pilgramage to Las Vegas served as a powerful reminder of the irreplaceable value of witnessing and assessing prospects in real time. Watching players live, in-person, underscores a crucial distinction: special athletes are easier to spot in a live setting, while others, despite decent skills, may appear more ordinary.

After each Summer League, we reflect on standout performances and the insights gleaned from our nine-day stint in Las Vegas. It is essential to remember that Summer League provides only a limited snapshot of playing time. Most players logged between 60 to 100 minutes, with some reaching a maximum of 198 minutes. Generally, statistical basketball trends don't stabilize until around 300 minutes (a modest amount in itself). Therefore, it's wise to interpret Summer League statistics with caution. In our summaries, we emphasize data to inform our assessments, but we always stress the importance of melding careful observation with statistical insights in scouting.

The NBA officially announces an All-Summer League Team. Our selections, however, may diverge from theirs.

The Hoop Obsession All-Summer League Team:

MVP: Scotty Pippen Jr. - Memphis. Pippen was the rock that held the Grizzlies down as one of the best teams of the Summer League. They went 5-1 with Pippen running the show. He has clearly made strides as a small guard that will HAVE TO BE a point guard to truly succeed at the NBA level. Pippen had a 3.71-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in Las Vegas. He averaged 21.5 points (46% FG, 32% 3-pt., 86% FT), 5 rebounds, 3.3 steals, and 8.6 assists per game.

First Team: Pippen - Memphis, Josh Christopher - Miami, Jordan Miller - L.A. Clippers, G.G. Jackson - Memphis, Kel'el Ware - Miami.

Second Team: D.J. Steward - Chicago, Jaylon Tyson - Cleveland, Trey Alexander - Denver, Orlando Robinson - Houston, Leonard Miller - Minnesota.

LOTTERY Observations

The top 14 picks in the NBA Draft are known as “lottery picks.” Let’s examine how they performed.

Zaccharie Risacher - Atlanta. Risacher only played in two games for a total of 59 minutes. He shot 39.3% FG (11-28), and 25% from beyond the arc (4-16). He moved with a fluidity that offered promise but it may take the 19 year-old awhile to impact the NBA.

Alex Sarr - Washington. Sarr (photo below) was horribly inefficient. He shot 19% FG (not a typo!). Sarr played in four games and other than blocking shots (2.5 per game), he looked lost. His base is not strong enough to hold position in the paint, and his ability to run the floor and take opposing BIGs off the dribble never materialized in Las Vegas. He had a game where he was 0-15 FG. The sample size is small and Sarr is just a 19 year-old kid but I would be concerned if I'm a Wizards fan.

Reed Sheppard - Houston. Sheppard looked like a two-guard in a point guards body. He averaged 20 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 5.2 assists. He didn't shoot it well from deep (5-18 3-pt. FG, 27%), and he had only two more assists than turnovers. That stated, Sheppard's sense for being a play ahead on defense was evident. He has active, quick hands that were disruptive to opposing guards.

Stephon Castle - San Antonio. A right wrist sprain curtailed Castle's Las Vegas play. He appeared in only one game in L.V. He did play in two games in the California Classic, showing some scoring ability. Across his three total games, Castle averaged 17.3 points (37% FG, 25% 3-pt., 66% FT), 5.6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Ron Holland - Detroit. Holland (photo below) struggled with his deep shooting but he showed the creative play-making ability that makes him a promising prospect. Holland averaged 18.7 points (40.8% FG, 23.5% 3-pt. 65% FT), 6.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.

Tidjane Salaun - Charlotte. Salaun looked okay but far from special. He played in three games, averaging 9 points (42.3% FG, 10% 3-pt., 50% FT) and 7 rebounds. The 18 year-old from France is clearly going to need some extra time to impact the NBA in a positive way.

Donovan Clingan - Portland. Defensively, Clingan was as advertised. He blocked 17 shots in four games. He also rebounded well (12.2 per game). However, on offense, Clingan looked over-matched and often awkward. He only made 35.7% of his field goal attempts and 50% of his foul shots. All told, Clingan averaged 9 points per game.

Rob Dillingham - Minnesota. Questions about Dillingham's ability to play point guard were quelled as he posted a 2.23-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in Las Vegas. He shot the ball poorly however. Dillingham averaged 13.6 points (36% FG, 30.8% 3-pt., 54.5% FT), 4.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game.

Zach Edey - Memphis. Bad luck struck for Edey as he was held out of the first games in Las Vegas due to a turned ankle. Once he did return, he lasted all of eight minutes before rolling his ankle again. Edey did play one full game in Salt Lake City where he looked impressive. He had 14 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in a Grizzlies win.

