The Draft and Stash Podcast
All things NBA draft. We will breakdown games, prospects, draft boards of all kinds; and we will try to teach what we know, while continuing to learn more about how to scout players for the NBA. If you love basketball and the NBA draft, you are in the right spot!
The Draft and Stash Podcast
Summer League's Best Games!
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Summer League is the one time of year where hope feels measurable, and the whole NBA world is in one building trying to spot who belongs. We’re back with a 2026 NBA Summer League viewing guide that cuts through the noise and turns July basketball into a clear plan: which games are actually worth your time, which rookies are under the brightest spotlight, and what skills translate when the regular season demands structure, spacing, and quick reads.
We start with quick takeaways from Salt Lake City and the California Classic, including why scoring guards often look better than they will in real rotations. I talk through early standouts and the overreaction machine, using Cam Carr as the perfect example of why one week of highlights can’t erase context. From there, we get into what Summer League really tests: effort, processing speed, defensive habits, and whether a prospect can play a role when the ball isn’t always in their hands.
Then it’s full Vegas mode. I break down the highest-leverage matchups on the schedule, including Warriors vs Mavericks, Jazz vs Wizards with Darren Peterson, AJ Dybansta and Ace Bailey, and Bulls vs Grizzlies with Caleb Wilson vs Cameron Boozer. We also hit Thunder vs Lakers, Suns vs Blazers, Raptors vs Rockets, Celtics vs Hornets, plus the second-week games to circle when rivalries and roster battles heat up.
I’ll be in Vegas for games, film, and live reactions, and the Draft and Stash podcast is expanding to YouTube with full film sessions and player breakdowns. Subscribe, and share this with all of your draft sicko friends, and leave a review with the player you want me to study next.
Welcome Back And Why July Rules
SPEAKER_00Welcome back to the Draft of the Stanish podcast. My name is Andrew. It is July 8th, 2026. The summer league is finally here, baby. It's one of my favorite times of the whole year. Before we can get into it, we gotta get the intro.
SPEAKER_01One of the most exciting preferences I can remember.
SPEAKER_00Man, it's good to be back. Last week, so much is going on. I got a little sick. I just uh there's just no way I'm still kind of getting over being sick and a little bit of a cough, but I had to do an episode for Summer League. I irrationally love the Summer League. I've I've watched it for 20 years now. I like it almost as much as the actual NBA. I don't know why. It just has this like Youth Springs Eternal type of feel to it. You know, everybody's playing their ass off. You know, so many guys are trying to get contracts, guys are trying to not get cut. You've got all the young, new, you know, you know, high-flying rookies are coming in. There's just so much fun stuff. The entire NBA landscape is in Vegas. It's just great, man.
Salt Lake And California Quick Hits
SPEAKER_00Before we can get to Vegas, though, let's talk about Salt Lake and the California Classic. All right. I just I'm not gonna go into a lot of these games. I think, you know, because this is that was kind of the preseason to the Vegas Summer League. Only what, like maybe 12 or 14 teams total, I think, played between all of this, between the California and Salt Lake. I think that's right. I could be wrong. It might just be eight teams, actually. So I think guys of note, Lakers, Cam Carr, you know, he famously, I won't say famously, but he slipped, I think, to pick 25 in this in the draft here recently. A lot of people were kind of stunned by that. There's a lot of overreaction from fans on Twitter. As soon as, you know, the player that your team took, you know, you know, doesn't do well and the other person does do well, then, you know, you just have this overreaction of, oh my God, like I can't believe our team, you know, didn't take Cameron Carr. Let me say this. I like Cameron Carr. I had him, I think, number 17 on my board. I think from just a pure talent standpoint, there was a reason he fell. You know, it's not always about basketball. Um, I I hope he kills it and does the best, but you know, how he responded in the Tennessee situation and some other stuff behind doors, you know, that stuff lingers and it matters. And sometimes people, you know, they'll they'll pass on you because of these things. Now, he looked really good for LA. You know, he's shooting it because we all knew that he could do that. You know, he's great in transition, he's a high flyer. So he's very exciting to watch. Also, the summer league, it favors guards more than anything else. There are so many people that are trying to earn jobs that are guards because it's the hardest position to actually make in the league that they don't pass. It's very rare that you're gonna get like, you know, you'll get Kingston Flemings who's actually passing the damn ball, you know, and everything. But most of the time, people are just trying to score and and they're just trying to prove that they can, you know, actually belong. But I think Cam Carr looks really good besides him. You know, I just mentioned Kingston Fleming. I think Egifort also looked pretty good. You know, you've got Yeager Demon also looked good. You know, he could he's continuing to, you know, just look like you know, a guy that can hit threes and pass the ball. He's actually showing a little bit of game in terms of getting to the rim. So that that's a really good growth there. Uh, you know, hopefully it it that lingers into the season.
