The first week of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has showcased the impressive potential of young talents vying for a spot in the 2024 NBA draft. Contrary to earlier speculations that the draft class might be historically weak, rookies have stepped up, proving these notions were exaggerated.
Day 1 in Las Vegas saw standout performances from newcomers like Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis, and Bub Carrington. Among them, Reed Sheppard has particularly captured attention with his extraordinary feel for the game and unwavering confidence. As one NBA executive remarked, "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."
In addition to the fresh faces, older rookies such as Dalton Knecht, Tristan da Silva, and Terrence Shannon Jr. demonstrated their preparedness, solidifying their readiness to compete at the highest level. Younger long-term prospects like Tidjane Salaun, Cody Williams, and Kel'el Ware also showed more readiness than initially anticipated, suggesting that the future of the league is in capable hands.
Ron Holland II voiced his frustration over the criticism of the draft class. "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," he said.
While many prospects thrived, Bronny James experienced mixed results during his summer league stint. Representing the Lakers against teams like the Rockets, Celtics, and Hawks, he displayed perseverance and ended his games with notable performances. Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized the team's long-term developmental plans for Bronny James, stating, "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."
Not every story in the summer league was about rookies and young talents. With the LA Clippers unable to come to terms on a contract extension with Paul George, the veteran signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers had offered George a deal starting at around $60 million for two years without a no-trade clause. However, negotiations broke down as the Clippers aimed to maintain future cap flexibility. Larry Frank, president of the Clippers, highlighted the challenges of team-building with an aging core: "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."
The Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, are reportedly interested in acquiring Russell Westbrook as a veteran backup point guard, enhancing their rotation with experience and leadership.
Unfortunately, not all news was positive. DaRon Holmes II suffered a torn Achilles during summer league play, sidelining him for the upcoming season. Holmes, the 22nd overall pick, had been averaging 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds at Dayton before his injury.
On a structural note, the new two-day draft format has received positive feedback from NBA executives. The additional time allowed teams to regroup after the first night, fostering better decisions and enabling numerous trade scenarios. One executive noted, "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." However, some front office members felt a longer second round with more time between picks would be beneficial.
Another executive echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the new format for billion-dollar organizations: "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 summer league continues to unfold, the performances in Las Vegas will further shape opinions about the 2024 draft class, dispelling any lingering doubts about its potential.