Cody Williams - Utah. Williams continued to show the flashes that made him a top-ten pick. Among the lottery picks, Williams was one of only a couple who shot the ball well. He averaged 15 points (54.8% FG, 37.5% 3-pt., 88.9% FT) but only 3 rebounds per game.

Matas Buzelis - Chicago. Poor shooting plagued Buzelis in Las Vegas. He made just 33.7% of his field goal attempts, while bricking three-point shots at an alarming rate (6-28, 21.4%). His inefficiency was tempered somewhat by a handful of highlight dunks that offered glimpses of his athletic promise.

Nikola Topic - Oklahoma City. Topic (photo below) did not play. He is expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee that was suffered before the Draft. Topic will likely miss the entire 2024-25 season.

Devin Carter - Sacramento. Carter did not participate in any Summer league games. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to be re-evaluated in January 2025.

Bub Carrington - Washington. Carrington showed enough in Las Vegas to have Wizards fans smiling. He averaged 15.8 points (32.9% FG, 35.9% 3-pt., 86.4% FT), 7.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. He posted a 2.16-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Reaffirmations

Everyone enjoys being proven right. As someone who annually ranks players for the NBA Draft, it's satisfying to see a player excel whom you rated highly. It confirms your confidence in your evaluations and the key metrics you prioritize for winning basketball games. This summer, players who fit this description for us included:

Jordan Miller. L.A. Clippers. Miller was the best small forward playing in Las Vegas. His numbers were ridiculously good. The second year player from Miami averaged 25.4 points (54.9% FG, 60% 3-pt., 80.4% FT), and 3.8 rebounds. Miller is 24 years-old and boasts a 6'11.75" wingspan. It will be interesting to see if he can crack the Clippers regular season rotation.

Leonard Miller - Minnesota. Although he didn't shoot a good percentage from deep (30% 3-pt.) or at the line (60% FT), Miller looked to be progressing nicely in his second Summer League. He averaged 16 points, and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 50.7% FG.

Karlo Matkovic - New Orleans. I thought Matkovic was the Pelicans best player. The 23 year-old, 6'11" big man played just 18 minutes per game but he scored 10.7 points per outing. He made just 2 of his 7 three-point attempts but he clearly has range and touch. He made 87.5% of his free throw attempts. Matkovic signed a three-year deal with the Pelicans during Summer League.

Moses Brown - Lakers. Brown instantly made the Lakers summer team better. He shot 54% FG and blocked 1.5 shots per game. You can't teach 7'2". While his feel for the game is poor, he remains efficient due to his rebounding, shot-blocking and ability to score as a dunker/vertical-lob threat.

Jaden Springer - Boston. Springer (photo below) again showed that he is a skilled and determined scorer. He only appeared in two games in Las Vegas, averaging 19 points on great shooting (56.5% FG, 50% 3-pt.). He made all eight of his foul shots too. Springer dished eight assists with only two turnovers. He is still just 21 years-old with plenty of time to mature his scoring mentality.

Josh Christopher - Miami. Christopher was the Las Vegas Summer League's choice for MVP of the Championship game. He made timely shots and impressed us with his more accurate shooting from deep (21-40 3-pt., 52.5%). Christopher averaged 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He stills need to share it more.

Revelations

Every Summer League introduces players who catch our attention as NBA prospects. Whether previously overlooked or unseen in live action, this July was no different. Here are six prospects who weren't prominent on our radar before Summer League 2024 but now deserve close monitoring:

Keaton Wallace - Atlanta. He went undrafted in 2021 after a four-year career at Texas San Antonio. Wallace looked good in Vegas, doing just about everything well except for making free throws. Wallace averaged 14.8 points (48.1% FG, 43.8% 3-pt., 58.8% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 6 assists per game. The Hawks rewarded Wallace with a two-way contract.

Taylor Funk - Washington. Funk was undrafted in 2023. He is a 26 year-old, 6'8" sharp-shooter from Utah State. In Vegas, Funk had defenses stretching, making 16 of his 35 three-point attempts (45.7% 3-pt.)

Quenton Jackson - Indiana. Undrafted in 2022, Jackson played in his third Summer League. He scored 11 points per game this time around, while shooting the ball extremely well (62.5% FG, 45.5% 3-pt.). The 6'5" guard saw three games of real NBA action with the Pacers in 2023-24.

Donovan Williams - San Antonio. Williams was right at home playing at UNLV, where he played his 2021-22 college season (after two years at Texas). The 22-year-old wing averaged 11 points (50% FG, 60% 3-pt., 77.3% FT) and 4 rebounds this Summer, playing just 18 minutes per game.

