2025 NBA summer league: Top players to watch on all 30 teams

Each the California Traditional and Salt Lake Metropolis summer time leagues have wrapped up, so it is time to deal with the primary occasion of the offseason: NBA 2K26 Las Vegas Summer League.

The 11-day match begins Thursday and runs by way of July 20, with a champion topped on the finish.

The occasion might be headlined by the contemporary faces of the 2025 draft class, in addition to different latest draftees similar to Bronny James, Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, and unsigned veterans on the lookout for open spots on rosters throughout the league. Prime 2025 picks Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe will all be in motion Thursday as video games tip off.

After every group performs 4 video games, the highest 4 groups will advance to the playoffs. The 2 semifinal video games will happen July 19, with the championship sport July 20. The opposite 26 groups will play a fifth sport between July 18-20.

With the match schedule out of the best way, it is time for ESPN analysts Kevin Pelton and Jeremy Woo to have a look at the highest gamers to look at on every summer time league group.

Kobe Bufkin | SG
2023 draft: Spherical 1, No. 15

This is a vital 12 months for Bufkin, who is sort of seven months faraway from season-ending shoulder surgery going into his third NBA season. The guard out of Michigan entered the league in 2023 with actual promise, however he has appeared in simply 27 regular-season video games. The 21-year-old has a key window to solidify himself as a part of Atlanta’s future, with the Hawks retooling, and led by a brand new entrance workplace that did not draft him. Bufkin might be underneath the microscope as he returns to motion. — Woo

Hugo Gonzalez | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 28

Gonzalez is strolling into a very good scenario in Boston because the group’s lone first-round decide in a 12 months when there might be loads of vacant wing minutes. After he averaged 10 minutes per sport at Actual Madrid final season, the NBA will now get a for much longer take a look at the 19-year-old, who is understood for his motor and will enter a a lot better alternative to play and develop. We’ll see how Gonzalez fares when the coaching wheels come off, however he might become an necessary position participant for the Celtics in time. — Woo

Egor Demin | PG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 8

The headliner of the Nets’ five-man draft class, Demin would be the most intriguing in his new scenario, with Brooklyn presumably planning to coax as a lot as they will out of him as an on-ball playmaker. Anticipate him to rotate these reps with the Nets’ different rookies, however Demin’s passing imaginative and prescient ought to shine in what’s usually a wide-open on-court atmosphere in Vegas. I am curious how he’ll look on this context, and I would like to see Demin play in inventive pick-and-roll with fellow Nets draft classmate Danny Wolf. — Woo

Kon Knueppel | SF
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 4

Knueppel presumably would be the focus of the Hornets’ Las Vegas operation, giving him a chance to showcase his glorious capturing (64.8 true capturing share at Duke) and the breadth of his capability as a secondary playmaker. He figures to be one of the vital superior rookies out of the gate, and this needs to be a pleasant platform for him to stand up loads of photographs. — Woo

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Kon Knueppel’s prime performs that led him to the Hornets

Take a look at a few of Kon Knueppel’s prime performs at Duke as he heads to the Hornets with the fourth general decide.

Matas Buzelis | SF
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 11

Buzelis presumably will not play greater than a sport or two in Las Vegas, however his second-half emergence (13 factors on 46% area objective/36% 3-pointers/83% free throw splits publish All-Star) was an enormous growth for the Bulls, who’re set to more and more lean on him over the following few seasons. He ought to have loads of alternatives to attain on a summer time league roster that is kind of constructed round him. I am additionally fairly interested by 2025 No. 12 general decide Noa Essengue, who provides Chicago a second massive, versatile ahead to construct round. — Woo

Jaylon Tyson | SG
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 20

The Cavaliers solely made two second-round alternatives this 12 months, that means final 12 months’s twentieth general decide (Tyson) is the headliner of their summer time league group. He was referred to as upon sparingly on an excellent Cleveland group in 2024-25, however he may very well be ticketed for extra of a task subsequent season after the Cavs traded Isaac Okoro to the Bulls for Lonzo Ball. Tyson’s positional measurement and offensive chops ought to stand out in Vegas. — Woo

Cooper Flagg | SF
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 1

Borrowing from a playbook he used with 2013 first-round decide Giannis Antetokounmpo whereas teaching the Milwaukee Bucks, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned, “I wish to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts,” about summer time plans for Flagg. “Having the ability to run the present, with the ability to play the two, play the three.” An influence ahead at Duke, Flagg must play the perimeter within the NBA due to the Mavericks’ crowded frontcourt. We’ll get a primary take a look at how Kidd’s plan goes in Las Vegas. — Pelton

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What Cooper Flagg brings to the Dallas Mavericks

Take a look at one of the best performs from Duke freshman Cooper Flagg as he’s taken by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 1 general decide.

