The first week of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has been an eye-opener for many, showcasing the impressive potential of young talents. Contrary to the widely held belief that this year's draft class may be historically weak, several rookies have risen to the occasion, demonstrating that such claims were exaggerated.
Players like Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis, and Bub Carrington delivered standout performances on Day 1. Among them, Reed Sheppard has particularly impressed with his feel for the game and extraordinary confidence, causing one NBA executive to remark, "Reed Sheppard, for example, has blown me away with his feel for the game and confidence. These guys are different players now than they were in March."
Notably, older rookies such as Dalton Knecht, Tristan da Silva, and Terrence Shannon Jr. demonstrated their preparedness, while younger long-term prospects like Tidjane Salaun, Cody Williams, and Kel'el Ware showed more readiness than anticipated. This adaptability and unexpected preparedness have challenged earlier criticisms of this draft class. Ron Holland II, one of the standout rookies, voiced his frustration over such criticisms, stating, "It definitely makes me mad that people would say that. But we go out here and play the game of basketball and just show everybody, show the whole world why we really want [to be] the best competitive class."
Meanwhile, Bronny James has had a mixed showing in the summer league, representing the Lakers against the Rockets, Celtics, and Hawks. His perseverance stood out, and he ended his games with notable performances. Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized the team’s long-term developmental plans for Bronny, noting, "He is a development player. That's how we're looking at Bronny. He's certainly going to spend time with the Lakers. He will spend time as well in the G League."
Elsewhere, the LA Clippers and Paul George were unable to come to terms on a contract extension, resulting in George signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers had offered George a deal without a no-trade clause, starting at around $60 million for two years. However, discussions broke down as the Clippers aimed to maintain future cap flexibility. Clippers president Lawrence Frank commented on the difficulty of team building under such circumstances, saying, "Team building is completely different when your best players are in their 30s and with the second apron. What happens is all the team-building tools are completely stripped away and you're stuck."
On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets are reportedly interested in acquiring Russell Westbrook as a veteran backup point guard. This potential acquisition could add a layer of depth and experience to the Nuggets' roster.
In unfortunate news, DaRon Holmes II suffered a torn Achilles in summer league play, sidelining him for the upcoming season. Holmes, who was the 22nd overall pick in the draft, had an impressive college career at Dayton, averaging 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by his team.
The new two-day draft format has received positive feedback from NBA executives, who appreciated the additional time to regroup after the first night. This change has allowed for better decision-making and numerous trade scenarios. One executive praised the format, saying, "Having the ability to regroup after the first night and then meet most of the following day created a great process for our group in determining our next moves." Another executive highlighted the importance of this approach, particularly in the context of luxury tax implications, stating, "This is how billion-dollar businesses like ours should be operated. Especially in this new world of staring down the second apron with tens of millions of dollars in potential luxury tax implications on the line."
As the Las Vegas summer league continues to unfold, these performances will undoubtedly shape opinions about the 2024 draft class. What is clear, however, is that the new draftees are determined to silence their critics and make their mark in the NBA.