The 2025 Summer League gave fans and teams first impressions of most of this year’s incoming rookies, as well as serving as a showcase for several sophomores and younger veterans. In the wake of the event, Law Murray of the Athletic breaks down each rookie’s performance with an eye for what it could mean for the coming season.
Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), Dylan Harper (Spurs), and VJ Edgecombe (Sixers) were arguably the biggest names who participated in the Summer Leagues – headlined by the Las Vegas event – and despite some shooting efficiency concerns, all three gave their fans plenty of reason for excitement.
Flagg displayed a well-rounded on-ball skill set, Harper came up clutch in his last game to force overtime, and Edgecombe lived at the free throw line while displaying some advanced ball-screen offensive game, Murray observes.
The next three picks in the draft, Kon Knueppel (Hornets), Ace Bailey (Jazz), and Tre Johnson (Wizards), all showed off their shot-making capabilities, which will likely be what earns them regular playing time as rookies. Knueppel was rewarded for his play with the only All-Summer League Second Team selection among rookies, while Nique Clifford (Kings) was the lone rookie to make the First Team, thanks to his stellar all-around play.
Other rookies, such as Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors), Carter Bryant (Spurs), Joan Beringer (Timberwolves), and Brooks Barnhizer (Thunder) flashed tantalizing defensive capabilities, though Murray-Boyles and Bryant were inconsistent offensively, Murray notes.
Here are a few more leftover Summer League notes:
- John Hollinger of the Athletic takes a look at some of the low points of Summer League, including the worst ejection of the tournament, awarded to the Celtics‘ Jordan Walsh for not only having an excessive foul on the Heat’s Pelle Larsson, but for accidentally throwing him into Walsh’s own front office executives courtside.
- In terms of players who struggled, Hollinger mentions Khaman Maluach (Suns), who had difficulty catching lobs and other passes, Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans), who was unable to spearhead an offense and create for others, and the limitations of the four Nets rookies who suited up, among others.
- On the non-player side, Hollinger points to an abundance of turnovers caused by stepping out of bounds, as well as the prevalence of split-screen interviews that made following the games an exercise in patience and eagle-eyed vision.
When you draft for upside and potential. There isn’t going to be a lot of great balling. Welcome to the future …… 18-19 yr olds.
Teams who will have success now. Will be ones who draft talent for team needs. Best talent available . Doesn’t mean he will develop for your system.
Kuminga / Wiseman …….
This is where the game has really changed ….
Jeez…Get over it. Your the only person who believes that Kuminga is the only player in the history of the NBA that didn’t develop with the team that drafted them. Not every player becomes an All-Star…Jeez.
I can probably name over 100. But my statement is not about development. Its about drafting. I’m more about the game. Kuminga just happens to be the latest.
You could name over 100. But, you have to constantly complain about 1 player. Why? What is the obsession?
You should look up the word complaining. I don’t even complain about my Knicks. I just look for answers.
@ Giants. Fundamentals lacking…..welcome to the era of the GOATS, lols. Have you not noticed every good player in every sport is the goat these days? Apparently the game being quicker means better athletes though. Dumb as dog sh×× and couldn’t guard a parked car but hey. You keep listening to the TV or social media. Enjoy.
There will be more misses now. Very few Brons and Coppers around. It’s one reason I really like Queen this year. Kuming is what happens to teams who wait too long. Thunder understand that.
Kuminga is due for a $20-30M+ payday when the dust settles. Wiseman is barely hanging onto a roster spot. Not the same story…
Hay que ser pacientes con los nuevos jugadores para que se desarrollen y no apresurarlos porque es una nueva etapa
Like drafting Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors).
An undersized 4 who is basically another Dillon Brooks. They hope. For a team full of wings. This kind of player you can find and develop in 2nd rd. They passed on Maluach and Queen. Bigs you will never find in 2nd rd For him. Bigs they needed on roster, team needs. Just bad drafting. Something you can’t miss on today.
link to nba.com
Top 10 NBA draft picks of last five years …………
2020 — Edwards (Minny), Wiseman (GS), Ball (Char), Wiiliams (Chi), Okoro (Clev), Okongwu (Atl), Hayes (Det), Toppin (NY), Avdija (Was), Smith (Pho)
Only 4 players are still with their teams. And 3 of them have been in trade rumors except AE.
2021 — Cunningham (Detroit), Green (Hou), Mobley (Cle), Barnes (Tor), Suggs (Orl), Giddey (OKC), Kuminga (GS), Wagner (Orl), Mitchell (Sac), Williams (NOP)
6 players are still with their teams. Kuminga is on his way out.
2022 — Banchero (Orl), Holmgren (OKC), Smith Jr (Houston), Murray (Sac), Ivey (Det), Mathurin (Ind), Sharpe (Port), Daniels (NOP), Sochan (SAS), Davis (Was)
8 players are still with their teams.
2023 — Wenbamyama (SAS), Miller (Char), Henderson (Port), Thompson (Hou), Thompson (Det), Black (Orl), Coulibaly (Ind), Walker (Was), Hendricks (Utah), Lively Dal)
All players still with their teams .
2024 — Risacher (Atl), Sarr (Was), Sheppard (Hou), Castle (SAS), Holland (Det), Salaun (Char), Clingan (Port), Dillingham (Minny), Edey (Mem), Williams (Utah)
All players are still with their teans.
Its clear when they go into their year. Teams are already starting to move away from their picks. Cause most teams don’t want to be in another long term deal. Another clear sign is. Most if not all. Don’t start showing real signs of becoming players. Till after their 3-4 yrs. This is the reality with drafting 18-19 yr olds.