DaRon Holmes II | PF
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 22 by Phoenix

The largest disappointment of final 12 months’s summer time motion was Holmes suffering an Achilles rupture late in his Denver debut. Subsequent surgical procedure and rehab price Holmes his first NBA season. Now, the 2024 first-round decide is able to get again on the court docket. Holmes’ capability to provide as a rookie might show particularly necessary if the Nuggets cannot persuade Jonas Valanciunas to go an offer from Greek club Panathinaikos days after Denver dealt for the veteran to again up three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. — Pelton

Ron Holland II | SF
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 5

Holland performed a restricted position in a crowded Pistons wing rotation as a rookie, however ought to have an opportunity to interrupt by way of shifting ahead, with Detroit choosing him larger than most anticipated in 2024. Showcasing himself at summer time league, the place he’ll be the first identify on the Pistons roster sheet, would symbolize a step in that course, notably if his shotmaking (28.3% from 3 final season) can enhance. — Woo

L.J. Cryer | PG
2025: Undrafted

An All-America decide who almost led Houston to final 12 months’s nationwide title, Cryer is the form of undrafted rookie who might excel in Las Vegas along with his capturing capability. Cryer rated within the prime 50 of my predraft projections on the power of his 40% profession NCAA 3-point capturing. He ought to have loads of alternative on an Exhibit 10 contract with a Warriors roster that options solely two of the group’s personal draft picks, second-rounders Will Richard (whose Florida group beat Cryer’s Houston within the nationwide championship) and Alex Toohey. — Pelton

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L.J. Cryer drains triple vs. San Antonio Spurs

L.J. Cryer drains triple vs. San Antonio Spurs

Reed Sheppard | PG/SG
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 3

The belle of final 12 months’s summer time league, Sheppard joined Kel’el Ware of the Miami Heat as the 2 rookies named to the All-Summer season League first group after averaging 20 factors per sport, 5.3 assists per sport and a pair of.8 steals per sport. Alas, Sheppard hardly ever translated that to NBA motion as a rookie, logging simply 654 minutes. In consequence, he’s again to earn extra enjoying time in Yr 2 on a Rockets group that’s now firmly a championship contender. — Pelton

Taelon Peter | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 2, No. 54

One of many draft’s true sleeper picks, Peter was the Division I chief in true capturing (73.5%) final season at Liberty, however did so whereas enjoying simply 23 minutes per sport off the bench. Indiana drafted him late within the second spherical, and it will be intriguing to see how he adjusts to an enormous leap in degree. Peter is a superb run-jump athlete, however he’ll must protect a few of his elite effectivity towards higher competitors, with summer time league a helpful proving floor. — Woo

Kobe Brown | PF
2023 draft: Spherical 1, No. 30

It is a pivotal summer time for Brown, who has performed 666 minutes over two seasons for the reason that Clippers drafted him within the second spherical in 2023 — the identical spot at No. 30 the place they chose Penn State heart Yanic Konan Niederhauser this 12 months. With the Clippers prioritizing flexibility, they may not be inclined to train a $4.8 million 2026-27 group possibility on Brown’s contract by Oct. 31, except he demonstrates he generally is a rotation contributor. — Pelton

Bronny James | SG
2024 draft: Spherical 2, No. 55

A lot of James’ growth as a rookie occurred out of sight, as he logged simply 181 NBA minutes. James noticed much more motion for the G League’s South Bay Lakers, combining for 18.6 PPG, 4.8 APG and 4.6 rebounds per sport over 18 video games. After struggling along with his effectivity within the G League Tip-Off Match, James was much better within the common season, making 38% of his 3s. These numbers are what the Lakers will wish to see this summer time and what might finally make James an NBA contributor. — Pelton

