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With eight NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas today, the slate is loaded with young players hungry to prove themselves, including Liam McNeeley of the Charlotte Hornets.

McNeeley's matchup against the struggling Milwaukee Bucks is among the games headlining our NBA Summer League picks for Wednesday, July 15.

NBA Summer League predictions for July 15

Pick
Hornets moneyline	-194
Celtics moneyline	-133
Spurs moneyline	+133
💰 All three parlayed	+519

Today's Summer League picks

Hornets moneyline (-194 at Kalshi)

The Milwaukee Bucks are one of just two teams yet to win an NBA Summer League game in Sin City. It's been a tough go for a young Bucks lineup that's been outscored 304 to 254 across three games.

The Bucks now take on a Charlotte Hornets team that's shown plenty of promise in Las Vegas, thanks to Liam McNeeley (65 points in 81 minutes). Last year's first-round pick has been one of the hottest hands in NBA Summer League, hitting 52.6% from behind the arc.

With McNeeley and rookie first-round pick Christian Anderson Jr. providing sharpshooting on the outside, while Hannes Steinbach and Ryan Kalkbrenner own the paint, Milwaukee is going to struggle to keep up with Charlotte.

The Bucks are shooting just 39.6% from the floor and 64.1% from the free-throw line in Vegas.

Celtics moneyline (-133 at Kalshi)

The Sacramento Kings have lost their last two NBA Summer League games by 51 points, and it's becoming increasingly clear that if rookie Darius Acuff Jr.'s shot isn't falling, the team is in trouble.

His shot has not been falling lately, with the No. 7 pick shooting 36.5% from the floor and 26.3% from three in Vegas. And since the Kings played last night, there's also a chance Acuff sees limited minutes tonight.

That spells trouble for the Kings, with the Boston Celtics' Summer League lineup featuring so much length and athleticism. Dillon Mitchell (39 points in 79 minutes), Chris Cenac Jr. (32 points in 68 minutes), and Hugo Gonzalez (31 points in 70 minutes) should create problems for Sacramento's frontcourt.

Boston also has steady guard play coming from Milos Uzan (24 points and 15 assists in 85 minutes) and John Tonje (42 points in 74 minutes), something the Kings lack.

Spurs moneyline (+133 at Kalshi)

Why are the Utah Jazz favorites tonight? It must be because of No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, who didn't play in Utah's lone win in Las Vegas.

While Peterson's numbers have popped in Vegas (47 points in 56 minutes), his shooting has been unimpressive (33.3% from the floor, 30% from three). That won't cut it against a San Antonio Spurs Summer League roster predominantly made up of high-upside defenders.

San Antonio has allowed just 222 points in three games, thanks in large part to the length and physicality of its lineup, with players like Carter Bryant, Tarris Reed Jr., and Maliq Brown. Those three have helped the Spurs rack up 10 steals and 7.3 blocks per game.

And the speedy guard duo of Ja'Kobi Gillespie (39 points in 74 minutes) and RJ Davis (37 points in 72 minutes) can provide enough offense for the Spurs to secure a third win.

Wednesday’s NBA Summer League parlay

Hornets moneyline

Celtics moneyline

Spurs moneyline

+519 at Kalshi

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

LAS VEGAS — The first time that Neemias Queta showed up in Las Vegas for Summer League was in July of 2021.

Donning a Sacramento Kings uniform, the then-21-year-old began what would end up being a long fight for a spot in the NBA. After being drafted in the second round by Sacramento, he tallied 5 points and 4.5 rebounds across five games in that first summer, while showing signs he could eventually become an NBA player.

At the same time, there was also no guarantee.

Queta would go on to play in three more Summer Leagues after that first one, two with the Kings and one with the Celtics. There were moments in which he was the most dominant player on the floor. But there were also moments of heartbreak, such as getting cut by the Kings and finding himself back at square one.

But last week, when Queta walked into the Celtics’ Summer League practice, everything was dramatically different.

The 7-footer was just a few days removed from signing the biggest contract of his career, a 4-year, $56 million extension that keeps him in Boston long-term — and gives him life-changing money. At the Celtics’ first Summer League practice, he appears as a special guest, there to get in an individual workout with assistant coach Tony Dobbins, among others.

He greeted some of the current Celtics players, players who are fighting for their NBA lives, just as he once was. And, upon entering the University of Las Vegas gym, he shook hands with Joe Mazzulla, the same coach who sometimes reams him out from the sidelines, but also travelled to Portugal this summer to learn more about his childhood and upbringing, an experience Queta described as ‘surreal.’

“I couldn’t be happier to be in Boston for much more time,” Queta said. “It’s my home, so I’m excited for the future.”

In the Celtics Summer League opener, he sat on the sidelines as a spectator for the very first time, cheering on the Summer League Celtics alongside teammates Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, and Jordan Walsh.

“It’s been a long time,” Queta said. “I’ve been wishing for something like that to happen, and [it] coming down in this moment is really special.

White said he was overjoyed when he found out Queta earned his payday. The two have been teammates since 2023, and began to more extensively share the court last season.

“I was super happy for him,” White said. “Obviously, going into last year, everybody had a lot of questions about what he could do, and I think he proved a lot of people wrong. And so I’m super happy; obviously well-deserved. I texted him congrats, and it’s good to see him not here now. He’s got a couple extra dollars in his pockets.”

