Fantasy Basketball: Here's 1 takeaway from NBA Summer League for all 30 teams

We’re about a week into NBA Summer League, which wraps up Sunday, and the action in Vegas has delivered plenty of intrigue on its own. With the basketball world also waiting to see where LeBron James will land next, there’s no shortage of headlines. So before Vegas wraps, here are my observations on all 30 teams from the opening week.

Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick, was one of the best playmakers and defenders I saw. Through four games, he’s averaging 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. His shooting hasn’t hit, but between his ball security, leadership and defense, he’s settling in quickly.

Fellow first-rounder Zuby Ejiofor was also strong defensively, averaging 3 stocks along with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Second-year forward Asa Nowell is making steady progress, despite shooting 43.8% across Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

Hugo González looks ready for a real bump in minutes this season following Jaylen Brown’s departure. Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. has been impressive as a rim protector, swatting nine shots in three games. And shoutout to Dillon Mitchell, who has been so explosive and disruptive on the wing.

Fresh off giving Darius Acuff Jr. hell on Tuesday, Mikel Brown Jr. is the best guard in this class outside Darryn Peterson — motor, IQ, playmaking and defense were on full display across three games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals on 47/44/80 shooting splits in 19.9 minutes per contest in three games.

Egor Demïn added muscle and looks primed for a leap next season after posting 22-5-4 with 2 steals in 24 minutes across the California Classic and Las Vegas. Ben Saraf and Drake Powell both have a long way to go, even though Powell broke out of his 1-for-28 from the field slump on Tuesday night.

Second-year pro Liam McNeeley was clearly the Hornets’ best player. He improved significantly in the offseason, surprising as a sneaky playmaker and primary scoring option in Vegas. He could make the All-Summer League team. Christian Anderson Jr. and Sion James both underwhelmed, struggling to run the offense and take care of the ball.

Caleb Wilson is a star in the making and top of the class for me. Undrafted guard Jaylin Sellers has been more impactful than No. 15 pick Dailyn Swain, who’s struggled out of the gate. Former first-rounder Noa Essengue has been good defensively but he’s looking too passive offensively. New head coach Tiago Splitter doesn’t seem like he’s a fan.

Get to know Meleek Thomas, the No. 34 pick who is the top scorer through Wednesday in all of Vegas. His stock is way up after dropping 30 and 35 points in his last two outings, while also racking up 4 assists and 2 steals per game in three Vegas games. He’s looking like the steal of the draft.

Rookie forward Morez Johnson Jr. posted a memorable 27 points, eight rebounds and three assists in his debut, but was held to 10 points on 4-for-15 shooting the following game against the Lakers. Still, Johnson has been very active defensively, tallying 11 stocks in two games. The real shocker is rookie point guard Sergio De Larrea, who put up a 16-point, 12-assist performance versus the Grizzlies. He’s got sleeper potential, so keep an eye on this kid.

Between Bryce Hopkins and Trevon Brazile, the Nuggets selected a couple of serviceable forwards to back up Aaron Gordon or fill the void if Peyton Watson goes elsewhere. Brazile scored 32 points with 6 rebounds against the Thunder on Tuesday.

Rookie guard Ebuka Okorie stood out every time he touched the hardwood. With his size, scoring and tenacity on defense, I could see him cracking the second unit alongside Daniss Jenkins. His stock is up after posting a 16-3-5 line with over 3 steals per game in Vegas.

Former Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been trending up since his first game at the California Classic. He’s been shooting damn near lights out and offers a versatile fantasy skillset, chipping in across scoring, rebounding, assists, 3s and steals. I said on KOC’s podcast that he could be a top-100 player and I believe that.

Bruce Thornton has been headlining a roster built on fringe two-way hopefuls. He’s up to 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 dimes, 3.0 3s and 3.3 steals per contest. If Fred VanVleet gets load-managed, Thornton looks poised to step up behind Reed Sheppard.

Three-year pro Jalen Slawson is so athletic. He had several highlight-reel plays backed by volume scoring (20.7 points) and rim protection (2.7 blocks). The NCAA’s all-time assists leader, Braden Smith, has been an effective table-setter, but he’s not a scoring threat at this time.

Keaton Wagler is improving by the game, but he still looks a step too slow and overpowered at times. Kobe Sanders has looked far better on both ends and has the versatility to guard 1 through 4. After getting a new deal, expect Sanders to be in the rotation.

Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers got a good one with Cameron Carr. The shot-making, athleticism and effort have been outstanding despite playing through a thumb injury. He has a good chance of playing right away, as he looks like a starting small forward.

Adou Thiero remains one of the best young athletes in the league, period — he just needs to learn to slow down. Those two have been fun to watch.

Cameron Boozer has been as advertised. Efficient production while displaying a knack for creating for others. He’s excellent at sealing his man and getting to his spots. And for all the debate about his lack of defense and athleticism, he’s holding his own. He should be one of the first rookies off draft boards in the fall.

