Who to watch in Summer League: Eastern Conference

By Raphielle Johnson

As is always the case with the NBA, it doesn’t take much time for the league to transition from the end of one season to the beginning of the next. With the draft completed and many of the significant moves in free agency made, the next stop on the calendar is the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, with games beginning on Friday, July 12. As has been the case in recent years, all 30 teams will be represented, playing five games apiece, with the championship matchup scheduled for July 22.

Making concrete determinations based on summer league play is reckless, as most players in action are simply fighting for an invitation to training camp. But that doesn’t mean fantasy managers should overlook what they see, from production to the roles that players are assigned (and how those roles will either align or differ from what will happen once the games truly matter in the winter). Below is a look at each Eastern Conference team and a few players fantasy managers should watch in preparation for draft season in late summer/fall.

Atlantic Division

Boston (Summer League roster)

The NBA champion Celtics have five players who spent time with the team last season on their summer league roster. However, only Neemias Queta (28 games) appeared in more than 20 games for Joe Mazzulla in 2023-24. Of the five “returnees,” 2023 second-round pick Jordan Walsh and trade deadline addition Jaden Springer are worth watching. Walsh has the size, length, and athleticism to be an impactful 3-and-D wing, but Boston having Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum makes it challenging to crack the rotation meaningfully. Springer faces a similar roadblock at guard in the form of starters Derrick White and Jrue Holiday and reserve Payton Pritchard.

Queta’s contract for next season is guaranteed, and Kristaps Porzingis’ absence after undergoing left leg surgery will open up the competition for frontcourt minutes behind Al Horford once training camp begins. However, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are also under contract, with their returns impacting Queta’s ability to earn more playing time. Also on the roster are 2024 draft picks Baylor…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-summer-league-eastern-conference-213037551.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-07-10 21:30:37

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