Only 16 days separate players from NBA Draft Night to the Summer League. Hoopers end up travelling from the cityscapes and bridges of Brooklyn to the desert heat of 43 degrees Celsius and pumping air conditioning units of Las Vegas. Today, the first slew of 76 games kicked off spanning 11 days that will feature the 2026 NBA rookie class and undrafted talent that will be vying for final spots on an NBA roster.
Summer League is a breeding ground of hope. It’s where players are proving their worth one last time before final rosters are locked. It’s where, with any luck, questions get answered – or perhaps not. Will an x-factor be unearthed? Which team will show the most promise? Which teams can find an extra edge?
Most of the intrigue will be centred around: who’s going to deliver this year in Las Vegas? For the basketball fan, there’s usually something in it for everyone.
Here’s what we’ll be watching:
AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson Showdown
If there’s one game you should watch it definitely has to be the Wizards-Jazz match-up tonight at 9 p.m. ET. The much anticipated showdown between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson – the No. 1 and No. 2 picks – will be sure to attract a sold out crowd. It’ll be our first look at Dybantsa; Peterson has already played twice and looked riveting, shooting 28 points, followed by 25 points and 12 assists.
NBA Finals Spurs-Knicks Rematch
It won’t have the same build up as the 2026 NBA Finals, but the Spurs will take on the Knicks in a rematch of sorts on July 11. The Spurs will be looking to see what Carter Bryant can produce, given he played 22 of the 23 playoff games but only averaged 8.5 minutes a game. Can he expand his overall game? For the Knicks, 24-year-old Dillon Jones looms large as a talent underexplored. He’s already won two championships – one with the Thunder, one with the Knicks albeit on limited minutes – and will be using Summer League to refine his game as a two-way role player: knocking down threes and defending.
Welcome back, Cam Reddish and Brandon Boston Jr.
Just over a year ago Cam Reddish was waived by the Lakers after averaging 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds in 33 games. Then he had stints in Lithuania, Austin Spurs, and San Diego Clippers. Now with Orlando, he’s entering his first Summer League, even though it’s been seven years since he was drafted with pick 10 by Atlanta. Reddish is a proven wing defender who fits the profile of what the Magic are looking for, but he needs to shake his inconsistent scoring tag.
Also making a comeback as a free agent is Brandon Boston Jr. He underwent ankle surgery last April, then played a season for Fenerbahçe in Turkey. He’s running with the Bucks Summer League team and dropped 17 and 18 points in his first two outings, but could find it difficult to land a standard contract in Milwaukee given the Bucks’ roster crunch. Someone rebuilding and light on scoring options might give him a second chance.
While not classed as a comeback – more of a reset – 76ers power forward Johni Broome, who once dropped 50 points on the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, suffered a torn meniscus in February this year. He played limited minutes in Philly’s playoff run, but Summer League should be his first real chance to put together a body of work he can showcase.
The Lakers Are LeBron Free
On June 30 LeBron James announced he’ll play elsewhere. This move ended eight years in L.A. No more roster pressure on which role players belong next to LeBron. Without the focus on LeBron, this will be arguably the cleanest evaluation the Lakers will run in years. Players like first-round pick Cameron Carr, second-year forward Adou Thiero, and two-way players AK Okereke and Peter Suder get an opportunity to shine. Robbie Avila, aka “Milk Chamberlain,” is an undrafted free agent getting viral attention on TikTok and is developing a cult following. He’s a wildcard to watch who could provide depth at the centre position. And shoutout to Jon Elmore: the 30-year-old picked to provide a solid frame and help run the offense.
The Fandom Around Pacers’ Undersized Guard, Yuki Kawamura
The 5-foot-7 dynamo has been able to pique the interest of a couple of NBA teams over the last few years. Despite winning the MVP and Rookie of the Year in Japan’s B.League, he went undrafted.Considered small by most NBA teams, he was still able to convert a two-way deal with the Grizzlies, and then the Bulls, while becoming a fan favourite at both teams. He’s got one million followers on Instagram, which is staggering from a fringe-international player – it’s more than Championship Knicks Swiss Army knife Josh Hart. There’s a clip of Kawamura boxing out LeBron under the basket, which got 7.3 million views. The entire country of Japan is behind him. And if you’re a fan of basketball, you’ll admire his genuine flair as a passer and his fearless attacking play.
Memphis Grizzlies and the Cam Boozer Era Has Begun
Make no mistake, this is Cam Boozer’s team. The Grizzlies said goodbye to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. They have reset their franchise, and Boozer is now at the centre of the rebuild. Summer League isn’t some side event for Memphis. They’ll be looking to evaluate their prospects – like Karim Lopez – to see what the fit will be like with Boozer. Cedric Coward, a 22-year-old wing who missed last year’s Summer League with a shoulder injury, is one to watch. Last year he averaged 13.6 points with 5.9 rebounds shooting at 47.1 percent from the field. Given this will be his first off-season with a clean bill of health, it will be interesting to watch if he can grow into a bigger role.
What To Know About Las Vegas Summer League
- A guide to the format and rules of Summer League: This year the league will introduce a one free-throw rule: any foul that results in one, two, or three free throws will instead result in one single free-throw attempt.
- Games: All 30 NBA teams will play at least five games, including the first four from July 9-16. Games will be played at Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on UNLV’s campus.
- Watch: All 76 games will be on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and Prime Video. The TV schedule is here.
- Semifinals: July 18th
- Championship Game: July 19th
- Here’s a list of Summer League Champions and MVPs (Charlotte Hornets are the reigning champions of 2025).
