By Kevin Pelton, Jeremy Woo | ESPN, 2025-07-10 19:00:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
加利福尼亚精英赛和盐湖城夏季联赛均已落幕，现在是时候将焦点转向休赛期的重头戏了：NBA 2K26拉斯维加斯夏季联赛。
这项为期11天的赛事将于周四拉开帷幕，并持续到7月20日，届时将决出总冠军。
本次赛事将由2025届新秀的新面孔领衔，同时还有其他近期被选中的球员，如 布朗尼·詹姆斯 (Bronny James) 、 里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard) 和 罗布·迪林汉姆 (Rob Dillingham) ，以及联盟中寻求合同的未签约老将。2025届乐透秀 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 、 迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 和 VJ·埃奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe) 都将在周四比赛开打时亮相。
在每支球队打完四场比赛后，排名前四的球队将晋级季后赛。两场半决赛将于7月19日举行，总决赛定于7月20日。其余26支球队将在7月18日至20日期间进行第五场比赛。
在赛程确定之后，ESPN分析师 凯文·佩尔顿 (Kevin Pelton) 和 杰里米·伍 (Jeremy Woo) 将聚焦每支夏季联赛球队的重点关注球员。
亚特兰大老鹰
科比·巴夫金 (Kobe Bufkin) | 得分后卫
2023年选秀：首轮第15顺位
对于科比·巴夫金来说，这是至关重要的一年，他在距离赛季报销的肩部手术近七个月后，将迎来自己的第三个NBA赛季。这位来自密歇根大学的后卫在2023年带着巨大潜力进入联盟，但他只出战了27场常规赛。随着老鹰队正在 重建 (retooling) ，并在一个并非选中他的全新管理层领导下，这位21岁的球员有一个关键的窗口期来巩固自己作为亚特兰大未来一部分的地位。巴夫金复出后将 备受关注 (under the microscope) 。-- 伍
波士顿凯尔特人
雨果·冈萨雷斯 (Hugo Gonzalez) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第28顺位
雨果·冈萨雷斯在波士顿面临着一个有利的局面，他是球队今年唯一的一名首轮秀，而且球队有大量的 锋线出场时间空缺 (vacant wing minutes) 。上赛季他在 皇家马德里 (Real Madrid) 场均出战10分钟，现在NBA将对他这位19岁的球员进行更长时间的考察。冈萨雷斯以其 积极性 (motor) 著称，应该会迎来更好的上场和发展机会。我们将拭目以待，当冈萨雷斯 独当一面 (training wheels come off) 时，他将表现如何，但假以时日，他可能会成长为凯尔特人队重要的 角色球员 (role player) 。-- 伍
布鲁克林篮网
埃戈尔·德明 (Egor Demin) | 控球后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第8顺位
作为篮网队 五人新秀班底 (five-man draft class) 的 核心 (headliner) ，埃戈尔·德明在新环境中将是最引人关注的，布鲁克林篮网队很可能会计划尽可能地将他培养成一名 持球组织者 (on-ball playmaker) 。预计他将与篮网的其他新秀轮流获得 出场机会 (reps) ，但在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛通常 开放的场上环境 (wide-open on-court environment) 下，德明的 传球视野 (passing vision) 应该会大放异彩。我很好奇他在这种情况下会表现如何，并且很期待看到德明与篮网选秀同届的 丹尼·沃尔夫 (Danny Wolf) 打出富有创造性的 挡拆 (pick-and-roll) 配合。-- 伍
夏洛特黄蜂
康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel) | 小前锋
2025年选秀：首轮第4顺位
康·克努佩尔很可能将是黄蜂队在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛的 核心 (focal point) ，这将给他一个机会来展示他出色的 投射 (shooting) 能力（在 杜克大学 (Duke) 的 真实命中率 (true shooting percentage) 高达64.8%）以及作为 次要组织者 (secondary playmaker) 的全面能力。他有望成为最 成熟的新秀 (advanced rookies) 之一，夏季联赛也应该成为他获得 大量出手 (get up plenty of shots) 的绝佳平台。-- 伍
芝加哥公牛
马塔斯·布泽利斯 (Matas Buzelis) | 小前锋
2024年选秀：首轮第11顺位
马塔斯·布泽利斯在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛大概只会打一两场比赛，但他全明星赛后半段的崛起（场均13分，投篮命中率46%/三分命中率36%/罚球命中率83%）对公牛队来说是一个巨大的进步，球队未来几个赛季将越来越倚重他。在夏季联赛阵容中，他应该会获得大量的得分机会，这个阵容或多或少是围绕他打造的。我对2025年第12顺位新秀 诺亚·埃森格 (Noa Essengue) 也相当好奇，他为芝加哥公牛队带来了第二个高大、 全能的前锋 (versatile forward) ，围绕他进行培养。-- 伍
克利夫兰骑士
杰隆·泰森 (Jaylon Tyson) | 得分后卫
2024年选秀：首轮第20顺位