Darren Peterson Buzz And Early Risers
SPEAKER_00You go to Utah, Darren Peterson. Man, he's looked awesome. You know, he just I think it's so funny that people are like shocked at like how good he is, and then all the people that were like, Yeah, you know, no duh. You know, we we've been we tried to say forever that the situation at Kansas wasn't great. The talent around him was not good. He that system, it just a lot of that stuff just didn't work, right? So I don't think it's shocking at all that he comes out and the first two games, I think he's averaging like 26 a game. He's like just shooting the lights out, he's getting into the paint, man. Like his handle is so smooth. At some point, I'll do like a film session on him. I just need to, you know, pick a game. But he he looked really good. His first game, you know, he did have eight turnovers, you know. I I still think he is, you know, a real combo guard. I I don't think he should be a primary on the ball. I just I don't think he has that type of chops, but insane score. He's gonna, I mean, I I I could see him averaging 30 a game, you know, at one point. So he was very exciting. Cody Williams looked, you know, pretty good actually for the Jazz. You know, he he's been pretty bad the last two years, looks to put on a little bit of weight. You know, some of his moves were you know looking pretty good. His his stroke from outside looked pretty good, so that was pretty cool. You know, you've also got Ace Bailey, who only played in one of the games, so I haven't really gotten the chance to watch him a lot. Go over to the Kings, you know, Darius Acuff had a uh a pretty splashy game in the first one where you know he shot 29 times, he only scored 25 points, so it was kind of like super low efficient. The second game versus the Bucks, which I I am doing a film session on, that will be out this week, I guess depending on when you hear this, and he did score better, but there was still a lot to be desired in that game as well, which I will get into. You know, going to the Grizzlies, obviously Cameron Boosier looked very good. You know, he's averaging, I think, over 16 a game on like six shots a game or something. Like, you know, he is just you know, he's getting to the line, like he's good at that. His he's passing well, he's you know, his ability to seal has been really good, his passing from you know, the top of the key has been good, he's been strong on the ball, like all the things we thought he'd be good at, he's doing very well. The thing is, like I said uh you know, a few minutes ago, is that people just don't pass the ball in turn leagues. So, you know, his scoring was not going to be where it probably will be in the actual season. And that's because like once the season starts, people will actually hand him the ball, you know. But you just watch and you go, wow, like you know, him and and Calvert is you know is scoring pretty well. You know, he he missed some shots in the first game, the second one, he looked pretty good. Calvert's playmaking has been has left a lot to be desired. You know, his defense has been fine, his rebounding, of course, is great. You know, he just looks good there. You know, he looks to have added about 10 pounds of muscle. All that looks good. I just don't think, like like Darren Peterson, I just do not think Calvert needs to be on the ball. I, you know, I just he doesn't process at the level at which you need to to hit the open guy before he knows he's open. You know, and that's what you kind of need right now in the league because people are so smart. Beyond him, Taylor Hendricks has also looked good. And yeah, Javon Small, I think, will be more of a scoring classic 3 and D guard. I do not think he will be somebody that I trust to create uh for others. He just I he just there was too many times when there were people open around him and he just didn't even look their way. And I don't know if that's a tunnel vision thing, but I don't see him as being, you know, that creation type. But
What Summer League Actually Tests
SPEAKER_00that was, you know, then and and we're moving on to Vegas. So very excited. What I've got here is all the games that if you don't have a lot of time to watch every single game, then I've got like six games here that I think have got the most bang for your buck, the most talent. And uh we're gonna go through them and talk a little bit about the players, a little bit about why the game I picked it and why you should care. All right.
