The initial week of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has been a showcase of immense potential, with aspiring talents making their mark as they vie for a spot in the 2024 NBA draft. Contrary to the notion of this being a historically weak class, many rookies have seized the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and preparedness.
Among the standout performers on Day 1 were Zacharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Matas Buzelis, and Bub Carrington. Of these, Reed Sheppard has particularly turned heads with his innate feel for the game and extraordinary confidence. As one NBA executive observed, "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."
Not only have younger rookies shown promise, but older rookies such as Dalton Knecht, Tristan da Silva, and Terrence Shannon Jr. have also proven their readiness. Additionally, long-term prospects like Tidjane Salaun, Cody Williams, and Kel'el Ware exhibited a surprising level of preparedness, defying expectations.
The criticism of the draft class has not gone unnoticed among the players. Ron Holland II, in particular, voiced his frustration, saying, "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."
Among the notable names, Bronny James has had a mixed showing in the summer league, representing the Lakers against teams like the Rockets, Celtics, and Hawks. Despite some ups and downs, Bronny exhibited perseverance and concluded his games with significant performances. Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized the team's long-term developmental approach 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."
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers and Paul George faced a significant contractual impasse. Unable to agree on terms for a contract extension, George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers had offered a deal devoid of a no-trade clause, commencing at around $60 million for two years, but negotiations stalled as the Clippers sought to maintain future cap flexibility. Clippers president Lawrence Frank candidly remarked, "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."
In Denver, the Nuggets are reportedly interested in acquiring Russell Westbrook to serve as a veteran backup point guard, adding another layer of intrigue to the summer league narrative. However, not all news was positive. DaRon Holmes II, the 22nd overall pick in the draft, suffered a torn Achilles during summer league play, sidelining him for the upcoming season. Holmes had shown great promise at Dayton, averaging 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds, making his injury a significant setback.
Amid these developments, the NBA's new two-day draft format has received positive feedback from league executives. The additional time allowed teams to regroup after the first night, enabling better decision-making and numerous trade scenarios. Although some front office members felt that a longer second round with more time between picks would be beneficial, the general consensus was that the reset between days facilitated better internal and external conversations. One executive highlighted, "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."
As the Las Vegas Summer League progresses, these performances and developments will continue to shape opinions about the 2024 draft class. The added structure and strategic planning afforded by the new draft format underscore the evolving dynamics of team building in modern NBA basketball. Another executive summed it up succinctly: "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."
The early displays of talent in Las Vegas indicate that the journey to the 2024 NBA draft will be one to watch, with young athletes poised to redefine expectations and carve out their place in the league's future.