Cedric Coward didn’t really need to be there, but it was nice to see him in attack mode offensively.

Another 2026 second-round pick whose cooking is former Louisville guard Ryan Conwell. He’s been lighting it up since the California Classic, averaging 20.5 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and over 2 3s this summer. We know the Heat need shooters and they found one.

I graded Brayden Burries a D for going to the Bucks because of their oversaturated guard depth. Based on what I saw in Vegas, Milwaukee will be trading at least two of its guards. Burries is the real deal — averaging 19.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.2 3s on 48% shooting and 41% from 3 across four games. Most notably, he’s rocking a 13:1 assist-to-turnover ratio — a 9-cat dream.

Fellow rookie Nate Ament is looking mid.

The Joan Beringer show opened with an 18-point, 12-rebound, four-block double-double against New Orleans, flashing the rim-protecting tools that made him a first-round pick. It’s the offensive leap that I didn’t anticipate. Lobs, Eurosteps, baby hooks — he got better. Beringer will be on fantasy teams this season. The Wolves backcourt is thin and he’s far better than Rudy Gobert offensively.

Unfortunately, Derik Queen or Jeremiah Fears did not participate in Vegas. Kobe Bufkin, just 22, has been one of the top-15 scorers in Vegas through three games, torching Minnesota for 30 points in his debut. Minimal fantasy implications.

The Knicks may be the champs, but they have the saddest Summer League team. I had the misfortune of watching them score 17 points in the first half against the Spurs.

Tyler Nickel may be the best 3-point shooter in the 2026 class, while rookie German guard Jack Kylil is improving game-by-game.

Aday Mara has looked pedestrian — 11 turnovers to six assists through three games — and the mobility concerns are tracking. Still, you can’t teach size, and he’ll be effective in the right lineups eventually.

It would’ve been nice to see 2025 draft pick Thomas Sorber get some reps, but he’s still recovering from a second surgery on his previously torn ACL.

Noah Penda has been everything Orlando wanted: 17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2.5 blocks a game, and he looks primed for an even bigger role in the Magic’s second unit this season.

Jase Richardson has quietly matched him, averaging 15 points and 5 assists. Both guys should be in the rotation next season.

The Sixers pulled a heist, grabbing Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. with the 22nd pick in the 2026 draft. From his elite handle to his confidence and three-level scoring ability, he’s ready for a spot in the second unit right now.

Khaman Maluach looks reborn. I witnessed three truly dominant performances. The growth has been noticeable — he’s moving quicker, playing more physically and has been a force on both ends, averaging 18 points with 12 rebounds and over 3 stocks per contest. He looks like the right type of insurance for Mark Williams.

Koa Peat, the rookie out of Arizona, has been very efficient scoring the basketball, shooting 53% from the field despite that nasty hitch on his 3-point shot.

Yang Hansen is doing his best to shed the bust label after a poor rookie season. The confidence is growing as he’s reading the game well, averaging 4.5 assists in two games while also being assertive in the post and using his craftiness to get high-percentage looks. The stocks are non-existent, so for fantasy you’re really banking on an opportunity to build on rebounds, assists and points for a big man. He’s still behind Robert Williams III.

I have mixed feelings about Darius Acuff Jr. He’s a dynamic scorer who is steadily getting used to the NBA speed and pace. It’s encouraging that he’s been empowered to play freely, but his efficiency has been a real issue so far. The defensive intensity isn’t always there, yet he’s still averaging 2 stocks per game — impressive for someone who’s taken plenty of criticism for his defense.

Houston G Emanuel Sharp, the 45th overall pick in the 2026 draft, has been terrific. He’s averaging 16 points with 3 rebounds, 3 3s and 2.6 steals per game. A dog defensively.

San Antonio Spurs

Carter Bryant remains super raw offensively, but his defensive instincts are off the charts. PF/C Tarris Reed Jr. looks like he’ll be able to play some minutes alongside Wemby or back him up. His stock is rising.

Another efficient stat-stuffer lands in the 6. Allen Graves out of Santa Clara is doing it all. In his last three games, he’s averaging 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 3s and almost 3 steals per game. Move him up your rookie draft boards.

Darryn Peterson was the obvious draw and he didn’t disappoint. He’s a bucket and I came away encouraged by his playmaking throughout Salt Lake City and Vegas. Ace Bailey didn’t do much in his two appearances in Vegas.

AJ Dybantsa tied the Summer League scoring record for a debuting No. 1 pick with 27, then added 23 more — and was shut down. I thought he did a great job using his size, strength and athleticism on both ends. The fact that he admitted he was lazy on D last year says there’s more upside with him as a defender. Now that Dybantsa is shut down, I’d like to see at least one more game from Tre Johnson, who scored 26 points in the Summer League opener.

Will Riley has been a top-five scorer in Vegas through Wednesday, capped by a 32-point outburst over Sacramento, and I remain a huge fan of his all-around game.

Read the full article here