Vegas Viewing Guide And Game One
SPEAKER_00The first game of note, I think, is the Warriors versus the Mavericks, July 9th. Why this game matters. This is one of the better opening games because it features a mix of NBA ready rookies, developmental wings, several players that will be competing for roster spots. While they're not while there's not a lot of household name guys, like what you know, in terms of these lottery matchups, there are multiple players here who could carve out rotation roles over the next couple seasons. We look at the Golden State Warriors. Yax Lindeborg had a really good game when he played the first time. He looked just okay in the second one, but he is one of the most versatile forwards in the class. You know, Jaxel impacts the game in a bunch of ways. He's a really good rebounder, he's a willing passer. He shows that, you know, he should be able to defend multiple positions. He's a pretty good ball handler as well. So I'll be watching if his offensive game can continue to translate, you know, against NBA competition and these like higher level athletes. So that's gonna be something to watch, you know, throughout July. I already brought up Nick Boyd, you know, as a player that you know was somebody to watch on teams that you might want to know. If you didn't see that video, I put it up on my ex account. But basically, I had you know targeted Nick Boyd as somebody that I think might make the Warriors roster. He's a really steady lead guard. You know, he he made a name for himself by being a really good processor. He's got really good shot from outside. I think some of them would be a really good chance for him to just show that he can play in that NBA organized type of offense while being a really low mistake guy. Moving on, you've got Lej Jones. He's a really athletic, you know, wing. He I think his his path to the NBA is really simple. It's gonna be high energy defense and being able to just hit open shots. If he can do those three things, it should get him a real contract, you know, in some kind of way. I mean, at least a two-way. You know, you can't teach what he's able to do athletically. And if he can just, you know, carve out some really other strong skills here and there, which which he's close. You know, it's all gonna be about you know his him him being able to actually train. I wonder if he gets an actual invite to Cam. That would be you know very cool for him. Moving to the Mavericks. Sorry, obviously, Merez Johnson. I I've talked about him for like an hour and a half, I think, total time out of all my episodes. Johnson is one of the premier young big men in this event, obviously, you know, uh his rebounding, his rim protection are already very high levels. I think scouts will really be watching to see how comfortable he's gonna be defending in space and making quick reads offensively. You know, one of the things are, you know, is his ceiling capped by his ability to shoot? Possibly. Is his ceiling capped by him being able to play make to some degree? I think that that both of those are fair, you know, questions. But I as I've said, even without those, I think he can be a starting level big for you because he does the other things so so well. Like very small amount of people his size with at 250, he's 6'10 in shoes, huge wingspan. You know, he should be able to play up a lot of the time as well. I not against every center, but I think if he goes up against like a smaller, thin center, I think he'll be you know fine. You know, so it's really gonna be about can he do the things that he was awesome at in college and then translate that here as well. And if he's able to grow beyond that, man, I think it'd just be like a really, really good pick here. Uh next up is Ryan Neemhard. You know, you might not know him if you're you know more of a casual fan, but he was pretty good for Dallas last year. You know, I I'm I'm I'm glad that he's coming to play here in the summer league. You know, he might not overwhelm you physically, but he does process the game at like a really high level. Uh his passing, his pace, you know, he's got really good, he's really good, you know, in the pick and roll actions. I think it gives him a chance to come back for Dallas. I think that you know, he was a really good find for them, even in a situation that was kind of limiting based on you know, the Mavericks were kind of tanking. So, you know, I don't really know how to say that like in a nice way, but even with that, I think he might be a player for them. I was really excited to see Tyler Smith here. He was drafted out of the G League at night. That that failed experiment, he was one of the guys who got drafted out of there by the Bucks, and he kind of, you know, it's kind of like you know, Chris Sinak to