Miles Norris - Atlanta. Norris didn't get a ton of minutes (18.5 per game) but he looked good each time he saw the court. He went undrafted in 2023 (UCSB). He is a 6'10" forward that played last season for the Hawks' G-League team. Norris made 7 of his 18 three-point attempts (38.9%) in Vegas.

James Banks - Charlotte. Banks is an under-sized BIG in height only. At 6'10", 250 lbs., he is hard to move down low. Banks blocked two shots per game and generally held his own in the paint. His offensive-rebounding was impressive. Banks is 26 years-old.

View Changers

Players are capable of improvement. Conversely, those who impressed in a game or two you observed can also display a different side in a negative light. The dedicated individuals striving to turn their weaknesses into strengths are what make basketball scouting such a dynamic endeavor. Each summer brings a few prospects who cause us to reassess our evaluations. This time, they included:

Tristan Da Silva - Orlando. Da Silva was among the most well-known, safe picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. What I didn't realize enough was how fluidly he moves on the court. If I was "meh" prior to the Draft about his prospects in the NBA, I can now say that I wish I would have ranked him a bit higher.

Jaylon Tyson - Cleveland. Tyson's skill level is higher than I thought. He was a high-usage player at Cal and he was a high-usage player in Summer League but he clearly showed that he has a deep bag that allows him to dribble, pass and shoot. Tyson shot 58.8% FG, 40% 3-pt., and 91.7% FT in Las Vegas.

Matt Morgan - Charlotte. We knew Matt Morgan could shoot and score. We didn't realize how proficient he has become. Now 26 years-old, Morgan showed he needed just a sliver of space to get off his accurate jump shot. Morgan averaged 17.7 points while making 14 of 25 (56%) three-point shots. He scored 36 points on the second Friday of play in Las Vegas.

Moussa Diabate - L.A. Clippers. We are giving an up-tick to Diabate after seeing his maturing frame and game in Las Vegas. He was among the best dozen BIGs, averaging 12 points (64% FG, 91.7% FT), and 7.4 rebounds. He is now 22 years-old.

Dariq Whitehead - Brooklyn. Whitehead struggled mightily in Las Vegas. While we previously viewed him as a high upside project that was trying to overcome an injury, we now view him as simply a project. Whitehead made just 6 of 41 field goal attempts (14.6% FG).

Jalen Pickett - Denver. We were really high on Pickett in the 2023 Draft. We loved his old-school game. What we saw this Summer in Vegas, however, was not it. In four games, Pickett shot 20.8% FG, and 12.5% 3-pt.

Statistical standouts.
80 minutes minimum.

Rebounds per minute: Yauhen Massalski - Spurs .601, Donovan Clingan - Blazers .482, Oscar Tshiebwe - Pacers .465, Tolu Smith - Pistons .408, Dmytro Skapintsev - Knicks .402

Assist-to-turnover ratio: Caleb Daniels - Heat 11-to-1, John Butler - Wizards 6-to-1, Taylor Funk - Wizards 6-to-1, Trhae Mitchell 6-to1, Cole Swider - Heat 5-to-1, Tyler Kolek - Knicks 5-to-1, Jalen Bridges - Suns 5-to-1.

Points per minute: Jordan Miller - Clippers .906, Matt Morgan - Hornets .836, Bryce McGowens - Blazers .788, Kevin Knox - Warriors .749, Dmytro Skapintsev - Knicks .746

Blocked shots per minute: Donovan Clingan - Blazers .167, Branden Carlson - Raptors .117, Adem Bona - Sixers .114, Alex Sarr - Wizards .084, James Huff - Magic .083

Three-point percentage (15 attempts minimum): Jordan Miller - Clippers 12-20 60%, Jamison Battle - Raptors 9-15 60%, Tristan DaSilva - Magic 10-17 58.8%, Matt Morgan - Hornets 14-25 56%, Adam Flagler - Thunder 10-18 55.6%.

Free throw attempts per minute: Judah Mintz - Sixers .345, Jordan Miller - Clippers .328, Bryce McGowens - Blazers .313, Ricky Council IV - Sixers .295, Daishen Nix - Wolves .283

