Category: Basketball

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The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies face off tonight in the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship.

My Warriors vs. Grizzlies predictions pick Memphis to get the job done in a high-scoring matchup.

Find out why in my NBA Summer League picks for Sunday, July 19.

Warriors vs Grizzlies predictions for July 19

Pick
Grizzlies -3.5	-108
/ Over 181.5	-104

Who will win Warriors vs Grizzlies tonight: Grizzlies -3.5 (-108 at Kalshi)

The Memphis Grizzlies came into the 2026 Summer League with sky-high expectations and arguably the deepest and most talented roster. They met those expectations, and tonight, they’ll bring home a championship.

Both teams are 4-1, but the Grizzlies have dominated opponents in a way the Golden State Warriors haven’t. Golden State is +31 through five games, and Memphis is +51. The Warriors’ only loss was a 19-point beatdown at the hands of the Grizzlies.

Four of Memphis’ five starters saw multiple starts in the NBA last season, and both Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Taylor Hendricks have played over 100 NBA games in their three-year careers.

Leading scorer Cedric Coward made the All-Rookie First Team a season ago, and No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer has impressed with averages of 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals.

Memphis has scored more points on offense and allowed fewer points on defense than Golden State in Summer League play, and the talent, experience, and cohesiveness of this team give it a clear edge.

Warriors vs Grizzlies Over/Under pick: Over 181.5 (-104 at Kalshi)

Two of the best offenses in SL clash tonight, and that should result in plenty of buckets. At 97.6 ppg, the Grizzlies rank fourth in scoring, and the Warriors rank 10th at 93.8. Both teams rank in the Top 12 in FG%, 3PT%, offensive rebounds, assists, and fewest turnovers.

Golden State has gone Over 181.5 in three of its five games, while Memphis has done so four times. When they met on July 14, the teams combined for 191 points.

Four of Memphis’ five starters are averaging 14+ points, and Golden State has a number of capable scorers and plenty of 3-point shooting to boost the final score. 

How to watch Warriors vs Grizzlies

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College athletics have long been finished; the New York Knicks and Carolina Hurricanes are already champions; the only NFL news is Travis Kelce’s wedding and the dreaded dog days of baseball are upon us. The FIFA World Cup has provided a lone lifeline to sports fans.

Yet, for the sports psychos who need a little bit more than the drama of the greatest soccer player of all time and a Spaniard destined to stand beside him, the NBA Summer League has delivered a competitive spark. College basketball stars and the promising youth of the NBA have clashed every night over the past couple of weeks. From AJ Dybantsa to Nick Martinelli, basketball is very much alive in Las Vegas.

Northwestern had four alumni play in the Summer League during July, all of whom hoped to secure guaranteed roster spots and possibly even minutes on NBA courts this upcoming season. Here’s how the Wildcat quartet fared.

Today is the last day of Summer League. The championship between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies is at 8 p.m. CT. Brooks Barnhizer plays for the Thunder at 4:30 p.m. CT.

Pete Nance (Milwaukee Bucks): B

Following a productive four-year career at Northwestern and a final season at North Carolina, Nance went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He struggled to find playing time in the NBA until last season with the Bucks, when he appeared in 47 games. Nance entered this year’s Summer League on a minimum contract with the Bucks with a team option for next season.

Nance didn’t appear in any of the Bucks’ first three games as part of the California Classic earlier this month, but received a starting spot upon meeting the rest of the association in Las Vegas and shined immediately. In his debut, Nance led the Bucks in scoring with 16 points on 60% shooting from the field and four 3-pointers. He followed that up with eight points, five rebounds and five assists against the San Antonio Spurs and seven points and three rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.

In the Bucks’ first win in Las Vegas, Nance played 27 minutes and had 11 points and four assists against the Charlotte Hornets. His plus-minus was a team-high plus 25, and he added three makes from beyond the arc. Nance capped off his Summer League with another 11 points and three 3-pointers in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Across the Bucks’ five games, Nance averaged 11 points and 3.8 rebounds on 49% shooting from the field and made over 2.5 threes per game. It’s always hard to draw conclusions based upon Summer League results, but Nance’s consistent all-around performances and hot hand from long range should ensure a spot on a weakened Bucks roster this upcoming season. The size and shooting ability that Nance showcased should excite Milwaukee’s front office, as he could be an incredibly useful depth guy off the bench.