a certain degree. You know, both were these like six, nine forwards that were bouncy and who who kind of projected as these guys that can shoot. But Tyler just hasn't been able to, you know, really add anything else. So he's he's still kind of struggling, but he still has that size. He he can still shoot. His consistency has been you know bad for the last couple of years. I think Summer League really gives him another chance here to show that if he's grown a little bit, you know, maybe he can make a team, you know, if not with the Mavericks, maybe with somebody else. Beyond that, you've got Jaden Springer. Uh Springer has already spent time in the NBA, so his expectations are a little bit different. Rather than proving you know he belongs, he's most likely trying to show that he he deserves to come back and play at like a larger role and maybe like a full-time contract. You know, he was great out of Tennessee, and he's just been kind of like this this fringe guy. Then you have Toby Lawall, he's a really interesting like athlete. You know, he's good in transition, good rebounder. Like that could be a lot of fun in summer league. You know, he's another guy that was undrafted, I believe, or I could be wrong there, but I think that he shows talent. He just needs work still. And then finally, Sergio De La Reya. He was the the enigmatic guard out of Spain, six foot six, big wingspam, good shooter, really good passer as well. His defense will need work, he's a little slow sliding. I didn't know if he was gonna come over or not, but apparently they're working on a buyout, actually. But he he, for the time being, will be in ceremony with them. We'll see if he actually gets to come over. I would love for him to come over. I mean, like, he's really young, I think he's 18 or 19, but I would love for him to start maybe you know playing with with Cooper and with Morez. Like that could be a really, really fun piece that they got at the end of the first round. So, really, what I'm watching for here is can Merez control the paint? I'm watching him versus Yaxel. That's gonna be fun because Yaxel feels as though he should have been taken probably exactly where Merez is. You know, I want to see if Ryan Neemhard can dictate the tempo of the game, which of these wings are able to separate themselves defensively, and you know, can Yaxel show enough offensive creation here to show the Warriors that he needs to be starting and get a bigger piece there. Moving
Jazz Vs Wizards Must-Watch Showcase
SPEAKER_00on from there, you have the Jazz Wizards, man. I mean, like, what's what's not to even say about this game, right? This is if you're only gonna watch one game on opening day, this has to be it. This matchup features two of the biggest names in the draft. There's a bunch of lottery picks, both these teams are stacked. This feels almost like an NBA game. It's gonna be. I'm so sad that I'm not getting there that I won't be in Vegas until the 10th. I would have loved to have seen this game live. But you know, obviously, I already talked about you know, Darren Peterson with the Utah Jazz. He enters the summer league with high expectations. You know, he's assumed to be this franchise cornerstone, really advanced shot creator for his age, plays with great pace, he's strong, you know, he does have playmaking instincts. I just would rather him be a secondary. But I'm really wanting to see how efficiently he's able to create separation. He was doing a very good job against Cedar Coward. Cedar Coward is a long, good athlete and a good defender. And the way that Peterson was able to shift his his movement and energy, you know, from you know, as he switched with I can split this with his left to right dribbles and right to left, you know, him him just going full energy, it was he didn't lose any speed. It was very impressive as Coward was retreating. And you would think at some point there would be like a hesitation of movement, but Peterson was just able to just like almost like silk, man. Just I'm I'm just very, very impressed with him so far. Very exciting. Ace Bailey is up next. I think Bailey will probably go at this game, you know, also pretty hard. He famously was, you know, I won't say famously for him, but the uh jazz fan base was very upset that he wasn't a first team guy. Um, he didn't play in the last two games for Utah, but he might possess the highest scoring ceiling in this game. You know, he he has all the tools that you need in summer league to really be uh exciting and and high scoring. So I'm I'm I'm very curious to see that. Already talked about Cody Williams, obviously. You know, I think that this is just a very pivotal summer in general for him. He's going to his third year, he's playing in Summer League. Not always a great