骑士队今年只选中了两名次轮秀，这意味着去年的第20号秀杰隆·泰森是他们夏季联赛阵容的 核心人物 (headliner) 。在2024-25赛季那支实力强劲的克利夫兰骑士队中，他 鲜有出场机会 (called upon sparingly) ，但在骑士队将 艾萨克·奥科罗 (Isaac Okoro) 交易到公牛换取 朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball) 后，他下赛季预计将获得更多戏份。泰森的 身材尺寸优势 (positional size) 和 进攻技巧 (offensive chops) 应该会在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛中 脱颖而出 (stand out) 。-- 伍
达拉斯独行侠
库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) | 小前锋
2025年选秀：首轮第1顺位
借鉴他在执教 密尔沃基雄鹿队 (Milwaukee Bucks) 时对2013年首轮秀 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 所使用的战术策略，独行侠主教练 贾森·基德 (Jason Kidd) 在谈及弗拉格的夏季计划时表示：“我想让他感到不适，看看他会如何反应。让他能够掌控比赛，能够打二号位、三号位。” 弗拉格在杜克大学时是一名大前锋，但由于独行侠队 拥挤的内线 (crowded frontcourt) ，他必须在NBA中打外线。我们将在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛中首次看到基德的计划进展如何。-- 佩尔顿
丹佛掘金
达隆·霍尔姆斯二世 (DaRon Holmes II) | 大前锋
2024年选秀：首轮第22顺位（菲尼克斯太阳选中）
去年夏季联赛最大的遗憾是，达隆·霍尔姆斯二世在丹佛掘金队的首次亮相中遭遇 跟腱撕裂 (Achilles rupture) 。随后的手术和 康复 (rehab) 让他错过了自己的第一个NBA赛季。现在，这位2024年的首轮秀已准备好重返赛场。霍尔姆斯作为新秀的 产出能力 (ability to produce) 可能尤为重要，特别是如果掘金队无法说服 约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯 (Jonas Valanciunas) 拒绝希腊俱乐部 帕纳辛奈科斯 (Panathinaikos) 的报价——几天前掘金队才通过交易得到这位老将，作为三届MVP 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 的替补。-- 佩尔顿
底特律活塞
罗恩·霍兰德二世 (Ron Holland II) | 小前锋
2024年选秀：首轮第5顺位
作为新秀，罗恩·霍兰德二世在活塞队拥挤的 锋线轮换 (wing rotation) 中扮演了有限的角色，但随着底特律在2024年以高于多数人预期的顺位选中了他，他应该有机会在未来 取得突破 (break through) 。在夏季联赛中展示自己，在那里他将是活塞队名单上的 核心人物 (primary name on the roster sheet) ，这将是迈向成功的一步，特别是如果他的 投篮能力 (shotmaking) （上赛季三分命中率28.3%）能够提升的话。-- 伍
金州勇士
L.J.·克莱尔 (L.J. Cryer) | 控球后卫
2025年：落选秀
L.J.·克莱尔是去年带领 休斯顿大学 (Houston) 几乎赢得全国冠军的 全美最佳阵容成员 (All-America pick) ，他是一位凭借投篮能力有望在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛中大放异彩的落选新秀。凭借其NCAA生涯40%的三分命中率，克莱尔在我的选秀前预测中排名前50位。在勇士队目前只拥有两名自家选秀球员（次轮秀 威尔·理查德 (Will Richard) ，他所在的 佛罗里达大学 (Florida) 球队在全国冠军赛中击败了克莱尔的休斯顿大学，以及 亚历克斯·图希 (Alex Toohey) ）的阵容中，他应该在 附带Exhibit 10条款合同 (Exhibit 10 contract) 下获得大量机会。-- 佩尔顿
休斯顿火箭
里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard) | 控球后卫/得分后卫
2024年选秀：首轮第3顺位
作为去年夏季联赛的明星球员，里德·谢泼德与 迈阿密热火队 (Miami Heat) 的 凯尔埃尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware) 一同入选夏季联赛 最佳阵容一阵 (All-Summer League first team) ，场均贡献20分、5.3次助攻和2.8次抢断。然而，谢泼德在新秀赛季很少能将这种表现转化为NBA赛场上的实际作用，只获得了654分钟的 出场时间 (logging minutes) 。因此，他回到夏季联赛是为了在第二个赛季为火箭队争取更多出场时间，而火箭队现在已是 争冠球队 (championship contender) 。-- 佩尔顿
印第安纳步行者
泰伦·彼得 (Taelon Peter) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：次轮第54顺位
作为本届选秀中真正的 黑马选秀 (sleeper picks) 之一，泰伦·彼得上赛季在 自由大学 (Liberty) 效力时，以73.5%的 真实命中率 (true shooting) 领跑NCAA一级联盟，但这仅是在他场均替补出战23分钟的情况下。印第安纳步行者队在次轮末段选中了他，他如何适应这种巨大的水平飞跃将令人期待。彼得是一名出色的 跑跳型运动员 (run-jump athlete) ，但他必须在更高水平的对抗中保持他 顶级效率 (elite efficiency) 的一部分，而夏季联赛将是一个有益的 试金石 (proving ground) 。-- 伍
