The NBA Summer League presents an exciting chance for fans to catch a glimpse of their team’s newly drafted rookies and witness the future stars of the NBA in action.
Among the participating teams, a handful in a retooling or rebuilding phase deserves special attention for their amount of emerging talent. Here are the four teams to especially keep an eye on.
4 NBA Summer League Teams to Watch
No. 1 NBA Summer League Team to Watch: San Antonio Spurs
All eyes will be on the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, and for a good reason. The 7-foot-5 French prospect from Metropolitans 92 is viewed as arguably the most significant draft prospect to enter the NBA since LeBron James in 2003. Knowing the Spurs organization and head coach Gregg Popovich, they will play it conservatively with Wembanyama and ease him into NBA action. The plan for Wembanyama, as of now, is to play two games. Still, that makes the Spurs must-watch TV for basketball fans, even if it’s only July.
San Antonio also has some excellent under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on. Sidy Cissoko was the No. 44 pick in this year’s draft from the G League Ignite. He’s a great value pick for them in the second round. Blake Wesley, the No. 25 pick in last year’s, is another name to watch. He could be someone to help lead the Spurs to the NBA Summer League Championship.
The Spurs have a reputation for finding gems in the draft. So, watching Wesley and Cissoko to see if they can continue that tradition will be interesting.
No. 2 Team to Watch: Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are officially entering a rebuilding period after All-NBA guard Damian Lillard officially requested a trade. The good news? They have a lot of promising young talent to build around. That’s not including any assets they get back in exchange for Lillard.
No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson from the G League Ignite is an electrifying, downhill-style point guard that will be entertaining to watch. He’ll be joined by two other drafted rookies, Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert. Murray was selected No. 23 overall. He’s an excellent fit for the Blazers as a two-way forward that can contribute immediately.
Additionally, Portland took Rupert at No. 43. He’s more of a developmental flyer than Murray. Nonetheless, Rupert is someone to watch closely in the NBA Summer League as a relatively unknown player coming from the New Zealand Breakers. Last season, Shaedon Sharpe, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, came onto the scene as an emerging star after the Blazers shut Lillard down. We’ll see how much Sharpe plays, as he’s already proven himself in the league.
No. 3 Team to Watch: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder might be the favorite to win the NBA Summer League Championship. Led by Rookie of the Year runner-up Jalen Williams, the Thunder have a plethora of young talent to watch.
One of the most intriguing players is Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick from 2022. Holmgren is another player that will be eased into action, as he’s returning from a right foot injury that prevented him from playing last season. During the Thunder’s first two games, Holmgren looked like the player from Gonzaga that made him the No. 2 pick, averaging 12.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game.
No. 4 Team to Watch: Utah Jazz
The Jazz are quietly assembling one of the league’s best young cores. They have three first-round picks playing in this year’s NBA Summer League.
Taylor Hendricks, pick No. 9 out of Central Florida, is an excellent 3-and-D forward with elite rim-protecting potential. Baylor’s Keyonte George was selected at No. 16 and already seems like a solid pick as a two-way combo guard. Not to mention sharpshooter Brice Sensabaugh, who was the No. 28 pick out of Ohio State. They’ll be led by Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji, who had a great rookie season last year and will look to dominate.