sign. Sometimes there you know is specific circumstances for that, but we'll see how that goes. And then Jackson Culler was another guy that I mentioned in my video about players to watch. He looks uh he looks like the Miz from WWE for some reason. I know he just his armbands and his haircut. I was like, he looks like a damn wrestler. So where Coller is a rugged rebounder who consistently impacts the game through effort and physicality. Summer League is a perfect chance for him to prove that he can defend quicker NBA bigs while also expanding his role beyond just finishing on the basket. He did hit some outside shots, so you know, he's a guy that could easily be like maybe like a cheap person on all, you know, maybe on like a two-way. Or, you know, if not for them, I'm sure that there is a few other teams. Moving to the wizard size of things, obviously AJ DeBanseda, the number one pick in the 2026 draft. Everybody thinks he will be this, you know, franchise superstar player for the Wizards. He should be the best ticket. I don't know how many games he's actually going to play in summer league. Uh, usually the top guys maybe maybe put in like three games. But I'm excited to see him versus Darren Peterson, also him versus Ace Bailey. I believe AJ lost to everybody in the top three, either in high school or in college. And Darren Peterson has a history of beating AJ. So this will be a lot of fun. He's gonna be playing with Trey Johnson, who was their top pick last year. I believe he was pick number six. And, you know, he had an okay rookie year, is very up and down, but you know, he he was you know kind of came in as this pure outside shooter type. So I'm excited to see, you know, if his movement shooting has gotten better, you know, if he's if he's you know going to be running off screens, if he's gonna be playing on ball more. So I'm really excited to see where his current development is. Then you got Will Riley, who, you know, kind of I would say came on late, but he was you know a later first-round pick for them. He's kind of like a six foot six, bigger guard. He might be actually taller than that. And, you know, as the year went on, like he became like this really fun on-ball player threat at guard for them when they just had so many extra minutes to just store around. And he's kind of become a player that I think is a really fun piece for them. Moving on from him, you have Kidari Richman, who I talked to a like a person that I met with the within the Wizards organization, and he just mentioned Kidari as a guy to look out for that he's been working on his game, you know, you know, throughout the summer and everything else. So I'm excited to see what he has to offer as well. Uh Richmond, you know, he brings experience, he's he's very tough on defense. Uh, you know, he's able to impact the games with without even scoring a lot. And I think summer league will really show where his game has has gone to. If his shooting is uh is gotten as good as as I've heard, his ball handling is, you know, he might be like a really fun piece for them as well. Then you've got Felix Akpara from the vols there, he's a big man. He he has really good size, you know, shot blocker. I just I kind of want to see what else he's able to do here, you know. I don't know, he he's a little slow-footed, so uh maybe he can carve out some kind of role like a Daniel Gaffert or something. I just he's just he's not very fleet of foot. So we'll see how that gets going there. Uh so things to obviously watch for is Darren Peterson versus AJ DeBonsta, which stars are actually able to take control of this game. You know, is Trey Johnson looking good? So just all these things are gonna be fun. That is a much a must-watch game. Moving
Bulls Vs Grizzlies Rivalry Energy
SPEAKER_00on to the 10th, you have the Bulls versus the Grizzlies. Obviously, I will be in attendance for this. I'm very excited. This is gonna be Caleb Wilson versus Cameron Boozer. Number one, I think this could be a big rivalry. Both of those guys like to beat each other. Caleb Wilson has already said he that you know he he you know basically beat everybody else in college, and he uh can't wait to also do that in the pros. He feels very slighted to have gone fourth, you know. And so him and Cameron Boozer, I think, are just gonna try to go to war with each other. Should be so much fun. The first time that they played, that was a lot of fun. You know, Caleb Wilson exploded onto the scene in in that game, basically. So, I mean, that is just gonna be there's so much talent in this game, also. You know, you you look at the Bulls, they have Caleb Wilson, obviously, Dalen Swain, who's a guy that I wanted the Grizzlies to take, but he went 15, one pick ahead of them. Dalen Swain out of Texas, great on-ball