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•Get the NBA App•Comprehensive Insights on the Summer League
For NBA enthusiasts, the summer season is unofficially coming to an end with the conclusion of the NBA 2K26 Summer League held in Las Vegas, along with events in Utah and California this month. While there’s no rush to bid farewell to Labor Day Weekend, after witnessing the intense and sometimes chaotic exhibition matches in July, the anticipation for training camps starts to bubble up.
From a statistical viewpoint, the players who became lottery picks last month didn’t command the stage as expected. For instance, Cooper Flagg, the top pick by the Dallas Mavericks, finished only 14th in scoring amongst Summer League participants. Although Derik Queen of New Orleans claimed the second spot in rebounds, Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe ranked 38th in assists among lottery picks. Among those hitting more than a single 3-point attempt per game, Washington’s Tre Johnson led the pack at 46th.
However, glimpses of their future potential have sparked considerable enthusiasm. Here’s a summary of how the first 14 draft selections fared in their preliminary encounters with the NBA.
Statistics are sourced from Las Vegas unless stated otherwise:
> **20.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg**
It didn’t take long for the widely recognized No. 1 selection from June’s draft to become a strong contender for the Kia Rookie of the Year Wilt Chamberlain Trophy in the 2025-26 season. The versatile 6-foot-9 Maine native showcased impressive stats and delivered several electrifying dunks in Las Vegas. Currently, odds makers see him as the frontrunner for the league’s top rookie honors. It’s not just his existing skills that have Mavericks fans buzzing, but the potential growth he possesses.
> **16.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg**
Harper’s participation in July was cut short due to a groin injury, yet he validated his high draft stock in his two appearances. His first game coincided with Flagg’s second showing, where the son of former Bulls player Ron Harper contributed 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Harper has the potential to create a formidable trio with De’Aaron Fox and reigning Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, in San Antonio.
> **15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; 28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists (Salt Lake City)**
When you manage to stand out in just two summer games – one in Utah, another in Vegas – and have spectators comparing you to stars like Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler, and Victor Oladipo, it’s a testament to a strong debut. Despite a challenging 2-for-13 shooting performance from three-point range, his athleticism and all-around skills have enhanced the Sixers’ backcourt prospects alongside Tyrese Maxey and last year’s rookie, Jared McCain.
> **15.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 apg**
While fans beyond Charlotte may soon forget about the Hornets’ undefeated Summer League title and Knueppel’s 21-point MVP finale, expectations remain high for him. If he mirrors the trajectory of past Summer League standouts, he could spend the next decade as a reliable role player, if not more. The 6-foot-7 persistent shooter is making a case for even greater contributions, having quelled some concerns scouts initially had regarding his defense.
> **13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg (Salt Lake City)**
Due to a hip injury, Bailey played only two games during the Salt Lake City event and none in Vegas. Nonetheless, Jazz minority owner Dwyane Wade was impressed with his potential. He noted, despite rumors about Bailey’s preferred teams, that “you can’t overlook his talent – he’s one of those players who can walk into a gym and drop 30 points.”
> **19.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg**
Johnson displayed impressive shooting and scoring capability in his summer outings, connecting on 45.5% of his 3-point attempts and shooting 58.3% overall. Although he may not have been the top choice the Wizards anticipated before the lottery, Johnson’s knack for scoring might help him break through among Washington’s young roster.
> **17.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg**
Fears’ total of 13 assists against 25 turnovers didn’t hinder his determination, which is evident in the confidence showcased in the jersey that reads “Fears 0.” Quick and aggressive in his approach, he faces challenges finishing against stronger defenders, but Pelicans personnel believe he demonstrated improved decision-making over his five games in Las Vegas.
> **11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 apg**
Maluach earned himself a “3Gor” nickname in Las Vegas after shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc while averaging 7.7 attempts per game. Standing at a slender 6-foot-9, the former BYU player recognizes the need to bulk up and sees himself more as a playmaker than your typical point guard, though he can hurt defenses when working off screens.
> **10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg**
Murray-Boyles’ adaptability – offering a different twist for a 6-foot-7 player who’s slightly undersized for his role – along with his average of 3.0 offensive rebounds and impressive 57% shooting in the Las Vegas heat, has enthused the Raptors, with his most immediate contributions expected on the defensive end. Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic lauded the young forward’s lateral movement and penchant for creating deflections and steals that align well with the team’s desired playing style.
> **10.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.3 apg**
The label “Bad hands” might seem harsh, but many big men eventually shake off such descriptions. The Suns are optimistic that Maluach, a South Sudan native and graduate of the NBA Africa Academy, can do just that. Phoenix remains committed to his potential, reminding everyone that this 7-foot-2 project, who played one year at Duke, won’t celebrate his 19th birthday until September. Suns owner Mat Ishbia said, “People have unrealistic expectations. He’s only 18. I have a son who’s 14—he’s four years older. He’s still a teenager and has room to grow.”
> **DNP**
It’s somewhat ironic that a player who stirred excitement with his remarkable wingspan – 7-foot-2 on a 6-foot-6 frame – missed out entirely on summer play due to a shoulder injury that has plagued him since November. The Grizzlies envision Coward stepping into Desmond Bane’s shoes and are optimistic about another washington state talent, akin to last year’s rookie Jaylen Wells.
> **12.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.7 apg**
Essengue’s unforgettable moment in Las Vegas – one that should remain there – was his expression while attempting to face off against Indiana’s Johnny Furphy during a spectacular breakaway dunk. Yet the Bulls came away encouraged about their draft’s youngest player, confident he can develop the strength necessary for the rigors of the NBA.
> **14.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.3 apg**
The Pelicans can tell more tales of misfortune involving injuries than anyone in the league. They paid a significant price to acquire Queen from Atlanta on draft night, trading away their unprotected first-round pick for 2026. Following three consecutive double-doubles in Las Vegas (despite 17 turnovers), he suffered a ligament tear in his left wrist, necessitating surgery that will sideline him for three months or longer.
> **7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg; 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.5 apg (California Classic)**
With Harper sidelined, more attention shifted to Bryant, who quickly caught the eye of spectators and scouts with his defensive prowess. Offensively, he took some time to hit his stride but capped off strong play with a robust 16-point performance (including 4-for-6 from 3-point territory against Charlotte). Notably, he led all lottery picks with 10 blocks over the two Summer League events he participated in.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, explore his archives, and follow him on X.