Notes, observations, signings

One of the first games we caught featured the Cleveland Cavaliers and their second year player Emoni Bates. He impressed us again with his ability to get buckets. He was quickly reminded by his coach, Jordan Ott that the transition from a successful score to playing defense has to be more urgent. ...Jett Howard showed me some extra athleticism that I didn't realize he possessed. The second year Orlando Magic player has an extra gear for sure. His teammate in Vegas, Jay Huff signed a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies following the Vegas run. ...DaRon Holmes suffered a right Achilles tear on the first day of play. The Denver Nuggets first round pick in 2024 will most likely miss the entire season. ...David Jones signed a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76'ers. Jones is a gifted scorer that plays hard. He needs to improve his ability and willingness to share the ball. Jeff Dowtin, one of the best at sharing, also inked a two-way contract with Philly. ...It was crazy to see how thin Milwaukee Bucks draft pick, A.J. Johnson is. He had some effective runs in Vegas despite his massive size disadvantage. ...Keshad Johnson only played in three games but his athleticism popped! He had one buzzer-beating length of the court transition push for a Miami dunk that had fans shaking their heads in awe! D.J. Steward, one of our favorite minor league prospects, was signed by the Chicago Bulls to a two-way contract following Summer League. ...The Warriors added Daeqwon Plowden as a two-way player.

They played well in limited limits.

There are numerous factors influencing a player's playing time in Summer League. Some may have been lower on the team's depth chart, others sidelined due to injuries that cut short their Summer League stint unexpectedly. Additionally, some players were deliberately rested by their teams. Despite these circumstances, players who logged less than 80 minutes overall deserve recognition for making the most of their opportunities and showcasing their skills effectively.

The top 15 in Hoop Obsession Calculation (HOC) among players that played at least 40 minutes but less than 80 minutes: Neemias Queta - Celtics 1.004, Jaime Jaquez Jr. - Heat .892, Jahmi'us Ramsey - Raptors .883, Nathan Mensah - Spurs .833, Isaiah Wong - Suns .829, Trayce Jackson-Davis - Warriors .725, Trevor Keels - Rockets .702, Karlo Matkovic - Pelicans .700, Moses Brown - Lakers .697, Brandin Podziemski - Warriors .695, Jaden Springer - Celtics .693, Isaiah Whaley - Mavs .692, Theo Maledon - Magic .674, Darius Brown - Cavs .646, Jayce Johnson - Pistons .645.

Sacramento Kings Summer Observations

Keon Ellis had one really good game and two forgettable ones in Las Vegas. He only earned five trips to the free throw line in 96 minutes. Overall, in three games, Ellis shot 40% FG, and 31% 3-pt. He played his trademark, hard-nosed defense but never hit a great stride on offense.

Colby Jones really struggled. He shot 35.6% FG, 21.7% 3-pt., and 55.6% FT in five games. He ranked 274th (of 300 qualified) in Hoop Obsession Calculation for Las Vegas action.

Drew Timme had good moments offensively for the Kings. He remains an under-sized pivot that has pristine footwork in the post. He shot 63% FG in Vegas. Despite some nifty post passes, Timme finished with three more turnovers than assists. He still shoots a very flat and inaccurate three-ball (1-7 3-pt., 14%) and defensively he is over-matched more often than not. If the day ever comes that Timme can make 35% of his three-point shots, he may find a role in the NBA as a FOUR.

I like Mason Jones. Always have. But I do not EVER want to see him play point guard again. It's not that Jones doesn't have good vision. He does. However, he is easily sped-up and his handles and poor balance when he plays too fast are not a winning recipe. That said, Jones is a solid two-guard. He is always aggressive, putting pressure on opposing defenses. He made 7 of 20 three-point shots (35%), and he was money at the line (15 of 16, 93%). Jones deserves credit too for losing 30 lbs. and getting himself into the best shape of his athletic career.

Boogie Ellis impressed us with his desire to compete. He never took a play off on defense and showed that he can score. Boogie made 10 of his 20 three-point shots (50%) in Las Vegas. In a small sample size, we thought he clearly outplayed Colby Jones.

Jo Lual-Acuil, a 30-year-old Australian Center seemingly made the Kings summer team better each time was on the floor. The former Baylor player hit the boards, and blocked shots at a solid rate.

Isaac Jones, the rookie from Washington State, looked good as a two-dribble driver from the mid-post. We like his 7'3" wingspan and although he made just 2 of 9 three-point shots (22%), he looked very comfortable shooting it from the corner. Jones made 14 of 18 free throws (77.8%).

Fitting in seamlessly, Isaiah Crawford looked very much like a glue-guy with a high skill level (52% FG, 60% 3-pt.) in most aspects of the game. We only wish he was more aggressive.

In conclusion

The annual Las Vegas basketball extravaganza is a must for dedicated fans of the sport. Personally, it's an event I eagerly anticipate every year. There's no better way to immerse yourself in the game than experiencing it live, and the NBA Las Vegas Summer League offers the opportunity to catch parts of up to eight games in a single day.

For those planning ahead, keep an eye out for airfare deals and consider booking early for the 2025 event. Traditionally, it tips off the first or second Friday after the 4th of July.

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