Boo Buie (Chicago Bulls): C-

Despite Buie taking Northwestern basketball to new heights and scoring over 2,000 points during his time in Evanston, he’s struggled to find a home in the NBA. After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft and bouncing around G League teams, Buie was signed by the Bulls for the Summer League and hoped to make an impact on another Illinois team.

Buie scored two points in three minutes in the Bulls’ first Summer League game, but seemingly did enough to impress the coaching staff to warrant more playing time. He played 14 minutes in game two but struggled to shoot and finished with three points on 20% shooting from the field. Buie’s third attempt was more of the same, as his lack of size led to turnover issues and defensive lapses.

The Bulls’ fourth summer league game was Buie’s best performance, as he scored 12 points in his 19 minutes played. He also made all five of his free throw attempts and had three assists. Buie netted two triples in his fifth game, but his overall struggles continued as the Bulls dropped to 1-4.

In an overall Summer League performance he’d love to have back, Buie averaged 5.6 points on 27% shooting from the field across his five games. It’s difficult to predict what the future holds for Buie, but it’s hard to envision the Bulls or any other team giving him an NBA opportunity this season.

Brooks Barnhizer (Oklahoma City Thunder): B+

Barnhizer was drafted 44th overall by the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft and showed real promise in his rookie season’s 40-game sample size. Barnhizer is on a two-way contract for the upcoming season and hopes to use Summer League to expand his role within a crowded Thunder rotation.

Oklahoma City began the month in Utah against the Grizzlies. Barnhizer started the first game and scored 13 points on 50% shooting from the field with six rebounds. He struggled to shoot the ball in the second game but contributed 13 rebounds before putting up 15 points and 10 boards in game three. Barnhizer’s impact is evident in his finishing the third game with a plus-1 rating, despite his team losing by 34 points.

In the Thunder’s first game in Las Vegas, Barnhizer led the team in scoring and rebounding with 12 points and 10 rebounds. His second game was quieter, but on night three, Barnhizer had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a close loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder’s fourth game in Las Vegas was Barnhizer’s best performance of the entire month of July, as he once again led the team in scoring and rebounding with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Barnhizer looked like a man amongst boys in the game against the Dallas Mavericks and truly showed the steps he’s taken.

The Thunder have one more game to play, but Barnhizer averaged 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds on 41% shooting from the field across his first seven Summer League games. Barnhizer’s efficiency could have been better, but he started every game and was the one consistent option on both ends of the floor for a Thunder team that didn’t win a game. It will be hard for him to see consistent NBA minutes next season on such a loaded depth chart, but he proved once again his two-way skills and value on the court. Barnhizer will be ready when his opportunity finally comes.

Nick Martinelli (Los Angeles Clippers): A

Martinelli was drafted by the Clippers with the 55th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and signed a two-year, two-way contract. Though the guarantees in his contract give Martinelli some stability, his competitive nature compelled him to take Summer League by storm.

The Clippers started in Las Vegas, and Martinelli debuted with 11 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench in a losing effort. However, he wouldn’t let his team lose twice in a row and bounced back to lead the Clippers to their first win against the Utah Jazz, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.

He struggled to 12 points and 10 rebounds in game three, and then put together his Magnum Opus in a blowout over the Wizards. Rewarded with the starting spot for his effective play, Martinelli had 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field with three makes from beyond the arc. He also had five rebounds, two steals and finished the game as a plus-13. The two-way impact was undeniable; his energy was consistent and contagious. As he did so many times in a Northwestern jersey, Martinelli made his teammates better and inspired the win in Las Vegas.

The Clippers’ third win of Summer League featured more highly efficient scoring from Martinelli, as he had 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting to go along with six rebounds. Martinelli’s plus-15 plus-minus compelled his team to an overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, capping off a tremendous Summer League effort.

Martinelli averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds on over 60% shooting from the field across his five Summer League games. He proved to be a reliable threat on the offensive end, an above-average rebounder and a defender capable of standing his ground in the paint and on the perimeter. If Martinelli can continue to develop his long-range shot, he should grow into a valuable sixth or seventh man with the ability to change the tide of games. One couldn’t have asked for much more from the 55th pick in the draft as he’s already begun his campaign to make the 29 other front offices look silly.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Sunday, July 19.