洛杉矶快船
科比·布朗 (Kobe Brown) | 大前锋
2023年选秀：首轮第30顺位
对于科比·布朗来说，这是一个 关键的夏天 (pivotal summer) 。自从快船队在2023年次轮选中他以来（今年他们在第30顺位选中了 宾夕法尼亚州立大学 (Penn State) 中锋 亚尼克·科南·尼德豪泽 (Yanic Konan Niederhauser) ），他在两个赛季中只出战了666分钟。由于快船队 优先考虑灵活性 (prioritizing flexibility) ，他们可能不会倾向于在10月31日前执行布朗合同中价值480万美元的2026-27赛季球队选项，除非他能证明自己可以成为一名 轮换球员 (rotation contributor) 。-- 佩尔顿
洛杉矶湖人
布朗尼·詹姆斯 (Bronny James) | 得分后卫
2024年选秀：次轮第55顺位
布朗尼·詹姆斯作为新秀的大部分 成长 (development) 都 鲜为人知 (out of sight) ，他在NBA只出战了181分钟。詹姆斯在 发展联盟 (G League) 的 南湾湖人队 (South Bay Lakers) 获得了更多出场机会，在18场比赛中场均贡献18.6分、4.8次助攻和4.6个篮板。在 发展联盟揭幕战 (G League Tip-Off Tournament) 中，詹姆斯 效率挣扎 (struggling with efficiency) ，但在常规赛中表现好了很多，三分命中率达到38%。这些数据正是湖人队希望在今年夏天看到的，也正是詹姆斯最终成为一名NBA贡献者的基础。-- 佩尔顿
孟菲斯灰熊
GG·杰克逊 (GG Jackson) | 大前锋
2023年选秀：次轮第45顺位
据《 孟菲斯日报 (Daily Memphian) 》的 德鲁·希尔 (Drew Hill) 报道，灰熊队很可能不会拥有11号秀 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward) ，他因继续进行去年12月的肩部手术 康复 (rehab) 而 出战成疑 (doubtful to play) 。孟菲斯队2024年的次轮秀 坎·斯宾塞 (Cam Spencer) 和 杰伦·威尔斯 (Jaylen Wells) 将出战，尽管威尔斯在NBA年度最佳新秀评选中排名第三。然而，我最期待看到的是20岁的GG·杰克逊，他在第二个NBA赛季因伤只打了29场比赛，但他仍然是灰熊队阵容中年龄最小的球员，而且优势明显。杰克逊和威尔斯在周六的首秀中都得到了20分。-- 佩尔顿
迈阿密热火
卡斯帕拉斯·亚库西奥尼斯 (Kasparas Jakucionis) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第20顺位
卡斯帕拉斯·亚库西奥尼斯在选秀之夜意外下滑，但对热火队来说却是一次不错的捡漏，为他们带来了阵容中缺乏的 组织型后卫 (playmaking guard) 。他在 加利福尼亚精英赛 (California Classic) 开局不佳，但未来可期。在拉斯维加斯，他应该会获得大量创造进攻的机会，并且最终有望为球队做出贡献，因为迈阿密热火队正持续年轻化，目前在 后场轮换顺位 (backcourt hierarchy) 中，只有 泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 、新加入的 诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell) 和 戴维恩·米切尔 (Davion Mitchell) 明显领先于他。-- 伍
密尔沃基雄鹿
马克·希尔斯 (Mark Sears) | 控球后卫
2025年：落选秀
在送走 达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 后，雄鹿队 后场 (backcourt) 深度不足，目前主要依靠签下低价合同的老将来拼凑出场时间。来自 阿拉巴马大学 (Alabama) 的马克·希尔斯，作为一名 双向合同签约球员 (two-way signee) ，如果他能在这个夏天克服 身材劣势 (lack of size) ，投进足够的球并打出表现，他就有机会在球队阵容末段找到一席之地。他应该会被委以重任，作为首发控卫来 掌控夏季联赛的进攻 (get the keys to the summer league offense) 。-- 伍
明尼苏达森林狼
罗布·迪林汉姆 (Rob Dillingham) | 控球后卫
2024年选秀：首轮第8顺位（圣安东尼奥马刺选中）
尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) 离开加盟老鹰队，为森林狼队在拉斯维加斯参赛的几位年轻外线球员创造了机会，其中包括 特伦斯·香农二世 (Terrence Shannon Jr.) 和 杰伦·克拉克 (Jaylen Clark) 。在这群球员中，迪林汉姆作为新秀在2025年季后赛中出场时间最少（从脚踝扭伤复出后总共只打了16分钟），他最有机会顶替 年迈的 (aging) 控球后卫 迈克·康利 (Mike Conley) 。这使得今年夏天对罗布·迪林汉姆来说至关重要。-- 佩尔顿
新奥尔良鹈鹕
杰里迈亚·费尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears) | 控球后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第7顺位
