It’s important not to read too much into NBA Summer League performances. There are plenty of instances where top talents have kicked off their careers in Las Vegas with less-than-stellar outings.
For instance, Cooper Flagg and Victor Wembanyama didn’t shine during their summer league debuts. Jalen Brunson faced serious challenges, Draymond Green had a rough time, and Coby White struggled to find the net. Summer league’s significance is often overestimated. But, with July winding down and limited news until LeBron James makes his move, it’s worth reflecting on some takeaways from Las Vegas that might lean towards being overblown.
Check out our rookie rankings from the summer league. And here’s a list of eight young veterans who stood out too much for this year’s Summer League, along with six rookies who made a decent impression. I’d love to hear your summer league overreactions in the comments; I’ll respond.
Darrin Peterson is not a point guard.
Peterson was somewhat of an enigma coming from Kansas. He seemed entirely different between high school and college. During his senior year at Prolific Prep, he looked like a dominant guard capable of attacking the rim. But college-induced injuries limited his explosiveness, turning him into more of a perimeter shooter.
Now healthy, Peterson acknowledged he feels more suited for running screens and focusing on his three-point shooting instead of taking on the responsibilities of a traditional guard right away. The Jazz already have a reliable point guard in Keyontae George, but they might benefit from a defensive playmaker who can enhance their defense while posing a threat from deep. I think this could be a pragmatic path for Peterson early in his career, especially since his ability to attack the rim isn’t particularly strong right now.
Honestly, I should have posted this tweet.
Peterson’s three-point shooting percentage plummeted from 46% at Kansas to 33% in summer league. On another note, his assists and turnovers nearly balanced out, with 24 turnovers compared to 26 assists. DP really needs to improve these numbers to make the Jazz even better.
Noah Esseng released from Bulls
Noah Esseng was not selected by the Bulls’ new leadership team, led by Bryson Graham and head coach Tiago Splitter, despite being the 12th overall pick last year. He had a disastrous rookie season, marred by a season-ending shoulder injury before even scoring. At just 19, he still seems to be at the beginning stage of his potential development. He needs game time more than anything, given he hasn’t played since November, but he encountered challenges during summer league under Splitter’s coaching. He was benched during the latter half of Game 2 and did not start again, seeing his playing time dwindle.
It seems Graham and Splitter might not have much investment in Esseng, likely because he wasn’t their pick. While this is understandable, Esseng possesses intriguing physical abilities and a background of outperforming older players. He has the potential to develop into a valuable player, unlike many on the Bulls’ Summer League team, aside from a few exceptions. His stats were respectable, with a true shooting percentage of 62.4% and decent defensive stats.
Of course, there were rough patches involving turnovers, missed free throws, and some awkward moments on the court. But considering Esseng is only 19—just six months younger than Caleb Wilson—it’s perhaps premature to throw in the towel. He shows promise in areas like defensive switching and rebounding, among others. It’s surprising that a team struggling like the Bulls opted to waive someone drafted 10th last year. Esseng deserves a franchise committed to nurturing his growth rather than wasting his time in meaningless summer league games. Although the Bulls may not care, other teams likely will.
Two Lakers players could be key for the regular season
The Lakers possibly boast one of the best offensive backcourts in Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves, along with an effective rim protector in Walker Kessler. They still, however, need an athletic defender on the wing, which is tricky given recent roster moves. You might be surprised to find that the answer could be hiding among the summer league players.
Chris Mannion and Adu Tierro might just be what the Lakers need. Both young players excelled during the summer league and possess the skill sets that could elevate a major league team. Mannion had shown great defensive potential coming out of Vanderbilt, despite being overlooked in the 2025 draft due to questions about his shooting. He has reportedly improved, and if given the opportunity, could excel alongside Luka. Mannion is adept at disrupting opponents and making plays on defense. Tierro, on the other hand, is an athletic force with a unique blend of speed and strength, perfect for fast breaks and guarding shooters.
If the Lakers play it smart, they should develop both players into significant contributors as the playoffs approach.
7 second-round picks who could be solid rotation players
Some argue that the NIL has ruined the second round of the NBA Draft. While I partially agree, I believe several second-round picks this year showcased their potential in the Summer League. Here are seven second-round picks from the 2026 draft who could have promising careers in the NBA.
- Bruce Thornton
- Maryke Thomas
- Henri Vissard
- Trevon Brazil
- Jack Cale
- Baba Miller
- Nick Martinelli
Out of this group, Thornton and Thomas really impressed me at Summer League. Brazil seems to have landed in favor with the Nuggets as a great complement to Nikola Jokic, while Cale’s potential has surprised me, and Martinelli continues to excel. There’s always talent to be found in the draft, so it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Kaman Maruaha might be an All-Star soon
I had high expectations for Maluach ahead of the 2025 draft, and even after virtually redshirting with the Suns as a rookie, I still believe in his potential. He had an impressive Summer League, averaging 19.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, alongside a solid 40% from three-point range.
I’ve discussed my enthusiasm for Maruaha on the Swish Theory podcast.
Jaxel Lendeborg has a bright future despite being an older rookie
Thanks to Jaksel Lendeborg, the Warriors clinched the Summer League championship. While he is set to turn 24 soon, his unique journey to the NBA showcases that players can find success at their own pace.
I typically take issue with the notion that older players are more “NBA ready” during the draft process. However, in Lendeborg’s case, I see him becoming a significant contributor for Golden State from the outset.