OKC gets back three second-round draft picks from the Hawks in exchange for Dort; Atlanta is also sending guard Ryan Nembard to the Dallas Mavericks for former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.

With this trade, the Thunder have now acquired seven second-round picks this offseason after previously trading Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two second-round picks apiece. Dort had a $17.7 million team option and rather than declining it to save cap space and let him walk for nothing, general manager Sam Presti decided to pick it up and get some value for the first-team All-Defensive wing.

Now, Dort is in a position to get the long-term contract he wouldn't have been able to in OKC and will reunite with Wiggins in Atlanta, where he projects as an ideal defensive fit alongside Dyson Daniels and Nickiell Alexander-Walker.

BREAKING: The Oklahoma City Thunder trading All-Defensive wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that sends three second-round picks to OKC, former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks and Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4ewUxhRQA5

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2026

Dallas had been previously linked to Risacher at the 2026 trade deadline when his name came up as a possible candidate for an Anthony Davis trade, though his hand surgery ended up nixing any interest the Hawks had in a deal and the Mavs ended up sending Davis to the Washington Wizards instead.

In seven seasons since arriving in OKC as an undrafted free agent, Dort averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists while establishing himself as one of the NBA's premier perimeter defenders.

More: Where will LeBron James play this season? Picks, predictions for next team

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

In both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, Lakers fans had plenty to be excited about.

The team won two out of their three games in San Francisco. In Las Vegas, they went undefeated during their first four games, advancing to the elimination round.

The Lakers lost to the Warriors and failed to advance to the title game, but in Summer League, the most important thing is seeing potential in young prospects.

From that perspective, LA got everything they wanted from Summer League. Cameron Carr averaged 18 points per game and had a plus-minus of +9 in Las Vegas. Adou Thiero looked like a second-year player ready to put Summer League play in his rearview mirror. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

With Carr and Thiero playing so well, the Lakers appear to have two young players on their roster that can impact winning this fall.

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked fans which player they are most excited about after this Summer League between Carr and Thiero, and the Lakers rookie won the poll by a wide margin.

Carr did it all in Summer League. He was a great scorer for the Lakers and also a vocal leader. He was talking trash on the court and letting all the opponents know he was here to play. His game backed up that chatter, and he kept that energy during his postgame interviews.

Everything fans wanted to see from Carr, he showed. He was creating on-ball, scoring big-time buckets, competing hard on defense and blocking shots.

While Carr was great, Thiero was equally impressive.

He had some monster dunks, displayed his ability as an on-ball creator and showed that he could be a good athletic wing option for the Lakers this upcoming season.

With Carr and Thiero shining, Chris Mañon being a defensive menace, and Arthur Kaluma making a case for a two-way deal, the Lakers had a very successful Summer League.

They did a ton of winning and gave Lakers fans optimism that these young players will be an important part of the future.

The next time we see Carr and Thiero play will be during preseason action. Hopefully they look just as promising this fall as they did in Las Vegas and San Francisco this summer.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded one of the foundational players from their 2025 NBA championship run in an effort to trim payroll and stay out of the dreaded second apron. The Thunder traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that also sends former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. Here’s the full breakdown of the trade:

Thunder acquire: Three future second-round picks

Hawks acquire: Lu Dort, Ryan Nembhard

Mavericks acquire: Zaccharie Risacher

The Thunder have reportedly saved $224 million in luxury tax and payroll this season by trading Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe. OKC is now under the second apron, and they are acquiring a 2027 second rounder from the Chicago Bulls (via Dallas), a 2031 most favorable second rounder from the Hawks, and a 2032 most favorable from the Hawks in the deal, according to Jake Fischer. Atlanta has added another bulldog defender on the perimeter, and the Mavs are taking a flier on a failed No. 1 overall pick.

Let’s grade this trade from every side.