Queta said he always felt this type of long-term guarantee was possible, and that his inner belief never wavered, even when his on-court opportunities did. Last year, he went from being the team’s fourth-string center to their starting one.

“I think it’s more about having the trust in yourself, and belief, and work ethic that, eventually, everything will work itself out,” he said. “But I think once I figured out I’d be starting, and [be] able to play meaningful minutes night in and night out, I think it was —not pretty determined that it would come — but with the amount of work and the help that my teammates put in, I felt like it would eventually come up.”

Neemias Queta eyes another big role next season

Next year, Neemias Queta will share the center position with marquee free agency signing Mitchell Robinson, as well as Luka Garza.

He doesn’t know how those minutes will divvy up: “Joe’s the boss”, Queta said with a smile.

Regardless, he’s excited to see how he and Robinson can push one another, and make one another better.

“A lot of boxing out at practice,” Queta said. “We’re going to both crash a lot. We’re going to teach each other a little bit of what we do best, and I’ll just be positive. I’ve heard he’s a really positive guy and a really fun guy to be around, and I can’t wait to do that.”

The Michigan men’s basketball program currently has 12 representatives on NBA Summer League rosters. These players range from 2026 lottery picks to players a few years older who are fighting for an opportunity. With each team a few games into the Summer League, here’s how each Wolverine is currently performing.

F Morez Johnson Jr, Dallas Mavericks

Johnson has proven to be worth a lottery pick and then some for the Mavericks. He’s scoring 18.5 points (admittedly through just two games), grabbing 6.5 rebounds and blocking three shots per game. His Summer League debut in particular was incredibly impressive.

C Aday Mara, Oklahoma City Thunder

Mara has struggled in the early goings of the Summer League. Fortunately, there is plenty of time to improve. Through two games, he’s scoring just six points per game, but the playmaking is still there as he’s dishing out 2.5 assists in 24 minutes per game. The scoring touch will come in time.

F Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors

Lendeborg has also flashed potential to be a breakout star. The boisterous forward has made quite a few headlines with his interview of Johnson and shenanigans with Mara. However, his play on the court can’t be overlooked, as he is averaging 17.5 points, six rebounds and five assists per game.

G Roddy Gayle Jr., Detroit Pistons

Gayle has not missed a single shot yet in the Summer League. Yes, you read that correctly. He is shooting 100 percent from the field through two games. After going undrafted, Gayle is just looking to secure a contract from either the Detroit Pistons or another franchise. Ten points per game and a flawless shooting percentage is a great start for him.

G Nimari Burnett, Toronto Raptors

Burnett signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Toronto in hopes of getting a full or two-way contract down the line. He has struggled to find his shooting stoke just yet, as he’s just 11 percent from beyond the arc through three Summer League games. However, he is still scoring 9.3 points per game and had this nice dunk we’ve seen a time or two in Ann Arbor.

F Danny Wolf, Brooklyn Nets

Wolf had a decent first year in the NBA with the Nets, despite the team itself being horrible. Brooklyn opted to have Wolf go back to the Summer League for a second year. Early results are promising, as he is averaging 14.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Wolf will look to establish himself as part of the Nets’ core moving forward.

C Vladislav Goldin, Miami Heat

Goldin was on a two-way contract with Miami during his rookie year and is primed to do so yet again. He isn’t setting the world on fire in the Summer League, but his game also doesn’t always stuff the stat sheet. He is averaging eight points, 6.3 rebounds and two blocks per game. Goldin is still a bit unpolished at the NBA level, so it will be fascinating to see how he fits in with the Heat.

G Tre Donaldson, Miami Heat

After transferring from Michigan to Miami last offseason, Donaldson went undrafted before being scooped up by the Heat. He’s off to a fast start, as he is averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists per game. More importantly, he’s showing an improved effort on the defensive end. Donaldson is still a ways away from a full roster spot, but he’s turned some heads in the Summer League.

C Tarris Reed Jr., San Antonio Spurs

After being drafted in the first round last month, Reed was immediately traded to the Spurs. Through two games, he’s scoring just 9.5 points but is also collecting 9.5 rebounds per game. Averaging nearly a double-double will turn some heads at the Summer League.

G Kobe Bufkin, New Orleans Pelicans

Bufkin is one of the oldest players participating this summer, as he’s still working to make a name for himself at the NBA level. He has played incredible, as Bufkin is averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. He’s in the top-15 of all Summer League participants in scoring.

C Hunter Dickinson, New Orleans Pelicans

Somehow only going into Year 2 in the NBA, Dickinson returned to the Pelicans’ Summer League squad this offseason. The big man is scoring 13.3 points while hauling in 5.7 rebounds per game. He recently signed a two-way contract with New Orleans, so he will hope to play more than the five games he did last year.

C Colin Castleton, Orlando Magic

I debated whether to include Castleton on this list or not. I leaned in favor, as he did in fact spend a full season in Ann Arbor. He is on a two-way contract with Orlando and was a bit of a surprise to be sent to the Summer League given his age (26). He had a great performance against Portland followed by a few underwhelming appearances.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers
Date: July 15th, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM CDT
Location: Cox Pavilion
Television Coverage: Prime Video

It has been a cruel summer for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Las Vegas. The team arrived with a few intriguing prospects, a little developmental optimism, and the modest hope that somebody might seize the moment, only to spend consecutive nights getting run out of the gym by opponents who look faster, sharper, and far more prepared to play basketball after 10 p.m.

