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Hannes Steinbach Grabs Double-Double in Loss to Sacramento
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Hannes Steinbach logged his third Summer League double-double in Friday's 92-90 loss to the Kings, going for 22 points and 11 rebounds on 7-for-10 shooting with one steal over 29 minutes. The No. 14 pick now has three double-doubles in five Vegas games, backing a college season at Washington that produced 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds a night. His work on the glass is the sort of skill that carries over immediately, and on a rebuilding Charlotte team without much settled frontcourt production, that alone should earn a lottery pick early looks. The scoring polish can develop from there.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Emanuel Sharp Paces Sacramento in Win Over Charlotte
Sacramento Kings guard Emanuel Sharp led six players in double figures with 16 points in Friday's 92-90 Summer League win over the Hornets, connecting on 4-for-9 from three while adding three steals, three assists, two rebounds, and one block over 30 minutes. The Houston product has been Sacramento's steadiest summer performer, pairing his shooting with disruptive perimeter defense that produced three or more steals in several outings. The No. 45 pick fits a specific need as a 3-and-D guard who can play off-ball next to lottery pick Darius Acuff Jr. His scoring efficiency has wavered in Vegas, so the defense and the outside stroke will be what earn a second-round rookie a foothold in the rotation.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ace Bailey Sitting with Back Spasms
Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey (back) won't suit up for Friday's Summer League contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. It's an exhibition game, so the Jazz aren't going to risk anything. Bailey is reportedly dealing with back spasms, so this shouldn't be something that impacts his availability for training camp. He averaged 13.8 points per game across 27.6 minutes per game in 72 contests with the Jazz last season. Given the additions the Jazz made this offseason, Bailey might come off the bench this upcoming season. That could impact his fantasy value going forward.
Source: Ben Anderson
Source: Ben Anderson
Noa Essengue Won't Play Due to Thumb Soreness
Chicago Bulls forward/center Noa Essengue (thumb) won't suit up for Friday's Summer League contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Essengue is dealing with right thumb soreness, so the team will hold him out of this exhibition contest. The Bulls are being cautious here, but there's no reason to believe that Essengue won't be ready to go by training camp. Essengue only played in two games for the Bulls before having season-ending shoulder surgery last year. The organization believes that the former No. 12 overall pick can be a key contributor down the road. The expectation is that Essengue will get a fair chance to prove himself on the rebuilding Bulls this upcoming season.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Dailyn Swain Absent on Friday with Wrist Soreness
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Dailyn Swain (wrist) is out for Friday's Summer League contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The rookie guard is dealing with wrist soreness, so they've decided to play it safe and hold him out of this contest. There is no reason to believe that this is going to be a long-term issue for Swain. The 21-year-old should be ready to go once training camp rolls around. The Bulls used the 15th overall pick on Swain during this year's draft. He figures to get decent run on the rebuilding Bulls.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Lakers Expressing Interest in Jonathan Kuminga
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in bringing in forward Jonathan Kuminga this summer. Kuminga is currently an unrestricted free agent after declining a $24.3 million team option from the Atlanta Hawks. The speculation is that Kuminga is seeking a deal around $20-25 million per season. This might be too rich for the Lakers, but it sounds like the organization is still interested in doing a sign-and-trade. They've signed Ziaire Williams as depth, but they'd still like to add another wing to the mix. It's tough to imagine Kuminga having a ton of scoring chances in an offense surrounded by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Bucks Interested in Sign-and-Trade Involving Peyton Watson
The Milwaukee Bucks are still actively looking to make moves this offseason. According to Evan Sidery, Milwaukee is seriously interested in doing a sign-and-trade involving forward Peyton Watson. The Denver Nuggets have stated that they're confident they'll retain Watson, who is currently a restricted free agent. That could be difficult for Denver with them already having Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon locked into expensive contracts. If Watson joins the Bucks, he'd be competing for minutes with Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kyle Kuzma. A move to the rebuilding Bucks might be better for his overall fantasy value, but we'll see how it shakes out this offseason.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Raptors Confirm Interest in DeMar DeRozan Reunion
The Toronto Raptors have confirmed free-agent interest in a reunion with small forward DeMar DeRozan, Marc Stein reports. DeRozan reached the market after Sacramento waived him early in free agency, and the six-time All-Star remains productive, averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds across 77 games last season. Toronto's cap sheet is tight enough that a veteran minimum is likely the only realistic offer, and DeRozan would slot behind Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett as a bench scorer, a role that would trim the usage that made him a fantasy staple in Sacramento. The roster picture is murkier still with Toronto's agreed-upon Kawhi Leonard trade on hold pending an NBA investigation. Sportsnet's Michael Grange has pushed back on the idea, calling a reunion unlikely given the cap and DeRozan's market elsewhere.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Yang Hansen Blocks Four Shots in Blazers Win Over Denver
Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen anchored the paint in Thursday's 108-101 Summer League win over the Nuggets, swatting four shots while scoring 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting with five rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 26 minutes. The second-year center helped knock Denver out of semifinal contention and has quietly built a case this summer, following an 18-point, 10-rebound game against Minnesota. Hansen logged just seven minutes per night as a rookie under Tiago Splitter, who has since taken over in Chicago, so a new Portland staff gives him a clean slate. The Blazers stocked the center room this offseason, though, so the rim protection and passing have to carry over.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Trevon Brazile Stays Productive in Denver's Vegas Defeat
Denver Nuggets forward Trevon Brazile followed his 32-point outburst with 19 points on 7-for-17 shooting in Thursday's 108-101 Summer League loss to the Trail Blazers, adding eight rebounds, one assist, and three blocks across 29 minutes. The 35th pick cooled from deep, hitting 2-for-6 after going 6-for-12 against Oklahoma City, but he protected the rim and worked the glass. That two-way profile is the appeal. Denver's frontcourt behind Aaron Gordon remains unsettled, with DaRon Holmes II and Zeke Nnaji both still to establish themselves, so bench minutes are available for a rebounder and shot-blocker who can space the floor next to Nikola Jokic.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Allen Graves Delivers Best Summer League Game Against Miami
Toronto Raptors forward Allen Graves turned in his best Summer League showing yet on Thursday, scoring 23 points on 8-for-16 shooting with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks over 27 minutes in a 99-90 win over Miami. Graves buried four threes, including the go-ahead triple after the Heat tied the game at 80. Seth Lundy backed him with 19 points and six assists as Toronto climbed to 3-1, though the Raptors missed the semifinals on point differential and will play a consolation game Saturday. The No. 19 pick has been the best player on Toronto's summer roster, but a rotation stocked with veterans means the realistic rookie outcome is bench minutes earned through shooting and defense.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cedric Coward Rediscovers His Shot in Grizzlies' Win
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward found his stroke in Thursday's 96-64 Summer League win over the Hawks, posting 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 24 minutes. The 22-year-old hit 2-for-4 from deep after going 3-for-14 from three across his first two Vegas games, and he needed only 24 minutes in a rout Memphis controlled from a 32-2 first quarter. Coward finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting last season, averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while starting 47 of 62 games. A Memphis roster rebuilt around Cameron Boozer and moving on without Ja Morant points him toward a heavier workload, and his fantasy ceiling climbs with it.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cameron Boozer Powers Grizzlies Into Summer League Semifinals
Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer led all scorers with 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting in Thursday's 96-64 Summer League rout of the Hawks, adding seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal across 29 minutes. The No. 3 pick shook off a two-game shooting slump by scoring at all three levels against a shorthanded Atlanta group. Memphis buried the game immediately, holding the Hawks to two first-quarter points, the fewest allowed in a quarter in Summer League history, while Cedric Coward chipped in 23 and Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 18. Boozer has reached 15 points in every outing this summer across Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. The win clinched a semifinal berth Saturday, so Memphis's headliner gets more reps rather than an early shutdown.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Caleb Wilson Closes Vegas Run With 21 Points Against Lakers
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson finished with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting in Thursday's 105-82 Summer League loss to the Lakers, adding eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block over 24 minutes. The No. 4 pick wrapped his Vegas run averaging 23.5 points and 7.3 rebounds across four games, a stretch that opened with a 35-point debut built on 7-for-11 from deep. His jumper cooled from there, and he hit just 1-for-6 on Thursday while Chicago shot 3-for-33 as a team from three-point range. Wilson also coughed up eight turnovers. He has the usage and a rebuilding roster around him to post real rookie numbers right away, but the ball security has to tighten before those minutes fully pay off.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Chris Manon Stays Hot in Lakers' Summer League Rout
Los Angeles Lakers guard Chris Manon tallied 16 points on 5-for-7 shooting in Thursday's 105-82 Summer League win over the Bulls, chipping in six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block over 19 minutes. The 24-year-old joined starters Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero in double figures as the Lakers stayed unbeaten in Las Vegas and clinched a spot in the tournament's playoff stage. Manon re-signed a two-way deal with Los Angeles earlier this month after logging just 46 minutes across nine NBA appearances as a rookie. His jumper has come around this summer, which had been the knock on a defense-first guard. The harder question is whether he can crack a contender's rotation, and that answer likely starts in South Bay.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