Hawks trade grade for Lu Dort deal

Atlanta found some magic after trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in January of last season. The Hawks finished 28-15 after the trade with the league’s No. 8 net-rating at +4.9, then proceeded to take two games off the New York Knicks in the first-round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

In landing Dort, Atlanta adds another bulldog perimeter defender to pair with fDyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Dort is on an expiring $18.2 million deal for the 2026-27 season, which means the Hawks maintain a lot of cap flexibility ahead of the next summer. The Hawks are positioned to have $40+ million in cap space next season according to Charania, and they’re going to be very annoying to play against this year with arguably the league’s toughest defensive trio on the perimeter.

It feels like Atlanta has quietly become one of the best-run teams in the league since promoting Onsi Saleh to lead executive. The Hawks added Kingston Flemings via the brilliant Derik Queen trade, re-signed C.J. McCollum to a smart one-year deal, and added Devin Carter and Aaron Wiggins in trades. Risacher was drafted by the old front office, and he clearly wasn’t part of the Hawks’ long-term plans. Moving off him now seems fine to me given that he was set to make $31.2 million over the next two years. Atlanta is clearly loading up on defense around star forward Jalen Johnson, and they have the assets to make a bigger splash a year from now.

Dort is so physical defensively that he’s a borderline dirty player, and that might be putting it charitably. The East has gotten much stronger this summer, but no one will want to play the Hawks this year.

Grade: A-

Thunder trade grades for Lu Dort deal

Sam Presti always has a long-term vision in mind. He moved off Josh Giddey before he was due for an extension, and added a critical piece to a championship team in Alex Caruso in the process. Now he’s dealing Dort to significantly trim OKC’s tax bill, and potentially open up an extension for Cason Wallace.

The Thunder were always going to be very expensive once the extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren all kicked in. Presti has done well to navigate the second apron as a small market team by moving off role players, replacing them with cost-controlled draft picks, and adding more future assets to potentially make more moves in the future.

The Thunder were the No. 1 team in our way-too-early power rankings. To get back to being a championship team, OKC will need Williams and Holmgren to regain the form they showed on the 2025 title run. In many ways, this team has outgrown Dort. Wallace feels like a more dynamic two-way player, and this also potentially opens up more opportunities for Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Topic, and rookie Bennett Stirtz.

Presti isn’t perfect, it just feels that way sometimes. This is pretty good business to move off Dort, add some second-round picks, and maintain flexibility going forward.

Grade: A-

Mavericks trade grades for Zaccharie Risacher deal

Risacher was a pretty shocking No. 1 overall pick from the weak 2024 NBA Draft. I didn’t even have him as a top-10 prospect on my final board, though I shouldn’t exactly be taking a victory lap on that one given that I had plenty of bad calls on my board that year. ESPN was pushing Risacher as the No. 1 overall pick prospect that year. New Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz started his career covering the draft for ESPN, so it isn’t too surprising that Schmitz saw him as a possible reclamation project.

Risacher was always a bet on a 3-and-D wing. So far, he hasn’t been too impressive in either area. Risacher’s defense graded out in the 26th percentile on EPM last season, and he’s a 36 percent three-point shooter on 8.5 attempts per 100 possessions for his career. Risacher offers very little shot-creation or playmaking. He’s not a plus rebounder for his position, either, and his scoring efficiency has been below league-average both years of his career.

Still, he’s only 21 years old, and could benefit from a change of scenery. He could be a good fit next to Cooper Flagg long-term if he actually becomes effective in the 3-and-D areas he’s supposed to be good at, and he’s already a pretty solid transition player who should run the floor well. I’ve never been a big fan of Risacher, but there’s an outline of a good player there, and the Mavs certainly bought very low on him in this deal. Schmitz knows what he’s doing, and if he believes in Risacher’s long-term future, then this is a fine flier to take at minimal cost.

Grade: B

The first overall number one pick in the draft lottery era for the Hawks will be calling another city home. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news about Zaccharie Risacher:

Risacher was drafted first overall after the Hawks unexpectedly won the draft lottery in 2024. After finishing second in rookie of the year voting in 2024-25, last season was a different tale. Risacher averaged just 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.

The Hawks also sent out two second-round picks and received NBA champion forward Luguentz “Lu” Dort and young defensive-minded guard Ryan Nembhard from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks respectively.

According to a blockbuster report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Dallas Mavericks have traded for Zaccharie Risacher, former number one overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Atlanta Hawks. The Mavericks are trading Ryan Nembhard to the Hawks.