After opening their Summer League schedule with a promising victory over New Orleans, the Wolves have lost two straight games to the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers. The Denver defeat was uninspiring enough, but Monday night’s late encounter with Portland was the performance that really drained whatever remaining energy existed around this group. Minnesota fell by 27 points in a game that was not exactly the reward Wolves fans deserved for staying awake deep into a July night to evaluate second-round picks and developmental big men.

While I’m not sure he has the gravity to swing a game by 27 points, the Wolves were definitely feeling the absence of Joan Beringer. Beringer entered Summer League as the most important player on Minnesota’s roster, and his opening performance against New Orleans only strengthened that belief. The 18th overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, looking stronger, more comfortable, and considerably closer to NBA readiness than he appeared during much of his rookie season. It was exactly the sort of performance Wolves fans hoped to see from a second-year player who now finds himself much closer to meaningful minutes than anyone could have anticipated a few months ago.

His back tightness has prevented him from participating in the last two games, and his availability for Minnesota’s finale against the Indiana Pacers the largest question hanging over the game. If Beringer can return, the Wolves will get one final opportunity to evaluate whether his impressive debut represented a genuine developmental leap rather than one strong July performance. More importantly, he could restore some basic structure to a team that has looked increasingly lost without him.

Beringer is not the only player worth monitoring. Roko Zikarsky continues to receive an opportunity to show whether his combination of size and shooting can eventually translate into a useful NBA role. Minnesota could desperately use a big who can stretch the floor, provide competent defensive minutes, and keep the entire frontcourt from collapsing whenever Gobert heads to the bench. Zikarsky has not yet produced the kind of performance that forces anyone to redesign the regular-season rotation, but that is why these games exist. He remains a developmental player trying to turn theoretical tools into repeatable production.

Isaiah Evans will also receive another chance to settle into professional basketball after an uneven beginning to his Summer League career. The 33rd overall pick was forced to wait for the completion of the LaMelo Ball transaction before becoming eligible to play, and struggled to find his rhythm since joining the team.

The finale against Indiana therefore offers less of a referendum and more of a final collection of clues. Can Beringer return and once again look like the most advanced prospect on the roster? Can Zikarsky provide some of the size and spacing Minnesota suddenly needs? Can Evans put together his most confident performance of the week and leave Las Vegas with something positive to build upon?

The Wolves also have a chance to finish Summer League with a 2-2 record, which would not mean very much in the grand NBA hierarchy but would at least prevent the week from ending with three consecutive defeats. There is something psychologically cleaner about leaving Las Vegas at .500, even when everyone involved knows these games are primarily glorified auditions. Nobody is planning a parade for a Summer League victory over Indiana, but nobody particularly enjoys getting embarrassed three nights in a row either.

The Canis Hoopus comments section will be open and ready for anyone interested in dissecting every Beringer rebound, Zikarsky jumper, or Evans possession. There may even be room for a little England-versus-Argentina banter as well.

The mid-July trap is in full effect. The cool air pumps through the Thomas & Mack Center, stakes are non-existent, and our brains begin their annual trick of convincing us that an undrafted point guard is John Stockton’s second coming.

Truthfully, 90% of what takes place in Summer League is a hoax. Massive point-getters barely crack the NBA roster if they get their name on it at all. However, while box scores are about as real as The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, there are translatable NBA skills that provide reasons for excitement. Yes, New York’s summer league squad looks a bit disjointed and unimpressive. Still, one massive bright spot shines through in the form of our latest second-round draft haul.

Tyler Nickel possesses translatable skills, and they’re exactly what the Knicks’ roster needs most.

Plopping his current summer league performance on top of an impressive college resume, Nickel is getting Knicks fans all sorts of giddy. The most exciting part is that he brings very real value to the court.

To fully understand Nickel’s value, we first have to understand that he is not just a guy standing in the corner looking to capitalize on a drive-and-kick. Instead, he is a pure movement shooter. Massive mechanical differences exist between a static spot-up shooter and someone who can sprint off a screen, catch the ball on the move, position himself correctly, and fire away. Nickel’s release demonstrates both quickness and confidence. Observing his off-ball sprinting brings back memories of a young Kyle Korver.

Nickel proved his shooting value at Vanderbilt. Connecting on 40% of his three-pointers while averaging over 7 attempts per game is staggering. If you need further proof of his elite shooting, remember that he shot 66.9% across all shooting drills at the NBA Draft Combine. That ranked him eighth among all prospects.

This matters a great deal for the Knicks right now. Ever since they traded away Donte DiVincenzo, the offense has lacked Nickel’s brand of defense-bending floor spacing. New York’s offense operates at a whole different level when a movement shooter is present and constantly exhausting his defender. Players of this ilk are of the high-gravity class. If Nickel sprints full speed around a screen, the defense panics. If two defenders address the perimeter to deny him the ball, massive driving lanes open up, and undoubled post-ups become available. Mike Brown’s system demands this kind of gravity to prevent the paint from clogging. Nickel fits the geometry of that system perfectly.