鹈鹕队在前十顺位选中杰里迈亚·费尔斯，这多少被他们随后的一笔交易盖过了风头——他们送出了一个2026年首轮选秀权，从第23顺位提升到第13顺位，以选中 马里兰大学 (Maryland) 中锋 德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen) 。尽管奎因的 技术特点 (skill set) 可能在夏季联赛这种 混乱的比赛风格 (chaotic style of summer hoops) 中难以闪耀，但这种环境应该非常 适合 (well suited) 费尔斯，他的场均17.1分在 大学一年级便参加选秀的球员 (one-and-done picks) 中排名第五，场均4.1次助攻排名第四。-- 佩尔顿
纽约尼克斯
泰勒·科莱克 (Tyler Kolek) | 控球后卫
2024年选秀：次轮第34顺位
即使作为一名靠前的次轮秀，泰勒·科莱克上赛季在尼克斯队也 替补出场 (off the bench) 时间有限。他的出场机会仍然受到限制，因为 乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson) 和 迪乌斯·麦克布莱德 (Deuce McBride) 都在深度轮换中，但科莱克应该能在拉斯维加斯夏季联赛中掌控球队，并为自己正名。他是一位有实力的组织者，理应获得更多机会，但从身体条件来看，他在带领第二阵容方面提供的帮助不多。-- 伍
俄克拉荷马城雷霆
尼古拉·托皮奇 (Nikola Topic) | 控球后卫
2024年选秀：首轮第12顺位
在被雷霆队首轮选中并进行 前交叉韧带手术 (ACL surgery) 康复一年多后，尼古拉·托皮奇于周末在 盐湖城夏季联赛 (Salt Lake City Summer League) 首次穿上俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的球衣亮相。他周六得到了14分，但也出现了7次失误。雷霆队将不会有今年的15号秀 托马斯·索伯 (Thomas Sorber) 。索伯在二月份接受了脚趾手术，结束了他唯一的大学赛季，目前仍在 康复 (rehab) 中。-- 佩尔顿
奥兰多魔术
杰斯·理查德森 (Jase Richardson) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第25顺位
魔术队以不错的价值得到了杰斯·理查德森，他可以成为 科尔·安东尼 (Cole Anthony) 替补出场时间的一个合适的年轻替代者。理查德森能够 胜任两个后卫位置 (handle both guard spots) ，但他的身材最适合担任控球后卫，而这个角色他在 密歇根州立大学 (Michigan State) 时并非全职。奥兰多魔术队很可能会希望最大化他的 持球训练机会 (ballhandling reps) ，而夏季联赛将是评估他是否已准备好 带领第二阵容 (run a second unit) 的良好环境。随着魔术队努力在东部 冲击总冠军 (push to contend) ，他可能会成为一个 关键的替补球员 (crucial bench player) 。-- 伍
费城76人
VJ·埃奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第3顺位
VJ·埃奇科姆在犹他夏季联赛的首秀中，展现出了76人队所需要的 爆发力强、流畅的突破得分手 (explosive and smooth downhill scorer) 特质。尽管他因轻微的拇指伤势错过了在犹他的接下来的两场比赛，但如果他在拉斯维加斯能够出战，他将有巨大的 进攻发挥空间 (huge runway to create offense) 来 冲击篮筐 (get to the rim) 。显而易见，NBA级别的空间将使防守者在面对他全速突破时更难阻挡。积极的首场比赛表现，让人很容易理解为何费城76人队在选秀前重点关注了他。-- 伍
菲尼克斯太阳
卡曼·马鲁阿奇 (Khaman Maluach) | 中锋
2025年选秀：首轮第10顺位
菲尼克斯太阳队迎来了新的一天，他们的夏季联赛阵容中充满了选秀球员，包括今年选中的三名新秀。其中最重要的莫过于卡曼·马鲁阿奇，他以第10顺位被选中，是太阳队自2020年选中 贾伦·史密斯 (Jalen Smith) 以来选秀顺位最高的引援。尽管在选秀夜还加入了中锋 马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams) ，太阳队仍希望马鲁阿奇能凭借他的 防守多样性 (defensive versatility) 和 篮筐之上终结能力 (above-the-rim finishing) ，在新秀赛季就做出贡献。-- 佩尔顿
波特兰开拓者
杨瀚森 (Yang Hansen) | 中锋
2025年选秀：首轮第16顺位
杨瀚森实际上在上个月以第16顺位被选中之前，就已经拥有了夏季联赛经验。去年19岁的他随 中国男篮 (China national team) 参加了 加利福尼亚精英赛 (California Classic) ，在三场比赛中场均贡献8.7分和5.0个篮板。然而， 失误 (turnovers) （场均4.7次）和 犯规 (fouls) （20.9分钟内场均4.0次）对杨瀚森来说都是问题，我们将关注他在两次夏季联赛出场之间取得了多少进步。-- 佩尔顿
萨克拉门托国王
尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第24顺位
尼克·克利福德对 托马斯与马克中心 (Thomas & Mack Center) 的球场非常熟悉，他曾在大学篮球常规赛中对阵 内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校 (UNLV) ，并在三月份的联盟锦标赛中，帮助 科罗拉多州立大学 (Colorado State) 赢得 山地西部联盟冠军 (Mountain West title) ，他本人在那里场均贡献25.0分、10.3个篮板和4.3次助攻。这些表现帮助克利福德 巩固了 (solidify) 他作为国王队首轮秀的地位。-- 佩尔顿
圣安东尼奥马刺
迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第2顺位
让我们希望能在拉斯维加斯看到这位榜眼秀，他因为圣安东尼奥夏季联赛主教练 迈克·诺伊斯 (Mike Noyes) 所称的“轻微” 腹股沟伤势 (groin injury) 而错过了 加利福尼亚精英赛 (California Classic) 。迪伦·哈珀今年夏天将有机会 掌控马刺队的进攻大权 (get the keys to the Spurs’ offense) ，这在常规赛中是不可能的，届时他将与 达龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 和卫冕年度最佳新秀 斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 并肩作战。同为 乐透秀 (lottery pick) 的 卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant) 周末已经出场，但他的 成长 (development) 不如哈珀 成熟 (advanced) 。-- 佩尔顿
多伦多猛龙
科林·默里-博伊尔斯 (Collin Murray-Boyles) | 大前锋
2025年选秀：首轮第9顺位
在过去的一年里，科林·默里-博伊尔斯在球探界是一位 有争议的球员 (polarizing player) ，他展现了相当可观的 产出 (production) 、明显的 球商 (smarts) 和 防守多样性 (defensive versatility) 。但他也缺乏可靠的跳投，作为一名大前锋身材普通，而且是在南卡罗来纳大学一个 输球的环境 (losing context) 中打球。他在拉斯维加斯如何适应一个更 有利的球队体系 (conducive team construct) 将很有趣，同时也要关注猛龙队如何决定在进攻端使用他：他们会多大程度上以他为 传球轴心 (play through him as a passer) ，以及他是否 自信出手三分 (confident taking 3s) ，这两点值得关注。-- 伍
犹他爵士
艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey) | 小前锋
2025年选秀：首轮第5顺位
在选秀前因为决定不为任何球队试训而 引发大量讨论 (generating lots of discussion) 后，艾斯·贝利顺利加盟犹他爵士。现在我们将开始看到贝利在 罗格斯大学 (Rutgers) 度过一个赛季后，是否配得上所有的关注——他在那里展现了出色的 投篮能力 (shotmaking) 和对位其身材的 护筐能力 (rim protection) ，但 投篮选择 (shot selection) 和 为队友组织进攻 (playmaking for teammates) 方面表现不佳。他的首秀，在 非禁区两分球 (non-paint 2-pointers) 上5投1中，在这方面并不令人鼓舞。-- 佩尔顿
华盛顿奇才
特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson) | 得分后卫
2025年选秀：首轮第6顺位
特雷·约翰逊预计将在夏季联赛中 数据爆棚 (fill up the box score) ，作为本届选秀中技术更 成熟的外线得分手 (polished perimeter scorers) 之一，以及奇才队 发展中阵容 (developing roster) 的潜在 核心 (centerpiece) 。他比赛中需要关注的要素将是他的 组织能力 (playmaking) ；他很可能会吸引防守方的 大量关注 (draw plenty of attention) ，但做出正确的决策并成为一个更 乐于传球的球员 (willing passer) 是他成长路上的下一步。华盛顿奇才队在拉斯维加斯拥有最 深度雄厚的阵容 (loaded roster) ，除了约翰逊和 威尔·莱利 (Will Riley) ，还有五名2024年的首轮秀，但约翰逊预计将在奇才队的进攻中占据 核心地位 (featured place) ，无论是在本周还是在秋季。-- 伍
点击查看原文：2025 NBA summer league: Top players to watch on all 30 teams
2025 NBA summer league: Top players to watch on all 30 teams
Both the California Classic and Salt Lake City summer leagues have wrapped up, so it’s time to focus on the main event of the offseason: NBA 2K26 Las Vegas Summer League.
The 11-day tournament begins Thursday and runs through July 20, with a champion crowned at the end.
The event will be headlined by the fresh faces of the 2025 draft class, as well as other recent draftees such as Bronny James, Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, and unsigned veterans looking for open spots on rosters across the league. Top 2025 picks Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe will all be in action Thursday as games tip off.