While the bigger news for NBA fans at large is probably the Lu Dort of it all, but Dallas taking a shot on a disappointing pick in Risacher is interesting. The Mavericks will accept Risacher into their salary cap using the trade exception created by the Anthony Davis trade to the Washington Wizards earlier this year.

According to Jake Fischer, the Mavericks are sending a 2027 pick that they received from the Chicago Bulls at some point.

Risacher joins the Mavericks after two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks where he made a marginal impact. Through 142 career games he’s averaging 11 points, just under four rebounds, and an assist per game in 24 minutes of action. His shooting splits are solid, a career 35% from three-point range, but he also doesn’t get to the line much while also shooting a subpar 69% from the charity stripe. His role decreased last season as he played fewer minutes and games, and it became clear prior to the trade deadline that Risacher’s days in Atlanta had an expiration date.

Where he fits in Dallas is anyone’s guess. The French forward WAS picked number one overall, but even at the time it didn’t entirely make sense as to why Atlanta picked him.

Considering what it took to trade for Risacher, this trade has to go down as a pretty spectacular, low-stakes gamble. The Mavericks essentially sent a second-rounder in next year’s draft away for a shot at a former number one overall pick. If he doesn’t work out, then next year you decline his team option. This is good business.

I’ve often whined about past team’s and the lack of pedigree, well the Mavericks enter the year with three number one overall players on their roster for the second straight season. That’s nothing to scoff at. With a few veterans still likely available to be traded, the Dallas offseason is likely not done yet.

LeBron James’s free agency continues as he decided not to reveal any decision at his scheduled events at Fanatics Fest this weekend.

While LeBron didn’t make any announcement at Fanatics Fest, other players in attendance this weekend were asked about the possibility of James joining their team. One of those was Cleveland Cavaliers point guard James Harden.

“That’s the goal, that’s the plan,” Harden said when asked by ESPN Brazil if he could envision a trio of himself, Donovan Mitchell, and LeBron. “Hopefully, we’ll see [that] in the next few days.”

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“I hope he comes to Cleveland,” Harden said in a separate interview about James this weekend. “It’s a perfect storybook finish. He’s at home for his last year. But you know, he’s going to decide. He’s smart enough. I don’t think anybody’s pitches are going to move him.”

Harden comes across as quite confident in both clips that James could be returning to Cleveland. In many ways, it felt reminiscent of how head coach Kenny Atkinson and Mitchell have handled questions about LeBron in the last week.

That said, the Cavs are hardly the only team that seems confident about LeBron signing with them. Gilbert Arenas mentioned at a live recording of his podcast that he talked about the possibility of James signing with the Miami Heat with Giannis Antetokounmpo, saying, “They’re thinking in Miami that they’re getting him.”

Additionally, the Philadelphia 76ers are pulling out all the stops to let James know they would love to add him to their team. It’s been reported that Sixers owner, Josh Harris had a “brief, friendly conversation” with LeBron during Fanatics Fest this weekend.

We’ll see how this plays out. LeBron is reportedly getting much closer to a decision. Whether or not we get an announcement of that in the coming days remains to be seen.

The 2026 Summer League is in the books for the Phoenix Suns. They leave Las Vegas with a 3-2 record, a number that will disappear into the desert haze long before anyone cares to remember it. What should stick with you is the feeling.

This organization arrived in Las Vegas with one mission: develop the young core. Mission accomplished? Never. But on the right track? Indeed. The Suns put their future under the brightest lights they could find, and those young players didn’t blink. They attacked, they flashed, and they gave fans something tangible to hold onto as the franchise continues building toward what comes next.

Which brings us to one final Summer League tradition, the Second Annual Bright Side Baller of the Summer League.

Sure, it’s a little ridiculous. We’re handing out imaginary awards for games that don’t count. Then again, that’s part of the fun. Around here, we do it after every game. The Bright Side community votes on who they believe was the best player that night. I make the graphic, we celebrate the performance, and it becomes another bookmark in the archive. A snapshot of who owned that moment before the basketball calendar swept everyone into the next one.

Last season, the voting (like the performances that garnered votes) was inconsistent. Nobody truly separated from the pack. Oso Ighodaro eventually claimed the Summer League crown with two Bright Side Baller awards, edging out Koby Brea and Ryan Dunn, who each collected one. It was a team searching for standout moments, and finding them in different places every night.