Nickel’s quiet outing Monday against the Pistons cannot go completely ignored. Unable to create much of anything, the physical Detroit defenders successfully bumped him off his spots. In reality, this kind of experience is far from a bad thing.

The Pistons played a defense anchored in physicality, aggressively top-locking Nickel to deny him the ball. He needs to learn to counter that level of physical play and set better back screens when defenders overplay him. Of course, it is ideal that he learns how to survive an NBA-level physical assault in July rather than during the regular season.

Away from his offensive strengths, Nickel is not a tiny, unplayable defensive liability. Measuring at 6’6″ with a 6’8.5″ wingspan and a 217-pound frame, he has legitimate NBA wing size. Digging into his college games, there is a fantastic defensive outing from the 2026 SEC Tournament. Guarding Tennessee’s Nate Ament, Nickel put him in a blender, locking him down to an awful 1-for-13 shooting night. Combine that with his off-court intangibles, like studying the playbook in the airport and already earning a stamp of approval from veterans like Josh Hart. You have a prospect who already possesses the make-up of a player ready to call Madison Square Garden his home.

The financial constraints of this roster are no secret. Leon Rose operates with the mandate of staying below that frightful second apron. Finding and developing cheap, ready-to-play talent is now mandatory. Nickel currently fights for one of the remaining two-way contracts, but his highly specialized skill set makes him a dark horse to crack the roster and potentially find a role in the rotation.

The Houston Rockets’ core is centered around Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, arguably the two best players they have drafted in this current era of the franchise.

Shang-Goon has already been an All-Star twice in his five NBA seasons, and Thompson has earned some consideration for being one of the league’s top defenders. Bleacher Report writer Andy Bailey believes Sengun and Thompson are among the top 30 players in the league when 2030 arrives.

“Sengun could take a little better care of the ball. His jump shot and the touch on some of those adventurous finishing attempts need improvement. Defensive mobility may never get better, but his awareness can. If he does zero in and make those improvements, several more All-Star appearances are likely on the way,” Bailey wrote of Sengun.

“Thompson’s athleticism can be genuinely shocking. He already uses it to great effect on the defensive end. If he spends the next four years figuring out how to do so on the other, Thompson could be a perennial All-NBA contender,” Bailey added.

While the Rockets have flirted with the idea of trading one of these players to get better sooner, the team has to trust that they can carry Houston for the next several years. With Sengun’s IQ leading the way on offense and Thompson’s tenacity charging the defense, the Rockets have elite playmakers that can keep them in the contender conversation for years to come.

By 2030, if both players are still with the Rockets, they should be one of the best teams in the NBA.

Impressive Yaxel Lendeborg stat shows Warriors rookie's summer league dominance originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors knew Yaxel Lendeborg would be an immediate contributor when they selected him No. 11 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the rookie forward already is proving them correct on the NBA Summer League court.

As shared by Logan Adams on X, Lendeborg leads all NBA rookies this summer with a 15.9 BPM, or Box Plus/Minus, which estimates a basketball player’s contribution to the team when that player is on the court based only on the information in the traditional basketball box score — no play-by-play data or non-traditional box score data is included, per Basketball Reference.

Not only is Lendeborg’s BPM the highest this summer, but the highest summer league BPM of all time, per Adams.

To put the Warriors rookie’s mark of 15.9 into perspective, a 0.0 BPM is considered league average. A 2.0 BPM is a good starter, 4.0 is NBA All-Star caliber, 6.0 is All-NBA, 8.0 would be an MVP-level season and 10.0 is an all-time campaign. In the words of Basketball Reference, “think peak [Michael] Jordan or LeBron [James].”

In five summer league games, Lendeborg is averaging 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per contest. His versatility as a scorer and defender makes him a perfect match for a Warriors team that has no time to waste, general manager Mike Dunleavy explained to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin during Golden State’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

“I think he seems like a seamless fit in how you can play, both offensively and defensively,” Dunleavy told McMenamin. “He is playing with our summer league team right now, but as we transition with the veteran team, we think he’ll be able to fit right in and contribute. Having a guy of his stature, experience level, size — all of that stuff is going to bode well for us.”

Only time will tell if Lendeborg’s Jordan-esque BPM will translate to the regular season once he’s on the floor with seasoned pros.

But as of right now, the Warriors certainly love what they see.

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Shouts out to the animal lovers in the comments. You make our jobs easier. Here’s today’s list of links and notes for you to enjoy.

• Per HoopsRumors, Jordan Clarkson waived the trade-veto rights he would normally receive after re-signing with the Knicks on a one-year deal. No, Clarkson is not getting traded tomorrow, but this concession could prove key mid-season when/if the Knicks need someone to match salaries or find the final piece to complete the back-to-back-champions puzzle. Are all Filipinos this charming?
• The Knicks might still be searching for another center, but we’re starting to lose it with the targets, aren’t we?
• CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn went much bigger and shared his “ultra aggressive backup center idea” for the Knicks ahead of next season. Can you guess the target? Tip: in Quinn’s estimation, it’d take sending a 2032 swap and a 2033 unprotected first the other way.
• Former St. John’s standout and SummerKnick guard Oziyah Sellers talked to the New York Post’s Zach Braziller and spoke highly of both the Red Storm and Knicks organizations, among many other things. Worth the read, here’s a tease:

“Coming from St. John’s, I feel like we had that same mentality. We wanted to win really bad. It wasn’t too hard of a transition mindset-wise. Two kinds of similar programs in terms of mindset. It’s definitely something you have to bring every day.