After each team plays four games, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The two semifinal games will take place July 19, with the championship game July 20. The other 26 teams will play a fifth game between July 18-20.
With the tournament schedule out of the way, it’s time for ESPN analysts Kevin Pelton and Jeremy Woo to look at the top players to watch on each summer league team.
Atlanta Hawks
Kobe Bufkin | SG
2023 draft: Round 1, No. 15
This is an important year for Bufkin, who is nearly seven months removed from season-ending shoulder surgery going into his third NBA season. The guard out of Michigan entered the league in 2023 with real promise, but he has appeared in just 27 regular-season games. The 21-year-old has a key window to solidify himself as part of Atlanta’s future, with the Hawks retooling, and led by a new front office that didn’t draft him. Bufkin will be under the microscope as he returns to action. – Woo
Boston Celtics
Hugo Gonzalez | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 28
Gonzalez is walking into a good situation in Boston as the team’s lone first-round pick in a year when there will be plenty of vacant wing minutes. After he averaged 10 minutes per game at Real Madrid last season, the NBA will now get a much longer look at the 19-year-old, who is known for his motor and should enter a much better opportunity to play and develop. We’ll see how Gonzalez fares when the training wheels come off, but he could develop into an important role player for the Celtics in time. – Woo
Brooklyn Nets
Egor Demin | PG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 8
The headliner of the Nets’ five-man draft class, Demin will be the most intriguing in his new situation, with Brooklyn presumably planning to coax as much as they can out of him as an on-ball playmaker. Expect him to rotate those reps with the Nets’ other rookies, but Demin’s passing vision should shine in what’s typically a wide-open on-court environment in Vegas. I’m curious how he’ll look in this context, and I’d love to see Demin play in creative pick-and-roll with fellow Nets draft classmate Danny Wolf. – Woo
Charlotte Hornets
Kon Knueppel | SF
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 4
Knueppel presumably will be the focal point of the Hornets’ Las Vegas operation, giving him an opportunity to showcase his excellent shooting (64.8 true shooting percentage at Duke) and the breadth of his ability as a secondary playmaker. He figures to be one of the most advanced rookies out of the gate, and this should be a nice platform for him to get up plenty of shots. – Woo
Chicago Bulls
Matas Buzelis | SF
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 11
Buzelis presumably won’t play more than a game or two in Las Vegas, but his second-half emergence (13 points on 46% field goal/36% 3-pointers/83% free throw splits post All-Star) was a huge development for the Bulls, who are set to increasingly lean on him over the next few seasons. He should have plenty of opportunities to score on a summer league roster that’s more or less built around him. I’m also quite curious about 2025 No. 12 overall pick Noa Essengue, who gives Chicago a second big, versatile forward to build around. – Woo
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jaylon Tyson | SG
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 20
The Cavaliers only made two second-round selections this year, meaning last year’s 20th overall pick (Tyson) is the headliner of their summer league group. He was called upon sparingly on a very good Cleveland team in 2024-25, but he could be ticketed for more of a role next season after the Cavs traded Isaac Okoro to the Bulls for Lonzo Ball. Tyson’s positional size and offensive chops should stand out in Vegas. – Woo
Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg | SF
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 1
Borrowing from a playbook he used with 2013 first-round pick Giannis Antetokounmpo while coaching the Milwaukee Bucks, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts,” about summer plans for Flagg. “Being able to run the show, being able to play the 2, play the 3.” A power forward at Duke, Flagg will have to play the perimeter in the NBA because of the Mavericks’ crowded frontcourt. We’ll get a first look at how Kidd’s plan goes in Las Vegas. – Pelton
Denver Nuggets
DaRon Holmes II | PF
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 22 by Phoenix
The biggest disappointment of last year’s summer action was Holmes suffering an Achilles rupture late in his Denver debut. Subsequent surgery and rehab cost Holmes his first NBA season. Now, the 2024 first-round pick is ready to get back on the court. Holmes’ ability to produce as a rookie could prove especially important if the Nuggets can’t convince Jonas Valanciunas to pass an offer from Greek club Panathinaikos days after Denver dealt for the veteran to back up three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. – Pelton
Detroit Pistons
Ron Holland II | SF
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 5
Holland played a limited role in a crowded Pistons wing rotation as a rookie, but should have a chance to break through moving forward, with Detroit selecting him higher than most expected in 2024. Showcasing himself at summer league, where he’ll be the primary name on the Pistons roster sheet, would represent a step in that direction, particularly if his shotmaking (28.3% from 3 last season) can improve. – Woo
Golden State Warriors
L.J. Cryer | PG
2025: Undrafted