GG Jackson | PF
2023 draft: Spherical 2, No. 45

The Grizzlies seemingly will not have No. 11 decide Cedric Coward, who’s uncertain to play whereas persevering with to rehab December shoulder surgical procedure, per Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian. Memphis’ 2024 second-round picks, Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells, might be enjoying regardless of Wells ending third within the NBA Rookie of the Yr voting. But I am most excited to see the 20-year-old Jackson, nonetheless the youngest participant on the Grizzlies’ roster by a large margin, after he performed 29 video games in his second NBA marketing campaign as a result of damage. Each Jackson and Wells had 20 factors every in Saturday’s debut. — Pelton

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Jazz squeak by Grizzlies as GG Jackson’s tying try solely good for two

GG Jackson II tries to tie the sport with a 3-pointer, however his foot is on the road, securing a 112-111 victory for the Jazz.

Kasparas Jakucionis | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 20

Jakucionis was a stunning draft-night faller and have become a pleasant worth snag for the Warmth, giving them the kind of playmaking guard their roster lacked. He acquired off to a poor begin within the California Traditional, however higher days are forward. He ought to see loads of alternatives to create in Las Vegas and have a path to contribute finally, with Miami persevering with to development youthful and solely Tyler Herro, new addition Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell clearly forward within the backcourt hierarchy. — Woo

Mark Sears | PG
2025 draft: Undrafted

The Bucks haven’t got a ton of backcourt depth after shifting on from Damian Lillard, relying totally on veterans with cheap contracts to piecemeal these minutes as at the moment constituted. Sears, a two-way signee out of Alabama, has a pathway to back-end roster worth if he could make sufficient photographs and produce this summer time despite his lack of measurement. He ought to presumably get the keys to the summer time league offense as a place to begin. — Woo

Rob Dillingham | PG
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 8 by San Antonio

Nickeil Alexander-Walker‘s departure for the Hawks creates a chance for a number of of Minnesota’s younger perimeter gamers who will play in Las Vegas, together with Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark. Of that group, Dillingham noticed the least motion as a rookie within the 2025 playoffs (16 complete minutes after getting back from an ankle sprain) and has one of the best probability of filling in for the ageing Mike Conley at level guard. That makes this an necessary summer time for Dillingham. — Pelton

Jeremiah Fears | PG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 7

The Pelicans drafting Fears within the prime 10 was considerably overshadowed by their subsequent trade sending out a 2026 first-round decide to maneuver up from No. 23 to No. 13 to additionally add Maryland heart Derik Queen. Though Queen’s talent set won’t shine within the chaotic fashion of summer time hoops, the atmosphere needs to be properly suited to Fears, whose 17.1 PPG ranked fifth amongst one-and-done picks and 4.1 APG ranked fourth. — Pelton

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Jeremiah Fears’ greatest performs that led him to the Pelicans

Take a look at Jeremiah Fears’ prime performs at Oklahoma because the Pelicans choose him with the seventh general decide.

Tyler Kolek | PG
2024 draft: Spherical 2, No. 34

At the same time as a excessive second-round decide, Kolek performed sparingly off the Knicks’ bench final season. His pathway to minutes continues to be restricted, with Jordan Clarkson figuring into the depth combine with Deuce McBride, however Kolek ought to get to run the group in Las Vegas and make a case for himself. He is a top quality playmaker who deserves extra alternative, however would not supply a lot from a bodily perspective working the second unit. — Woo

Nikola Topic | PG
2024 draft: Spherical 1, No. 12

Greater than a 12 months after being drafted by the Thunder within the first spherical whereas rehabbing from ACL surgical procedure, Matter made his first look in an Oklahoma Metropolis jersey over the weekend on the Salt Lake Metropolis Summer season League. He had 14 factors Saturday, but additionally seven turnovers. The Thunder will not have this 12 months’s No. 15 decide, Thomas Sorber. Sorber underwent toe surgical procedure in February that ended his lone school season, and he’s nonetheless rehabbing. — Pelton