“Obviously, being at St. John’s we play pretty much all our home games at the Garden. So I feel like we have a lot of the same fanbase. Knicks fans, a lot of them are St. John’s fans. It’s kind of like a perfect fit, transitioning right to the Knicks. I’m just grateful for it, for sure.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Isaiah De Los Santos has seen enough from Jack Kayil to think the Knicks might have no excuse not to sign him.
• Adam Silver washed his hands and clarified that the NBA did not pause the Kawhi trade. Silver claims the very own Raptors and Clippers chose not to complete it while the investigation remains open.
• Silver also defended the second apron, saying the roster disruption is an intended consequence of it and that the system is creating competition across the league.

“It’s certainly not an unintended consequence… the purpose of this system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league and from that standpoint I think the system’s working incredibly well. The goal isn’t necessarily to have a different champion every year but we’ve had 8 different champions over the last 8 years”

• Kevin Durant spent part of Tuesday doing what he does best, no burner accounts needed.
• Bronny James’ future with the Lakers is reportedly not automatically tied to father LeBron, reports The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Shocker! Bryce, warm up.
• The Kawhi Leonard investigation has expanded beyond the original Aspiration sponsorship issue. Investigators have examined whether the Clippers paid expenses for Leonard without reimbursement and whether he had another undisclosed endorsement agreement. Remember, Kawhi is an in-limbo Clipper with the Raptors left out in the cold for now.
• Spain beat France 2-0 at the World Cup.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We are now three games into the Vegas Summer League, with the fourth coming tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. One of the main drawcards that had fans excited to watch the Summer Bucks in Vegas was that we’d get to watch Kasparas Jakucionis and Nate Ament—both acquired from Miami in the Giannis trade—play in Bucks colours for the very first time.

Granted, it’s extremely early and there’s context to consider, but neither player has lit the world on fire so far. Jakucionis has struggled to finish at the rim and turned it over far too frequently, while Ament has looked unable to handle NBA physicality even at the Summer League level. And don’t get me wrong, I’m nowhere near ready to give up on either player, especially as they are just 20 and 19 years old. That said, I can’t say I wasn’t expecting more.

Therefore, we wanted to put it to you, the fans: have your feelings changed about the Giannis trade package after seeing parts of it in action?

First things first: this sort of question tends to generate answers based on one of two perspectives: what we as fans would prefer for our own viewing pleasure versus what we as fans think is the best outcome for one of our own. Both are valid perspectives, up to a point.

Last season as a rookie, Powell demonstrated the athleticism, skills, and grit to defend at the NBA level, a major reason he landed in the NBA Draft’s first round at pick 22. Everyone knew, and Drake embraced, the need to develop an offensive skill set that would force NBA defenses in turn to respect him on the other end of the floor. As a rookie, he averaged 21 minutes in 63 appearances, contributing 6.5 points with 47.3% eFG%. Drake shot 28% from three last season on 182 attempts, mostly as a spot-up threat.

As a result of that backdrop, Powell entered Summer League play with attention focused on his offensive development. The result in his first four games were disastrous. Drake scored a total of 11 points and missed 27 of 28 shots attempted, including 0-14 from three, in a competition where defense tends to be light. To his credit, he’s attempting to develop a more versatile offensive game, putting the ball on the floor to create for himself or others. Unfortunately, the results draw the kind of attention no professional player wants, the kind of attention that can get into a player’s head.

Last night’s game saw Powell break out of his slump, scoring 18 points on 6-10 (4-7) shooting. Then again, Brooklyn scored 115 points against a Sacramento squad that struggled to hold onto the ball with 28 turnovers and didn’t have much energy left for defense. All of Powell’s field goals were uncontested, either wide open spot ups in transition or dunks. At no point did Powell successfully put the ball on the floor against a defender.

On top of all that, the Nets invested another first-round pick at guard with Louisville’s Mikel Brown, in addition to the four first-round guards acquired last season. They picked up Keon Ellis, a 26 year old three-and-D shooting guard with four years of NBA experience, for $9 million. Powell projects to be the Nets’ third shooting guard, which likely means inactive many nights. It’s hard to see Powell getting the 1,300 minutes he had last season as the third-string PG behind Egor Demin and Keon Ellis.

Powell remains deeply uncomfortable putting the ball on the floor, and that’s something that typically requires a lot of live reps to overcome. The question then becomes whether Drake, clearly an NBA-level athlete, might have benefitted from working on his offensive game at the college level. Henri Veesaar declared for the draft in part because he says he’s a more efficient learner when surrounded by players better than he is, which seems like excellent self-awareness. Not all learners are wired that way, though.

It would have been interesting to see Powell in UNC’s rotation last season at 30+ minutes a game, taking all of Bogavac’s minutes and all of Kyan Evan’s after his demotion. Given the perimeter space created by Wilson’s and Veesaar’s presence, and given how much UNC struggled at guard on both ends, it potentially could have been an excellent developmental platform and showcase for Drake, a win-win for both the player and program.

