Summer League is basically the wildest two weeks of the NBA calendar. You’ve got these hungry rookies playing like their lives depend on it, mixed with second-year guys trying to prove they aren't "busts" yet, all under the blinding neon lights of Las Vegas. It's a mess. Honestly, it's a beautiful, high-stakes mess where shooting 2-for-15 is somehow both a tragedy and a "learning experience."
People obsess over nba summer league picks because we're all desperate for hope. We want to believe our team’s front office actually knew what they were doing in June. But here's the thing: Vegas lies. It lies a lot. Remember when Kevin Knox looked like the next Kevin Durant? Or when Anthony Bennett actually looked... okay? Exactly.
The Cooper Flagg Rollercoaster and the "Panic" That Wasn't
Let’s talk about the 2025 class because, man, it was a ride. Everyone was waiting for Cooper Flagg to step onto that floor for the Dallas Mavericks. The hype was suffocating. And then, his debut happened.
He went 5-for-21.
Social media, naturally, lost its mind. People were ready to call him a glorified role player before the first quarter was over. But that’s the trap of judging nba summer league picks on a single night in July. Flagg looked human, sure. He was pressing. But if you actually watched the tape, the defensive instincts were still there. He was erasing shots at the rim and moving his feet like a wing half his size.
Then came game two.
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Flagg dropped 31 points against the Spurs and suddenly everything was right in the world again. The Mavericks shut him down immediately after that. They’d seen enough. That’s the "Vegas Cycle." One day you’re a fraud, the next you’re the savior of the franchise. It’s exhausting, but it’s why we watch.
Why Some Late Picks Actually Outshine the Top Five
It’s easy to focus on the guys who wore the expensive suits on draft night. But the real value in tracking nba summer league picks often happens way down the board. Look at Kon Knueppel for the Charlotte Hornets. He wasn’t the biggest name, but he walked away with the Summer League Finals MVP.
Why? Because he played like a pro.
Knueppel didn’t care about flashy crossovers or hunting highlights for Instagram. He just made the right read, hit his open threes, and finished through contact. He averaged about 15.6 points and nearly 5 rebounds while leading Charlotte to a title. It wasn't "sexy" basketball, but it was effective. While the top-three picks were often trying to prove they could be "The Guy," Knueppel was proving he could actually help an NBA team win games right now.
Then you have someone like Yang Hansen. Portland took a swing on him at No. 16, and the dude was a walking highlight reel. His passing is just... different. For a 7-footer to have that kind of vision is rare. He had 10 points, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in his debut. Is he fast enough for the real NBA? Maybe not yet. But in the chaos of Summer League, he looked like a wizard.
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Players Who Forced Us to Pay Attention
- David Jones-Garcia (Spurs): This guy was a flamethrower. Honestly, he might have been the most consistent player in the whole tournament. He was shooting nearly 60% from deep at one point. He secured a two-way contract because he simply refused to miss.
- Tre Johnson (Wizards): Washington fans needed some good news, and Johnson gave it to them. He’s got that "pro scorer" feel where every bucket looks effortless. 19.5 points per game isn't a fluke, even in Vegas.
- Kasparas Jakucionis (Heat): Miami does it again. They find these guys who just fit their "culture" perfectly. He had a 24-point explosion that had Heat Twitter convinced they found the next Tyler Herro.
The Sophomore Jump: It’s Not Just for Rookies
We tend to forget that Summer League is also for the guys who just finished their first year. These are the players who should dominate. They’ve spent a year in an NBA weight room. they’ve eaten NBA meals. If a second-year player struggles in Vegas, that’s when the real red flags start waving.
Kyle Filipowski is a great example. He looked like he was playing against middle schoolers at times. He averaged nearly 30 points and made it look easy. That’s exactly what you want to see. On the flip side, you have guys who still look lost despite having a year of experience.
It's a harsh reality. If you can't dominate a bunch of undrafted rookies when you've already had a taste of the league, what are you doing?
How to Actually Scout These Games Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re trying to figure out which nba summer league picks are actually going to matter when October rolls around, stop looking at the box score. Seriously. Put it down.
Look for the little things.
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Does a player know where to be on defense? Do they make the "one more" pass when they’re open? Are they getting to their spots, even if the shot doesn't go in? Most of these guys are playing with teammates they met four days ago. The chemistry is non-existent. The coaching is basic.
A lot of the high scoring we see is just a result of the "Hero Ball" environment. The real keepers are the guys who can play within a system. That’s why someone like Will Richard for the Warriors stood out. He wasn't the leading scorer, but he played the "3-and-D" role perfectly. He did exactly what Steve Kerr is going to ask him to do in the regular season. That's worth more than a 30-point game where a guy takes 25 shots.
What’s Next for the 2025 Class?
Now that the Vegas dust has settled, the real work starts. The transition from Summer League to training camp is a massive jump. Many of these standouts will spend the first half of the season in the G League. Others, like Flagg or Johnson, will be thrown straight into the fire.
Keep an eye on the injury reports. A lot of teams use "soreness" as an excuse to shut down their top picks early to avoid a freak accident. It’s boring, but it’s smart business.
To get the most out of your Summer League analysis, try comparing a player's Vegas stats to their college efficiency. If a guy was a 30% shooter in college and suddenly goes 50% in Vegas, believe the college numbers. Shooting variance is real. However, if a guy’s rebounding and block rates translate, that’s usually a sign of a real NBA-level athlete.
Focus on the physical tools and the decision-making. Everything else is just noise.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the "Condensed" Games: Don't sit through four quarters of sloppy turnovers. Watch the 10-minute recaps on YouTube to see how players move off the ball.
- Check G League Rosters: Many "Summer League stars" will end up with teams like the South Bay Lakers or Santa Cruz Warriors. Track their progress there to see if the Vegas performance was a fluke.
- Follow Local Beat Writers: National media loves the big names, but local writers for teams like the Hornets or Jazz will give you the real scoop on how a rookie is fitting into the locker room.