An All-America pick who nearly led Houston to last year’s national title, Cryer is the kind of undrafted rookie who could excel in Las Vegas with his shooting ability. Cryer rated in the top 50 of my predraft projections on the strength of his 40% career NCAA 3-point shooting. He should have plenty of opportunity on an Exhibit 10 contract with a Warriors roster that features only two of the team’s own draft picks, second-rounders Will Richard (whose Florida team beat Cryer’s Houston in the national championship) and Alex Toohey. – Pelton
Houston Rockets
Reed Sheppard | PG/SG
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 3
The belle of last year’s summer league, Sheppard joined Kel’el Ware of the Miami Heat as the two rookies named to the All-Summer League first team after averaging 20 points per game, 5.3 assists per game and 2.8 steals per game. Alas, Sheppard rarely translated that to NBA action as a rookie, logging just 654 minutes. As a result, he is back to earn more playing time in Year 2 on a Rockets team that is now firmly a championship contender. – Pelton
Indiana Pacers
Taelon Peter | SG
2025 draft: Round 2, No. 54
One of the draft’s true sleeper picks, Peter was the Division I leader in true shooting (73.5%) last season at Liberty, but did so while playing just 23 minutes per game off the bench. Indiana drafted him late in the second round, and it’ll be intriguing to see how he adjusts to a huge jump in level. Peter is an excellent run-jump athlete, but he’ll have to preserve some of his elite efficiency against better competition, with summer league a useful proving ground. – Woo
LA Clippers
Kobe Brown | PF
2023 draft: Round 1, No. 30
This is a pivotal summer for Brown, who has played 666 minutes over two seasons since the Clippers drafted him in the second round in 2023 – the same spot at No. 30 where they selected Penn State center Yanic Konan Niederhauser this year. With the Clippers prioritizing flexibility, they might not be inclined to exercise a $4.8 million 2026-27 team option on Brown’s contract by Oct. 31, unless he demonstrates he can be a rotation contributor. – Pelton
Los Angeles Lakers
Bronny James | SG
2024 draft: Round 2, No. 55
Much of James’ development as a rookie took place out of sight, as he logged just 181 NBA minutes. James saw far more action for the G League’s South Bay Lakers, combining for 18.6 PPG, 4.8 APG and 4.6 rebounds per game over 18 games. After struggling with his efficiency in the G League Tip-Off Tournament, James was far better in the regular season, making 38% of his 3s. Those numbers are what the Lakers will want to see this summer and what could eventually make James an NBA contributor. – Pelton
Memphis Grizzlies
GG Jackson | PF
2023 draft: Round 2, No. 45
The Grizzlies likely won’t have No. 11 pick Cedric Coward, who is doubtful to play while continuing to rehab December shoulder surgery, per Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian. Memphis’ 2024 second-round picks, Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells, will be playing despite Wells finishing third in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting. Yet I’m most excited to see the 20-year-old Jackson, still the youngest player on the Grizzlies’ roster by a wide margin, after he played 29 games in his second NBA campaign due to injury. Both Jackson and Wells had 20 points each in Saturday’s debut. – Pelton
Miami Heat
Kasparas Jakucionis | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 20
Jakucionis was a surprising draft-night faller and became a nice value snag for the Heat, giving them the type of playmaking guard their roster lacked. He got off to a poor start in the California Classic, but better days are ahead. He should see plenty of opportunities to create in Las Vegas and have a path to contribute eventually, with Miami continuing to trend younger and only Tyler Herro, new addition Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell clearly ahead in the backcourt hierarchy. – Woo
Milwaukee Bucks
Mark Sears | PG
2025 draft: Undrafted
The Bucks don’t have a ton of backcourt depth after moving on from Damian Lillard, relying primarily on veterans with inexpensive contracts to piecemeal those minutes as currently constituted. Sears, a two-way signee out of Alabama, has a pathway to back-end roster value if he can make enough shots and produce this summer in spite of his lack of size. He should presumably get the keys to the summer league offense as a starting point. – Woo
Minnesota Timberwolves
Rob Dillingham | PG
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 8 by San Antonio
Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s departure for the Hawks creates an opportunity for several of Minnesota’s young perimeter players who will play in Las Vegas, including Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jaylen Clark. Of that group, Dillingham saw the least action as a rookie in the 2025 playoffs (16 total minutes after coming back from an ankle sprain) and has the best chance of filling in for the aging Mike Conley at point guard. That makes this an important summer for Dillingham. – Pelton
New Orleans Pelicans
Jeremiah Fears | PG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 7
The Pelicans drafting Fears in the top 10 was somewhat overshadowed by their subsequent trade sending out a 2026 first-round pick to move up from No. 23 to No. 13 to also add Maryland center Derik Queen. Although Queen’s skill set might not shine in the chaotic style of summer hoops, the environment should be well suited for Fears, whose 17.1 PPG ranked fifth among one-and-done picks and 4.1 APG ranked fourth. – Pelton
New York Knicks
Tyler Kolek | PG
2024 draft: Round 2, No. 34
Even as a high second-round pick, Kolek played sparingly off the Knicks’ bench last season. His pathway to minutes is still limited, with Jordan Clarkson figuring into the depth mix with Deuce McBride, but Kolek should get to run the team in Las Vegas and make a case for himself. He’s a quality playmaker who deserves more opportunity, but doesn’t offer much from a physical perspective running the second unit. – Woo
Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Topic | PG
2024 draft: Round 1, No. 12
More than a year after being drafted by the Thunder in the first round while rehabbing from ACL surgery, Topic made his first appearance in an Oklahoma City jersey over the weekend at the Salt Lake City Summer League. He had 14 points Saturday, but also seven turnovers. The Thunder won’t have this year’s No. 15 pick, Thomas Sorber. Sorber underwent toe surgery in February that ended his lone college season, and he is still rehabbing. – Pelton
Orlando Magic
Jase Richardson | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 25
The Magic got nice value with Richardson falling to them, giving them a viable younger replacement for Cole Anthony’s bench minutes. Richardson can handle both guard spots, but his size profiles best at the point, a role he didn’t play full time at Michigan State. Orlando will likely want to maximize his ballhandling reps, and this should be a good environment in which to assess how ready he is to run a second unit. He could be a crucial bench player for the Magic as they push to contend in the East. – Woo
Philadelphia 76ers
VJ Edgecombe | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 3
Edgecombe, in his Utah summer league debut, looked every bit the explosive and smooth downhill scorer the Sixers needed him to be. He did miss the next two games in Utah with a minor thumb injury, but he will have a huge runway to create offense and get to the rim, presuming he’s active in Vegas. It’s already evident that NBA spacing will make it even harder to stay in front of him with a head of steam. The positive first game made it easy to understand why Philly prioritized him in the predraft process. – Woo
Phoenix Suns
Khaman Maluach | C
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 10
It’s a new day in Phoenix, where the Suns’ summer roster is filled with draft picks, including three from this year’s draft. None is more important than Maluach, who at No. 10 was Phoenix’s highest addition through the draft since Jalen Smith in 2020. Despite also adding center Mark Williams on draft night, the Suns are hoping Maluach can contribute as a rookie with his defensive versatility and above-the-rim finishing. – Pelton
Portland Trail Blazers
Yang Hansen | C
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 16
Yang actually had summer league experience before being drafted No. 16 last month. He joined the China national team in the California Classic last year at age 19, averaging 8.7 PPG and 5.0 RPG in three games. Both turnovers (4.7 per game) and fouls (4.0 per game in 20.9 minutes) were an issue for Yang, and we’ll be watching how much he has improved in between summer league outings. – Pelton
Sacramento Kings
Nique Clifford | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 24
Clifford is quite familiar with the Thomas & Mack Center court, having played against UNLV in the college basketball regular season, and averaged 25.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG and 4.3 APG there as Colorado State won the Mountain West title at the conference tournament in March. Those performances helped solidify Clifford as a first-round pick by the Kings. – Pelton
San Antonio Spurs
Dylan Harper | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 2
Let’s hope we’ll see the No. 2 pick in Las Vegas after he missed the California Classic due to what San Antonio summer coach Mike Noyes termed a “minor” groin injury. Harper would get the keys to the Spurs’ offense this summer in a way that won’t be possible during the regular season, when he suits up alongside De’Aaron Fox and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Fellow lottery pick Carter Bryant did play over the weekend, but is not as advanced in his development. – Pelton
Toronto Raptors
Collin Murray-Boyles | PF
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 9
Murray-Boyles was a polarizing player in the scouting community over the past year, offering quite a bit of production and obvious smarts and defensive versatility. But he was also lacking a reliable jumper with average size for a four-man – and doing it in a losing context at South Carolina. How he takes to what should be a more conducive team construct should be fun to see in Vegas, as well as how the Raptors decide to use him on the offensive end: How much they look to play through him as a passer and whether he’s confident taking 3s are two things to watch for. – Woo
Utah Jazz
Ace Bailey | SF
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 5
After generating lots of discussion leading up to the draft because of his decision not to work out for any team, Bailey landed in Utah without incident. Now we will start to see whether Bailey merited all the attention after a season at Rutgers, where he showed great strengths in shotmaking and rim protection for his size, but poor shot selection and playmaking for teammates. His debut, in which Bailey shot 1-of-5 on non-paint 2-pointers, wasn’t encouraging in that regard. – Pelton
Washington Wizards
Tre Johnson | SG
2025 draft: Round 1, No. 6
Johnson figures to fill up the box score in summer league as one of the draft’s more polished perimeter scorers and a potential centerpiece of the Wizards’ developing roster. The element of his game to monitor will be his playmaking; he’s likely to draw plenty of attention from defenses, but making the right decisions and becoming a more willing passer are the next steps in his growth. Washington has the most loaded roster in Vegas, featuring five first-round picks from 2024 in addition to Johnson and Will Riley, but Johnson figures to have a featured place in the Wizards’ offense, both this week and come fall. – Woo
By Kevin Pelton, Jeremy Woo | ESPN, via ESPN