NBA Summer time League is in its second week and the highest picks from the 2025 draft have principally had an opportunity to indicate off their abilities. Listed below are grades for the Summer time League efforts of the highest eight picks in Las Vegas thus far.
1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks | B+
Flagg confirmed sufficient with a 31-point sport in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs in his second begin that the Mavericks shut him down for the remainder of Summer time League. That effort made up for a less-than-stellar debut the place he shot 5-for-21, however added 4 assists, three steals and a blocked shot. For a high decide who will not flip 19 till December, it was a superb, encouraging effort.
2. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs | B-
Harper was additionally shut down after enjoying two Summer time League video games with a minor groin harm, together with a formidable debut the place he put up 16 factors and 6 rebounds in opposition to Flagg’s Mavericks. The No. 2 decide confirmed off an incredible capability to get to the rim and the foul line, however he made just one three-pointer — his solely made basket outdoors the paint — and turned the ball over 5 instances in his second sport. Harper appears to be like strong, particularly on protection, however his leap shot nonetheless wants to enhance.
3. V.J. Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers | B
Edgecombe injured his thumb in a 28-point, 10-rebound effort in Salt Lake Metropolis Summer time League. When he returned Tuesday, he put up 15 factors on 4-for-14 capturing, together with six rebounds, 4 assists, two steals and a block. Whereas he missed his first seven photographs, Edgecombe confirmed off the athleticism that made him the No. 3 decide and drove the ball properly. Nevertheless it’s onerous to make a real analysis as Edgecombe has principally sat out.
4. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets | C+
Knueppel put up a double-double with 16 factors and 10 rebounds within the Hornets’ third Las Vegas sport, wanting much better than he did in his debut, when he scored 5 factors and shot 1-for-8 in a sport the place he was largely invisible. It was a pleasant comeback effort for Knueppel to hit three triples on Monday, however you’d ideally prefer to see extra from a No. 4 decide.
5. Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz | Incomplete
Bailey hasn’t performed in Las Vegas due to hip soreness, after capturing 10-for-29 in two video games in Salt Lake Metropolis Summer time League.
6. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards | A
Johnson was the No. 6 decide because of his capturing capability, and he confirmed that off in Las Vegas. He was 14-for-24 total and 5-for-11 on three-pointers, attending to his spots and pulling down photographs with an NBA-ready shot. Johnson additionally had the highest spotlight of Summer time League, passing the ball to himself off fellow rookie Khaman Maluach for a layup.
7. Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans | C-
Fears is a rookie level guard with three assists and 16 turnovers in three video games, not an incredible signal. He is 15-for-44 from the sector, although that is skewed by a 5-for-21 capturing effort in his Summer time League debut. Whereas Fears did exhibit pace, a incredible deal with and a capability to get previous defenders, the dearth of passing is worrisome for a non-shooting level. He additionally bought into altercations in all three video games and was ejected from Tuesday’s loss, although he did have a spectacular, Ja Morant-esque missed dunk.
8. Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets | C
In two Summer time League video games, the BYU guard appeared intent on proving that he may rating from behind the arc. He shot solely 27.3% in his lone school season, however he went 6-for-15 on three-pointers in Las Vegas, which accounted for 15 of his 18 field-goal makes an attempt.
Maybe Demin could possibly be a knockdown shooter, however his incapability to attain on the rim or discover open teammates — Demin had 4 assists in two video games — are each discouraging indicators for the 6-foot-9 rookie. So was getting soundly outplayed by Thunder rookie Nikola Matter in his first sport.