Jase Richardson | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 25

The Magic acquired good worth with Richardson falling to them, giving them a viable youthful substitute for Cole Anthony’s bench minutes. Richardson can deal with each guard spots, however his measurement profiles greatest on the level, a task he did not play full time at Michigan State. Orlando will seemingly wish to maximize his ballhandling reps, and this needs to be a very good atmosphere during which to evaluate how prepared he’s to run a second unit. He may very well be an important bench participant for the Magic as they push to contend within the East. — Woo

VJ Edgecombe | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 3

Edgecombe, in his Utah summer time league debut, seemed each bit the explosive and clean downhill scorer the Sixers wanted him to be. He did miss the following two video games in Utah with a minor thumb damage, however he may have an enormous runway to create offense and get to the rim, presuming he is lively in Vegas. It is already evident that NBA spacing will make it even tougher to remain in entrance of him with a head of steam. The constructive first sport made it straightforward to grasp why Philly prioritized him within the predraft course of. — Woo

Khaman Maluach | C
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 10

It is a new day in Phoenix, the place the Suns’ summer time roster is stuffed with draft picks, together with three from this 12 months’s draft. None is extra necessary than Maluach, who at No. 10 was Phoenix’s highest addition by way of the draft since Jalen Smith in 2020. Regardless of additionally including heart Mark Williams on draft evening, the Suns are hoping Maluach can contribute as a rookie along with his defensive versatility and above-the-rim ending. — Pelton

Yang Hansen | C
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 16

Yang really had summer time league expertise earlier than being drafted No. 16 final month. He joined the China nationwide group within the California Traditional final 12 months at age 19, averaging 8.7 PPG and 5.0 RPG in three video games. Each turnovers (4.7 per sport) and fouls (4.0 per sport in 20.9 minutes) have been a difficulty for Yang, and we’ll be watching how a lot he has improved in between summer time league outings. — Pelton

Nique Clifford | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 24

Clifford is kind of acquainted with the Thomas & Mack Heart court docket, having performed towards UNLV within the school basketball common season, and averaged 25.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 4.3 APG there as Colorado State gained the Mountain West title on the convention match in March. These performances helped solidify Clifford as a first-round decide by the Kings. — Pelton

Dylan Harper | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 2

Let’s hope we’ll see the No. 2 decide in Las Vegas after he missed the California Traditional as a result of what San Antonio summer time coach Mike Noyes termed a “minor” groin damage. Harper would get the keys to the Spurs’ offense this summer time in a means that will not be potential in the course of the common season, when he fits up alongside De’Aaron Fox and reigning NBA Rookie of the Yr Stephon Castle. Fellow lottery decide Carter Bryant did play over the weekend, however shouldn’t be as superior in his growth. — Pelton

Collin Murray-Boyles | PF
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 9

Murray-Boyles was a polarizing participant within the scouting neighborhood over the previous 12 months, providing fairly a little bit of manufacturing and apparent smarts and defensive versatility. However he was additionally missing a dependable jumper with common measurement for a four-man — and doing it in a dropping context at South Carolina. How he takes to what needs to be a extra conducive group assemble needs to be enjoyable to see in Vegas, in addition to how the Raptors resolve to make use of him on the offensive finish: How a lot they give the impression of being to play by way of him as a passer and whether or not he is assured taking 3s are two issues to look at for. — Woo

Ace Bailey | SF
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 5

After producing a number of dialogue main as much as the draft due to his choice to not work out for any group, Bailey landed in Utah with out incident. Now we’ll begin to see whether or not Bailey merited all the eye after a season at Rutgers, the place he confirmed nice strengths in shotmaking and rim safety for his measurement, however poor shot choice and playmaking for teammates. His debut, during which Bailey shot 1-of-5 on non-paint 2-pointers, wasn’t encouraging in that regard. — Pelton

Tre Johnson | SG
2025 draft: Spherical 1, No. 6

Johnson figures to refill the field rating in summer time league as one of many draft’s extra polished perimeter scorers and a possible centerpiece of the Wizards’ growing roster. The aspect of his sport to observe might be his playmaking; he is seemingly to attract loads of consideration from defenses, however making the correct selections and changing into a extra prepared passer are the following steps in his development. Washington has essentially the most loaded roster in Vegas, that includes 5 first-round picks from 2024 along with Johnson and Will Riley, however Johnson figures to have a featured place within the Wizards’ offense, each this week and are available fall. — Woo