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The dust has settled slightly in Las Vegas after the opening weekend of the 2025 NBA Summer League, where the newest draft class finally got to test their mettle against professional competition. Following preliminary action in San Francisco and Salt Lake City, all 30 teams converged on Sin City, bringing with them the hopes and hypes of the future of the league.
The Top Picks Take Center Stage
Unsurprisingly, all eyes were fixed on the top of the draft board, particularly No. 1 overall pick **Cooper Flagg**. The phenom, now a Dallas Maverick, had a typical rookie welcome in his debut against the Lakers, struggling with his shot. But as often happens with highly touted prospects, he quickly adjusted, bouncing back with a dominant 31-point performance against fellow top prospect **Dylan Harper** and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Mavericks brass intentionally put the ball in Flagg`s hands, forcing him into uncomfortable lead initiator roles – a stark contrast to his collegiate usage. The result? A tired but seemingly more comfortable young player by game two, demonstrating good reads, creating opportunities despite modest assist numbers, and showing resilience against intense full-court pressure. While Dallas opted to shut him down after just two games, Flagg certainly left an indelible mark, proving he`s not afraid of the bright lights or the ball hogging required to figure things out.
No. 2 pick **Dylan Harper** of the Spurs made his debut against Flagg after missing earlier action with a minor injury. Limited minutes didn`t stop him from showcasing flashes of the talent that made him the consensus second-best prospect. His defensive instincts were on display with a notable transition block, and his knack for drawing contact was evident at the free-throw line. The obvious question mark, as projected pre-draft, remains his outside shooting – a hurdle he`ll need to clear to fully integrate with San Antonio`s core veterans.
Beyond the Lottery: Promising Flashes and Raw Talent
Summer League isn`t just about the top few picks; it`s a proving ground for the entire draft class and undrafted hopefuls. The Chicago Bulls` No. 12 pick, 18-year-old **Noa Essengue**, provided a perfect example of the “project” label. His initial outing was, let`s say, a steep learning curve, complete with fumbled dribbles and surprised reactions to the physicality. He improved in his second game, thankfully, offering a sigh of relief for the Bulls, but it`s clear he`s a long-term investment, likely not featuring prominently in the immediate future.
In contrast, the Sacramento Kings` first pick under their new front office regime, **Nique Clifford**, looked remarkably ready. Labeled a versatile “Swiss Army knife” wing, he immediately lived up to the billing, stuffing the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assists. Clifford demonstrated the feel for the game and simple, effective plays that suggest he might be ready to contribute from day one, assuming the Kings can sort out their wing rotation logjam. He attacked the rim, defended multiple positions, and did the little things that coaches love – definitely one to watch.
Other rookies also caught the eye. **Liam McNeeley** of the Charlotte Hornets, taken late in the first round, showed a promising two-way skillset in his debut, backing it up with another solid outing in his second game. Miami Heat point guard **Kasparas Jakucionis** had a rough start at the California Classic but looked like a completely different, much more confident player in Las Vegas, showcasing impressive pace, feel, and shooting touch, though his defense remains a key area for development.
Orlando Magic`s trade-up pick at No. 32, **Noah Penda**, flashed potential with rebounding and steals but also showed his rawness with turnovers – a common Summer League tale of trying to do too much. Minnesota Timberwolves center **Joan Beringer**, picked 17th despite only playing organized basketball for four years, immediately demonstrated his freakish physical gifts with multiple blocks on his first possession. At 6-foot-11 with a massive wingspan and fluid movement, he`s a high-upside project learning under the watchful eye of fellow Frenchman and defensive guru Rudy Gobert – perhaps the best possible apprenticeship.
San Antonio`s No. 14 pick, **Carter Bryant**, while struggling with his shot, earned praise for his defensive effort, particularly when matched up against Flagg. His ability to stay in front and disrupt plays on the perimeter suggests a pathway to earning minutes, even as his offensive game develops.
Beyond the Rookies: Unexpected Gems and Growth
Summer League isn`t exclusively a rookie show. Undrafted players fighting for roster spots often provide some of the most compelling narratives. **David Jones-Garcia**, an undrafted forward with the Spurs, has been an absolute “bucket-getter,” lighting up the scoreboard consistently in both California and Las Vegas. Dubbed as someone who “belongs on an NBA court” by Spurs staff, he`s making a strong case for one of San Antonio`s open two-way roster spots.
Second-year players also use Summer League to showcase development. Houston Rockets guard **Reed Sheppard**, specifically focused on improving his defense this offseason, showed tangible results. With the Rockets` brass watching courtside, Sheppard`s hard work on that end of the floor was evident, leading to steals and blocks that eventually ignited his well-known offensive game. For a player looking to earn significant minutes on a suddenly competitive team, validating the organization`s belief through targeted improvement is key.
The first weekend in Las Vegas offered intriguing glimpses into the future of the NBA. While Summer League results and statistics must always be taken with a grain of salt (or perhaps a whole shaker), the initial impressions, the flashes of potential, and the clear areas for development provide a valuable early look at the league`s newest talent pool.
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