Powell’s achingly poor offensive showing in the NBA’s Summer League doesn’t mean he won’t — in the end — have a highly successful NBA career. Danny Green only played in 20 games his rookie season for the Cavs and eight the next for the Spurs before his offensive game clicked into place. But, for the moment, it feels like the development curve on offense necessary for Drake to stick in the NBA is overwhelming him.

Do you think Drake should have stayed at UNC another year, despite his first round grade after last season? Let us know in the comments.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling the dice after trading for LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets earlier in the offseason.

This could be a long-term investment that ultimately ends in a championship for the Twin Cities. Bleacher Report contributor Andy Bailey predicted who he believed would be the top 30 players in the league by 2030. The Wolves were the only team with multiple players in the top 10, with Ball clocked in at No. 10, while Edwards landed at No. 5.

“The Charlotte Hornets are betting that we may have already seen the best of LaMelo Ball, or that the injury problems will resurface, or both,” Bailey wrote. “But over the last five seasons, regardless of what you think about how he puts up his numbers, the fact is that LaMelo produces in a way we’ve rarely seen.

“In that stretch, he’s averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 threes, while shooting 36.7 percent from deep.”

“There’s a very real chance that Edwards, with his three-level scoring and still-developing playmaking, could be the best player in the NBA in 2030,” Bailey added.

In order for the Wolves to have the best pairing in the league, they need Ball to remain healthy. The fact that he’s only 24 years old suggests that his prime could be on the horizon, but he needs to be available in order to make that happen.

Edwards is also only 24 years old right now, meaning that the best of his career might not have arrived just yet.

The Wolves have a few years to improve this core as much as possible. If they can maximize their potential, they might be NBA champions by the end of the decade.

Canis Hoopus community, how do you feel about the potential Ball and Edwards have as a duo in the backcourt? Let us know in the comment section below.

The 2026 ESPYS will gather notable names from the sports and entertainment world to celebrate the year in sports.

The award show, hosted by ESPN, is an annual event that honors and recognizes some of the recent successes and moments created by the stars in their respective sports.

Who's hosting the ESPYS this year?

Comedian and "Saturday Night Live" star Marcello Hernández will host the show at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York.

What athletes are expected to be at the ESPYS this year?

Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be in attendance before turning their full attention to training camp in the upcoming weeks.

The NBA will be well represented with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in attendance. Brunson helped lead the Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years earlier this year.

Gymnasts Simone Biles, track star Allyson Felix and Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn are among the Olympic gold medalists expected to make an appearance. Vonn crashed during an event at the Winter Olympics that resulted in her fracturing her tibia and breaking her right ankle on Feb. 8.

Vonn also developed compartment syndrome that required her to have surgery that saved her leg from being amputated. Vonn had decided to ski in the Olympics just a week before tearing her left ACL on Jan. 30, during an event in Switzerland.

Writing this preview, I am in quite the dilemma. I intend to drum up anticipation for the Jazz to play the Spurs this Wednesday at 7:30 PM MDT. However, I do not intend to mislead the reader by making it seem that this game matters more than it does. I’m rooting for each of these players, but smart money says that none will ever play a significant role for the Utah Jazz during their professional basketball career, given that our more established players (Ace Bailey, Darryn Peterson, Cody Williams) have each presumably called it quits (I think there’s a chance Cody plays one more game).

The Spurs have had a relatively successful Las Vegas Summer League so far, with 2 wins and 1 loss. As for players to watch, Carter Bryant would be the big name if ends up playing. I wasn’t as wowed as others by his performance during the Spurs finals run – his defense didn’t slow down Shai as much as some singular defensive possessions would make you think, and the offense was legitimately very debilitating. He has tons of room for improvement, but it will be worrying for the Spurs brass if he has an inefficient game against a unexciting Jazz Summer League squad. Tarris Reed is the other player on this Spurs team that I believe has a chance to play meaningful minutes during this upcoming regular season. Luke Kornet was uninspiring for long stretches during their playoff run, and rebounding was a constant issue. Tarris Reed has the potential to compete for the backup center position from day one. He was drafted 26th overall after an impressive collegiate career at Michigan and UConn. In his senior season, he was one of the best big men in the country and led the Huskies to the National Championship game. Jonas Aidoo has been a strong player on both ends throughout Summer League, and will have his work cut out for him against a mature, NBA-ready big man.

Nevertheless, even if none of the Jazz players have the same pedigree as Bryant or Reed, I believe they each have (varying degrees of) potential to win their uphill battle and eventually carve out a role in the NBA. Blake Hinson showed some serious play-finishing chops to end the 2025-2026 season, with his size combined with his dynamic shooting. He’s disappointed me throughout Summer League so far, but it is to be expected that his playstyle is not the most consistent – it’s a make-or-miss league, and Hinson really relies on making his shots and doesn’t provide much when he isn’t. However, the Jazz are in need of a big forward in the reserves (especially if the regular season version of Cody Williams plays anything like he has in Summer League), and Hinson has time in the system – he has a realistic path to filling a real niche. If the Spurs play Carter Bryant (a big, athletic, disruptive forward defender), he will likely be slotted to guard Hinson – if Blake can get any momentum against Bryant, it would do a lot to confirm that he’s a legitimate NBA player and not just a shooter who got hot at the right time.