guard wing, you know, six foot five, six foot six. He's got a pretty good wingspan. I want to see if he's able to play off the ball. I think that would be really, really big in terms of his ability to expand his game. You have Noah Hessenge, who famously was dunked on so hard, he became a meme for an entire year. His face, everybody thought that it was photoshopped, it looked so egregious. I'm just heard that he's grown a little bit. So he's he's maybe like a few inches taller. Uh, he's put on a little bit of muscle. So I'm sure he's wanting to come back and just just kill everybody. I'm sure. Toby Owaka is a very physical rebounder, does a lot of the dirty work. I think if he can continue to rebound at a high level and defend without fouling, he'll really give himself a chance to earn a roster spot. But that's that that last part there is very important. Um, he is a little too aggressive at times. So hopefully, you know, he's a his is you know composure is better, I guess, here. And then, you know, I like I had to mention Kennedy Chandler, man. He, you know, famously was he's from Memphis area, got drafted by the Grizzlies, and you know, just didn't really pan out. They ended up having to cut him during a year of injuries. And you know, he's always been kind of small, but I I love that he is just working his ass off to stay around, and I'm excited to see what he's gonna be doing with the Bulls. I don't know if it'd be starting at a point for them, but that could be a lot of fun. Moving to the Grizzlies, obviously, I talked a lot about these players. You know, Cameron Boozer is is great. You know, there's not much else to say. Cedric Cowboard looked good in the Salt Lake games, you know. Like I already said, you know, he's scoring from outside. I just his passing has left a lot to be desired here. Uh Javon Small is scoring well, but also his passing has left a lot to be desired here. Taylor Hendricks looked very, very good in the opening game. I think he had like 15 and 6 in the first half. Then he went up for like a tip pass to block a shot from Mara or whatever. Mara's his like speed ran into Hendricks and they were like completely in the air. It undercut Hendrix and he fell on his back and his backside. I mean, like from at least you know three feet and just hit the ground really hard. Thankfully, he didn't, you know, land on any limbs. He didn't land on his hands, he didn't you know turn an ankle, he didn't hit his head. So he did miss the last uh you know game. And he played in I think in the Hawks game a little bit. But I'm excited for him. Corinne Lopez didn't get to play at all in Salt Lake. We'll see if he's going to play in Vegas. Apparently, he has a little bit of a hamstring issue that he picked up while doing workouts before the draft. But they they they said he should play. And then there's Walter Clayton, you know, Walter Clayton Jr., who is came over from Utah, you know, and he you know felt a certain way about that. And then he got here and Javon Small really outplayed him. So I'm sure that he is really trying to show his worth before it's too late. And that that sounds dumb to say, but it's so competitive in the NBA that guys can get dealt really quickly. But you know, he was somebody out of college, a little bit older, out of Florida, helped them win a championship, looked to be a really great scorer from the outside. He just didn't really shoot that well, man. So I'm hoping that that that's kind of like fixed up a little bit here. Uh Omax Prosper, man, he was a late ad last year for the Grizzlies. You know, he came on, he had, I think, a two-way deal originally with them. Dallas had kind of just, you know, throwing him away. And he embodies everything that people love in Memphis, which is you, you, you just you fight until you've got nothing left to give, and you, you just enjoy every minute of basketball. Like, like he's a high flyer, he plays hard on defense, he can guard, you know, one through four. You know, he he's good at the rim, you know, he his shot has gotten a lot better. So he's looked very impressive so far. I'm hoping that this is a a real growth and not just like a small little like spurt here. And then finally, another guy that I talked about in my video, Carson Cooper, just you know, a big out of Michigan State. You know, he he's like thick with muscle, but he's a really good, you know, downhill rim runner, a good, you know, lob finisher, pretty strong at setting screens or rebounding. So uh, you know, just things that like I'm watching for is obviously you know, Calvert versus Swain will be fun, Noah Essengay against all the bigs in Memphis, you know, Cameron Booster versus Caleb. Like that game's gonna be just so much NBA you know caliber talent, man. It's gonna be great.