This year? There wasn’t a debate. Khaman Maluach owned Summer League. In the four games he played, he walked away with the Bright Side Baller award every single time. Four games, four wins, and one closed case.

The leap went far beyond the box score, although the box score certainly did its part in feeding the excitement.

Those numbers make it easy to dream about what Maluach could become. They grab your attention immediately. But the statistics only tell part of the story. The real takeaway came from everything that never finds its way onto a stat sheet. His aggression on both ends of the floor. His communication as the anchor of the defense. His leadership. His energy. His passion. Every game, every possession, every timeout, it poured out of him.

Even in the finale against the Spurs when he sat in street clothes, you could still feel his fingerprints all over the game. He was on the bench barking at teammates, celebrating every big play, jawing with the opposition, completely invested in every possession like a man who couldn’t stand being separated from the action.

If there was one word that defined Khaman Maluach throughout this entire Summer League, it was “engaged”. He wasn’t there to survive the experience. He was there to consume it, to drag everyone around him into the fight, and to leave Las Vegas looking like someone who knows exactly where he’s headed.

Summer League is its own ecosystem. It’s a place where elite young talent gets to stretch its legs, where future role players become stars for a week, and confidence grows with every possession. The biggest fish find themselves swimming in a much smaller pond. That was Khaman Maluach in the summer of 2026. He rose above everyone around him. He imposed his will on games. More importantly, he looked like he expected to. There was never a sense that he was hoping things would work out. He carried himself like someone who believed he belonged at the center of the conversation.

Now comes October, and the pond gets a whole lot bigger. Maluach returns to being the young guy, another name on the depth chart, another player fighting for minutes in a league that doesn’t hand out opportunities because of a strong week in Las Vegas. Every possession has to be earned and every minute has to be taken.

The difference is that Summer League gave us something real to believe in. He looks ready for the next step. Not because he dominated a handful of exhibition games, but because his approach changed. His mind seems to be catching up to the incredible physical tools he has always possessed. The game is slowing down and the confidence is becoming authentic.

The Suns know there will be opportunities. Mark Williams isn’t going to carry the load for all 82 games, and every season has a way of creating minutes for players who prove they’re ready. That’s what changed in Las Vegas. Before Summer League, Maluach’s potential lived almost entirely in his physical gifts. Now it’s supported by confidence, communication, and a growing understanding of the game. October will present a much tougher challenge than July ever could, but for the first time, it feels like we’re waiting for an opportunity rather than wondering if one will ever come.

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

This week’s question asked you to grade rookie Bruce Thornton’s NBA Summer League performance this summer. Thornton got off to a red, hot start, and though he laid a bit of an egg in last night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring just 8 points on 2-for-12 shooting, he did add 8 boards and 7 assists to go along with some top-flight performances in his previous games. It’s important to note that we graded Thornton before last night’s game, which could have changed some results.

As you can see, 68 percent of voteras gave Thornton an A, while if you count the As and Bs, that’s 98 percent of voters. I think it’s safe to say that not many were expecting this type of production from the Rockets rookie.

Don’t forget to head over to our friends at FanDuel. Thornton is currently a +25000 to win NBA Rookie of the Year. That means if you’re feeling really confident, a $100 bet will earn you a cool $25k if he somehow wins it. Certainly a long shot, but one that might be worth the chance.

Thanks for voting. We’ll be back back soon with more Reacts.

After meeting in the NBA Finals five years ago, there are, strangely, many parallels between the Suns’ and Bucks’ journeys since that point, the main one being that both teams ended up trading their star player without having the fallback of owning their own picks. Granted, Giannis being traded at 31 years old—as opposed to Durant at 36—meant he had significantly more value, which meant the trade return was superior and gave the Bucks a much better opportunity to reshape their roster with young talent in the fashion of a typical rebuild.

And honestly, credit to Phoenix, who traded Durant and proceeded to have maybe the most feel-good season of any team last year. They hired an excellent coach in Jordan Ott, made shrewd roster moves around the edges, and won many more games than anyone expected them to, qualifying for the playoffs in a crowded Western Conference. Their play was excellent, but most importantly, their vibes were high. The expectation that I had, at least, was that the Suns would keep the same group together and continue to tread water whilst they climb another season out of the significant pick debt they are under.