One player we won’t be seeing any of is Utah’s newest two-way signing, Trey Alexander. He had a scary fall at the end of the Jazz’s win against the Bulls, which led to him being stretchered off the court in a neck brace. Thankfully, it has been reported that he has been diagnosed with a rib contusion – painful, to be sure, but probably the best case scenario for the circumstances. We will likely have to wait till October to see Trey suit up for a Utah-based team, be it the Jazz or the Stars.

When analyzing Summer League games, it’s important to know what to look for – outside of the aforementioned Hinson and Alexander, here is one question to answer for each of Jazz’s players who have seen any significant amount of playing time in the Las Vegas Summer League. I’m not sure which will play against the Spurs, but this should cover all our bases.

Max Abmas: Does he have the capability to get to the rim against athletic defenders? It’s a tough outlook for this non-defending, sub 6 foot guard, but he can give himself a punchers chance with consistent paint pressure.

Jonas Aidoo: How will he hang against Tarris Reed, who has about 25 pounds of weight over him?

Tamar Bates: How comfortable is he with the ball in his hands? He’s known for his outside shot and has shown good energy, but can he combine those to attack closeouts or burst out of the pick and roll?

Matthew Cleveland: Can the rangy defender show confidence on his outside shot? In a one-game sample, whether he makes them is less important than how comfortable he appears when taking them.

Eric Dixon: Does the surprisingly agile forward use his weight to create efficient offense? So far, he’s been too quick to settle for tough jump shots.

Anderrson Garcia: How does his defense look in an isolation setting? I’m consistently impressed with his off-ball help and activity on the rebounds, but is he the type of player we can put on a hot opposing scorer?

Hayden Gray: Does he have the capability to get his own shot from the pick-and-roll? I like his decision making on both ends, but he may lack the physical tools to put the necessary pressure on the defense.

Justin Harmon: Nearly the inverse of Gray – can Harmon make plays for others in the pick-and-roll? He’s shown flashes as a shooter, driver, and defender, but he is point guard sized, and will need to playmake if he wants a real role.

Kylor Kelley: Can he be impactful on the glass? In college, he was a dominant shot blocker, but his rebounding always left something to be desired – both are necessary if he wants a role as a rim-runner at the NBA level.

Jaxon Kohler: How is his positioning on defense? He’s strong, and energetic, and has good touch, but I would like some more tape on whether his positive traits actually translate to positive defense.

Bez Mbeng: Is he comfortable dribbling the ball more than 2-3 times? This is a similar story to Harmon – he’s guard sized, and has yet to show consistent guard skills.

Orlando Robinson: How comfortable is he with his outside shot? That was one of the most tantalizing pieces of his profile while back at Fresno State – if he projects as purely a rim-runner, he doesn’t have the necessary athleticism to be too intriguing. However, if the shot is a genuine part of his game, there may be a spot for him.

Cody Williams (a man can dream): Can he be more than “potential” on defense? The length is there, and the strength has obviously progressed, but he rarely accomplishes anything beyond looking like a good defender. If he can be a legitimate difference maker as a big wing on defense, there’s a clear role for him on the regular season team.

What are you looking out for from this best-of-the-rest Jazz Summer League squad in their game against the Spurs? Sound off below!

How to Watch

Who: Utah Jazz vs San Antonio Spurs

When: Tuesday, July 15, 2026 | 7:30 MT

Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

How: Prime Video

Victor Wembanyama gave NBA fans a good reminder not to overreact to Las Vegas Summer League after the San Antonio Spurs selected him at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Wembanyama’s summer league debut was a dud as he finished with nine points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field. It’s safe to say Wemby’s career would turn out just fine after he led the Spurs to the NBA Finals in his third season at age-22.

Still, it’s hard to shake a bad first impression for rookies entering the league. Fans want to think their new players are bound to be stars, or at least dependable role players. When rookies disappoint in summer league, it’s still a bummer even it means basically nothing for the long-term outlook of their career.

Here are the rookies who have underwhelmed in summer league so far. If nothing else, it will be helpful to look back on this list if and when these players become solid contributors to show future rookies that a bad start to summer league isn’t that big of a deal.

Aday Mara, C, Oklahoma City Thunder

Mara was arguably the biggest winner of March Madness, going from a player typically projected in the mid-20s to a surefire lottery pick after Michigan’s national championship run. The Thunder selected him at No. 12 overall, and his rim protection plus high-level passing ability felt like a natural fit for their system. I was on the Mara bandwagon in the predraft process, but during my conversations with front office people and other writers I started to notice that he was perhaps the most polarizing player in the class. Some people viewed him as a low ceiling center who should be a fringe first-round pick, while others had him in the top-10.

Mara has struggled a bit away from Michigan’s amazing infrastructure at the start of his summer league run. He’s only shot 46 percent from the field through his first four games, which is pretty underwhelming for a 7’3 guy. His touch has looked shaky around the rim, and there are moments of passivity defensively. There are positive flashes on the tape too of course, like this overpowering drive and dunk, and some of his signature passing to cutters on the move. I do think it’s fair to question Mara’s scoring utility if he struggles to get deep post position because of a high center of gravity, and there’s no doubt he has to earn his early minutes on the defensive end. I’m not worried, but the Mara skeptics have a little more ammunition after this summer league run.