Thunder Vs Lakers Sleepers And Comebacks
SPEAKER_00Also in the 10th, you have the Thunder and the Lakers. The Thunder played in uh Salt Lake City, they lost all of their games, but I still think their roster has a lot of talent on it that is worth mentioning. They drafted Otega Owe in the second round here recently, I think in the 30s, actually. You know, he was an older wing, not a great shooter, but you know, he he scores, he's a great slasher, you know, he's a good athlete, pretty smart player, you know, just overall good size. You know, he he looks to be a pretty valuable two-way guy. You have uh obviously I picked 12, they took Idai Mara, the Spanish giant. And, you know, he is I don't know if he's insurance for Isaiah Hartenstein that they plan to move them, even though they just signed Isaiah. It's like a pretty long deal. Uh, but I die, you know, looked pretty good at times, but he also looked behind as well. Like he looked a little gassed. You know, uh, you know, he would go through motions where you know he would score a bucket and do something, and then he would just give up something bad, or or he would get beaten or just or foul, you know, just so it's it's gonna be a work, obviously, with him, but he has looked solid. Bennett Sturge just looked really good, obviously. You know, the you know, older point guard. He he did a lot of things well in college. And you know, I'm I'm pretty excited for him with the Thunder. I think you know, he gives them a little bit more insurance if they want to get off of like an AJ Mitchell or Caseon Wallace and maybe load up on picks again. You know, Peyton Sanford is a really good shooter, he's he's one of the best probably in the summer league, uh, you know, but he got murdered by Cameron Bootcher the entire game. I don't know why they were playing him at the four. He's only about 6'6. It was awful to see how how you know physically overwhelmed he was. So maybe I'm hoping he gets put in a different situation where he can shine a little bit more. Lamar Wilkerson's another guy that I had talked about as a person to watch for the Thunders roster. He's an older rookie, but he's a great shooter, good handle, you know, he's quick. It just, you know, we need to see more on both ends for him to really have a chance here. And then, you know, Christoph Tilley is a German big man. He also played at, I'm sorry, well, he played at Ohio State. Uh, you know, really, really good athlete, strong. Uh, you know, he didn't play directly with Christian Anderson and Hannes Stombat, but he came up in the same like, you know, German that you know, German, I don't say like super league, but you know, in in the under 16, under 17, under 18, and everything. So uh he could have been a really good steal here. Moving to the Lakers, I think that they have some fun, some like pretty fun players. You've got Robbie Avila, who is just become this, you know, lovable, you know, I don't say like he's like a yokic of types, but you know, people have unfortunately when you look a little different, people tend to give you more attention and then they give you really bad nicknames and stuff. So you know, people have kind of been clowning on him a little bit, but that doesn't mean he's not, you know, obviously really good. You know, he's a really good passer, especially for his size and and his shooting is pretty good. And you know, he he plays really hard. So I think he'll be worth a watch in LA, especially for a team that has no depth for big men. I already brought up Cameron Carr. I think he'll be one of the most you know electric people to watch. Peter Souter is actually worth you know watching. I believe he played at Miami, Ohio. I believe that's right. He's an older, you know, six foot four guard. He can shoot, but he doesn't really do much else. He just, you know, he you know, he's you know, he's just incredibly efficient. You know, he scores, he can shoot at like all three levels, you know, he's an okay athlete, but you know, he's not really good at anything else. We'll see how he's added to his game between you know the in a college and now. Uh Dothero is somebody that I really liked last year, just generally because he's one of the most explosive people around. And so I think he'll be worth some highlights, you know, in general. So that'll be a lot of fun to watch. Zaire Smith, man. Smith's journey back to professional basketball, you know, has been really remarkable. Uh he, you know, he's no longer viewed as that young prospect. I think certainly gives him another opportunity to show his athleticism and his ability on defense. You know, so I this is like a really good chance for him. So hopefully he can show some people something. Sorry, I'm trying to like you know herd this up a little bit so it's not a long listing for everybody. Uh
Suns Vs Blazers Bigs And Shooters