The number one thing I wouldn’t have done? Trade another future pick!

Well, that’s exactly what Phoenix did, dispensing of their unprotected 2033 pick. I mean, before I even get to who they traded for, just moving that pick should have been off limits solely on principle. As the saying goes, “if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” And then you consider that they had dealt it in exchange for Miles Bridges, who—not even getting into his off-court issues—is barely even a needle mover! Congratulations, you went from the eighth-best team in the West to the seventh-best. Bravo. All the analyses I saw of this deal—every single one—panned the Suns, and rightly so.

Milwaukee needs to learn from this fatal flaw. As I mentioned, they are in a very similar position to Phoenix overall, but unlike the Suns, they have been able to build a young nucleus—let it grow! Let the broth simmer, and those flavours develop; add a secondary ingredient here and there, but don’t alter the whole recipe. To me, there should be little consideration given to trading a first-round pick for at least the next two years. Getting your head back above water in terms of pick equity should be a long-term goal here. The sugar rush of improving rapidly is enticing, but if that move doesn’t bring real, tangible results for a long time, you’re right back to square one.

Having said all of this, if the Bucks do trade a future pick (or picks), that player had better fit the age demographic. Of course, this is relevant given the team’s reported interest in Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Look, I remain mostly against such a deal, but Watson does fit into that aforementioned age demo, so I’d be able to stomach it if that came to fruition. It’s trading for guys who are closer to 30 than 20 that I’m staunchly against.

Patience is a virtue.

Despite narrowly missing out on the Summer League playoffs due to a point-differential tie-breaker, the Toronto Raptors are scheduled to play their final contest against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST on NBA TV Canada and ESPN2.

Here are three storylines to consider ahead of the Summer League finale.

Is Allen Graves legit?

The Allen Graves experience has fully delivered on what the analytics predicted. Even without the luxury of true offensive gravity to occupy the defence’s attention, Graves demonstrated how his complementary game can benefit the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes.

Through four contests, Graves is averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.3 stocks (steals and blocks) while shooting 50 per cent from the perimeter. Beyond the statistical output, Graves has also seemingly elevated the average fan’s awareness of the nuanced contributions that an elite role player provides.

Graves’ uncanny ability to warp 50-50 balls into scenarios that greatly favour him and his knack for consistently knocking down open shots will mesh perfectly with the Raptors’ dynamic duo of Leonard and Barnes, particularly in the post-season.

While it wouldn’t be surprising if Graves is limited against the Nuggets, should he play meaningful minutes, it would be encouraging to see him attack the rim. Outside of a near-perfect start to his career, Graves’ lone blemish is his lack of free-throw attempts.

Grab both centres?

Collin Murray-Boyles’ absence has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While many hoped to see Murray-Boyles dominate Summer League in his own signature way, the sophomore’s finger injury created additional opportunities for Nate Bittle and Jamarion Sharp.

Bittle, a seven-foot centre, has consistently impressed onlookers through four Summer League games. The 23-year-old big man went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, but has made the most of his opportunity with Toronto. It’s easy to envision Bittle coming off the bench – and even playing extended minutes should Poeltl miss games – on a Raptors team desperate for centre production. Bittle is a perimeter threat, protects the rim, rebounds the ball at a decent rate, and has touch on his passes that Head Coach Darko Rajakovic will certainly love.

Sharp, a seven-foot-six centre, may not have the finesse and shooting touch that Bittle possesses, but instead leverages otherworldly size and motor skills that can’t be taught. He’s a cheat code of a lob threat and easily erases shots at the rim. The reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year may have earned a training camp invite with how efficient he’s been off the bench in Summer League.

Worrisome guard play?

It’s no secret that Raptors fans were clamouring for a guard in the first round of the draft. When they didn’t get that specific archetype, attention was turned to the Raptors’ Summer League roster. Headed into the opener, two guards who stood out were Chucky Hepburn and 2026 second-rounder Jaden Bradley.

Unfortunately, neither improved their stock ahead of pre-season.