Dailyn Swain, G, Chicago Bulls

I had a front row seat at the NBA Draft Combine scrimmages, and was surprised to see Dailyn Swain on the court. The combine scrimmages are typically only for fringe draft picks, and by this point Swain had already solidified himself as a mid first-rounder. Even more surprising was that Swain did not play particularly well in a setting where he should have been the best player on the floor, showing a slow and hitchy release on his jumper and looking a bit lost offensively. The Bulls were undeterred and selected Swain at No. 15, but his struggles have continued through his first couple games in summer league.

Swain shot 3-of-10 from the floor in Chicago’s opener in Las Vegas, then shot 0-of-9 from the floor in his second game and 0-of-7 from the floor in the third game. The Bulls have indicated that they see him as a ball handler long-term, but he’s clearly struggled to handle against pressure thus far. That would be less of an issue if Swain had a reliable off-ball game, but right now his jumper looks as broken as ever. The Bulls did Swain no favors with this roster construction, failing to put a dependable point guard next to him that could handle against ball pressure and get him some easier shots. Instead, Swain has admitted he’s overthinking every move on the court. There have been some flashes of the downhill driving that popped this past season at Texas, but for now it’s clear Swain isn’t a point guard and needs to put plenty of work in on fixing his jumper.

Darius Acuff, G, Sacramento Kings

Acuff had a legendary scoring season at Arkansas, but sharp scouts noticed concerns with process on both ends of the floor. The point guard’s shot profile was pretty mid-range heavy, and while his three-point shooting numbers were excellent in the small college sample, they were more concerning if you include the high school data. Acuff’s real questions came on the defensive end, where he didn’t show much effort in addition to having poor tools. These concerns have continued in summer league, where Acuff has posted underwhelming scoring efficiency and ghastly defensive tape while still showing the talent that made him a certain lottery pick.

Acuff hasn’t done anything to show that his NBA defense will be better than the level he showed in college. So far, lazy closeouts, spacey off-ball defense, and a lack of hustle have been all over the tape. It often feels like he’s not actively engaged in the game when his team doesn’t have the ball. There’s going to be a high bar to meet offensively for a guard who is this poor on defense, and Acuff hasn’t been close to it yet. He’s scored 78 points on 82 shots through four games. His decision-making hasn’t been great as a passer either with 18 assists to 14 turnovers. I was way low on Acuff on my mid-season board before he started to win me over by consistently delivering in big games at Arkansas. Will the Kings ever play in any big games while he’s on the team? I hope so, because that fanbase deserves better.

Keaton Wagler, G, Los Angeles Clippers

Wagler hasn’t made anything look easy in summer league. The No. 5 pick has struggled to create separation off the dribble, he hasn’t been a plus with his playmaking, and he’s basically a non-factor on the glass. Wagler’s 8.2 PER is the worst of any top-10 pick through two summer league games despite getting hot in the second half against Utah in his second game. The athletic concerns entering the draft appear to be valid for now. Wagler just doesn’t have a lot of burst as a ball handler, and even some of his effective drives have been pretty ugly. He got dusted by Darryn Peterson on a couple occasions, including on the No. 2 pick’s poster slam where he struggled to get under a screen. With five assists and four turnovers, he looks better suited for shooting guard than point guard at the moment. Wagler has admitted that leaving Illinois’ five-out system has been challenging, and I suspected that would be the case entering the draft. Wagler is naturally going to add muscle to his thin frame as he goes on in the league, and being in an NBA strength and conditioning program should be very good for him long-term. The Clippers can give him both on-ball and off-ball reps this year, and that should be good for his development. When the off-the-dribble shot-making is falling, Wagler looks terrific. He’s far from a finished product, but Clippers fans should still be feeling encouraged long-term.

Christian Anderson, G, Charlotte Hornets

Anderson should have a shot to be Coby White’s backup as a rookie after the Hornets traded LaMelo Ball, but he’s looked pretty far away from being a real contributor during his summer league run. Through three games, Anderson has been unable to catch a rhythm with his shot while struggling with turnovers and not doing much on the defensive end. Anderson had a reputation as one of the draft’s best shooters, but his inability to play to contact inside the arc means he’s settling for a lot of tough pull-up threes right now, which has hurt his scoring efficiency (43.2 percent true shooting). I liked his live-dribble passing at Texas Tech, but the passing windows haven’t been there yet, and it’s resulted in a 6.7 percent assist rate compared to a 20.1 percent turnover rate. Anderson isn’t too big or too athletic, so it’s hard to expect him to be a monster driving to the rim. That means he’s likely going to have to live off tough shots. It’s a good thing the Hornets are one of the best offensive rebounding teams around.

Nate Ament, F, Milwaukee Bucks

While Brayden Burries has been arguably the most impressive rookie at summer league thus far, the Bucks’ other lottery pick Nate Ament hasn’t looked very assertive or effective. Ament has only scored 21 points in 65 minutes, and just doesn’t seem very comfortable getting into his shot yet. He knocked down a couple threes against the Suns, and focusing on spacing the floor and making an impact on defense is probably his best path forward early in his career. Ament has the frame to be a good defender in time, but he’s just not there yet. His awareness is pretty poor right now, and he can struggle with physicality. As long as Ament is a good three-point shooter, he’ll have some immediate utility on offense, and his defense should improve in time as the Bucks continue to beef him up. Until then, just enjoy the Brayden Burries show, Bucks fans.