Hepburn, in his second year in the Raptors’ system, began Summer League with a slight advantage. His reputation as a tenacious two-way guard is something Toronto could use on its bench. Regrettably, Hepburn had a Summer League to forget. In two games, Hepburn averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.0 turnovers. The six-foot guard struggled with efficiency, averaging 23.8 per cent from the field 8.3 per cent from deep in 29 minutes of action.

After undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January, the Raptors seemingly removed Hepburn from Summer League action.

For Bradley, it’s been a bit of an awkward debut. It’s nonsensical to draw serious conclusions about a second-round rookie in Summer League. Still, it’s been confusing to see Bradley play without the confidence that carried him through his four years at Arizona.

In four games, Bradley is averaging 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 turnovers in just under 20 minutes a game. What’s more worrisome is that he’s struggled immensely with his shot, averaging 29.6 per cent from the field. He’s also only attempted three shots from the perimeter and has converted zero. In his final year with the Wildcats, Bradley averaged 46.3 per cent from the field and shot 39.4 per cent from deep on nearly two attempts a game.

Hepburn and Bradley will likely need additional reps with the Raptors 905, but there’s a potential spot on the main roster up for grabs, even if it’s just in stretches. How these two guards develop will help determine whether either of them is considered.

Would you believe I went to sleep in Spain thinking the Knicks had landed the last piece of the puzzle as they submitted an offer sheet for Mavericks big man Moussa Cisse…

…and I woke up to P&T’s Michael Zeno informing me the Mavs had matched the Knicks’ two-year, $4.7 million offer, updating his story on it, and killing my hopes of New York’s putting an end to this third-string-center saga? Cold world, links and notes.

• In all honesty, and while Cisse isn’t a world beater, the move was shrewd and one for a kid coming on the cheap and with huge upside — definitely something better (given the role he’d have taken on) than signing Jonas Valanciunas or any other dodderer. Nick Richards remains out there, but the Knicks’ front office keeps showing us they can come up with out-of-left-field moves at any moment.
• SNY’s Ian Begley noted that if the Knicks sign a third center, as it looks to be the intention following Saturday’s developments, they simply will not have enough space to give rookies Tyler Nickel or Jack Kayil a standard contract for next season. A third center would fill the 14th roster spot, and there would only be one left for one of Nickel or Kayil, who would need to sign a two-way deal. That inevitably points to Nickel staying and Kayil going back to Germany, as explained here.

“If the Knicks sign a third center, they wouldn’t have enough financial wiggle room to offer Nickel or Kayil a standard NBA contract. With Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet all on the roster next year, having Kayil stay overseas would make the most sense. Nickel could be in line for a two-way contract.”

• SNY’s Rafael Canton dropped a piece sharing the four main takeaways from the SummerKnicks run in Sin City. Mohamed Diawara’s Summer League was described as a “failure to launch.”
• Fellow SNY scribe David Vertsberger put together an “offseason development wish list” in which he discussed what all players under contract should improve at heading into the 2027 season. Here’s an example:

“Mikal Bridges – Pick-and-roll and isolation playmaking

“Bridges was invaluable and hilariously efficient in New York’s playoff run, but at times it felt he had a little more to give when Brunson was being pressured, and the Knicks needed an extra dose of ball-handling.

“He stepped up with his shooting as others like Jose Alvarado took over more ball-handling duties, but this could be an area for Bridges to tap into more.

“ His mid-range game is so effective; being comfortable using a screen or developing some kind of go-to dribble move that creates some space when he’s out on the perimeter could take his game to another level — it would also make defenses second-guess giving him a favorable matchup.”

• Jalen Brunson was asked at the Fanatics Fest whether he had recruited LeBron James to New York, and described his job nicely.
• Jose Alvarado spoke at the ESPY Awards ceremony about being the only native New Yorker on the championship roster. “It’s cool,” Jose said, among a few other things, including his foodie preferences.
• No offseason for Andre Drummond.
• Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns returned to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, this time as part of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. You can check out JB’s cameo and KAT’s table-breaking performance in full, if you’re into it.

• Tyler Kolek, at the ESPYs, said he would approve of Timothee Chalamet playing him in a movie about the Knicks’ championship season, while Kolek himself could probably play Chalamet’s role in the joint.
• Kolek, for one, is already getting his acting reps.
• Trae Young embarrassed himself in a very public and sad way.