SPEAKER_00also July 10th, we have the Suns versus the Blazers. At first, I was like, man, I don't know if I want to mention these teams, but then when I started to look at the at the rosters, I was like, man, like there's a lot of players here though that I really like. And more so on the side of Phoenix. We go in with, you know, common Mulla Watch, I think he was taken ninth or tenth last year. I can't remember exactly where. Uh maybe eighth actually. But the Suns, you know, he was the this really impressive big man, looked to be have really great rim protection, you know, uh his upset on defense looked really good. So it it's you know, and then they they you know moved off of their other centers, you know. So he should be the starter from day one. And you know, I I want to see if he's worth that or not, man. Like, you know, I I wasn't a big fan of his out of college, so I'm hoping that he proves me wrong here and and just really, you know, just shows everybody why he was, you know, why he was such a high draft pick. Next, you have Coa Pete, who man, he had such a weird draft range, right? You know, because at one point he was 10th and then he dropped to like 20th, and then he moved back up to 15, then dropped to the 20s, and he just never really regained any momentum. You know, he had a really good like first month or so, then he got kind of injured and he came back and he just never really did enough after that. You know, he was a really great you know player in high school. He played with all the other guys, like Cameron Boozer and all those guys, and you know, then people saw him shooting at the combine, and that looked kind of funky, but I liked him more than you know uh Krim Lopez. I would have rather had Kobe Pete if you're going in that range in general. But I I think so the Suns you know actually traded up at two pick 30 to get Koa. And I think it's the right type of upside swing, man, you know, because if they're right, then they get a player who could give them you know real minutes in the at that you know power forward spot. Moving on from him, you have Kobe Brea, who I really liked last year as like a round two shooter out of Kentucky. I'm hoping that he has improved his defense, maybe improved his handle a little bit, but he should be one of the best shooters as well in the summer league. And just in general, I think that would add a lot of value, especially because they just lost, you know, Grayson Allen and they lost Royce O'Neill and some of the guys. So, you know, he he could get some time here. Then one of my favorite guys in the draft last year was Sheer Fleming. Man, just great size, great, you know, uh wingspan, good athlete, awesome at defense. He could switch. Nobody really knew if his three-point shot was real because it did not come on to his last year in college, and it wasn't like this crazy volume, it was a little slower to look at, but you know, he's really played well in like for them in their you know, G League system, and he played a little bit here and there, you know, when they had injuries. And uh a lot of people there think that he'll get a like a bigger role going forward. So maybe he'll be in that you know, 10-man rotation or so. I'm excited to see that. I've really liked him. So I'm hoping to see a lot in this game from him. And then finally, you have uh CJ Huntley, he's a really intriguing, you know, stretch big. You know, he's shown flashes as a shooter and a rebounder at times. I think Summer League will really show if he can do those things consistently, if he's worked on his game enough to really play up to the you know players around him, or if he's more of just like a G-League, you know, type you know, type of talent. Moving to the Blazer side, obviously Hansen Yang you know was picked 16 last year. He was in that center coward, you know, you know, that like you know trade-up situation. A lot of people were like, why didn't you just keep center coward? But certain people really liked Yang. So he has really good chops as a passer, pretty good feel in the paint. You know, I'm just wondering if his if his you know toughness and his tenacity will allow him to play the the game here in the NBA. Because even though it's not as physical as it used to be, it's still, I mean, there's still like a lot of you know elbows and guys getting held and then like a lot of stuff that that's not called. So I'm I'm in I'm interested to see if his physicality has gotten better. Jalen Martin is a very explosive athlete. You know, he has like slowly developed over the past couple of years. His path to you know having a like at least like a somewhat long NBA career is gonna come through him being able to defend multiple positions and really just being able to shoot, man. Like if he can, you know, you know, just hit that clip at like 36 or 37 percent, you know, that should give him enough credibility to you know at least get a contract of some kind. You have Allo Diara. I got I I don't know, I I think it's might be like Alio. I can't say the guy's name, but Diara is an energy big, is really going to mainly impact the game through you know being able to protect the rim, rebounding, but he has a really great motor. So I think throughout Vegas, I don't know if he sticks with Portland, but I think he'll be just one of those like players that annoys the other team because he just he's gonna go after every loose ball, he's gonna go after every rebound, he's gonna fight harder, and you know, those guys usually can earn earn time. And then finally, we have Jason Kent. He's a pretty versatile forward, he's got a pretty intriguing like offensive tool set. I think he'll be looking to prove that he can consistently space the floor and also be able to defend multiple positions, you know. The the NBA, you have to be so versatile now to even it's just it's it just takes so much skill now, you know. So uh that I think those are the players on on Portland to like really, you know, try to watch there. Obviously, Hansen Yang versus Malawatch is gonna be a lot of fun. So that I think that is worth watching.
Raptors Vs Rockets Developmental Chess Match
SPEAKER_00On July 11th, we have the Raptors versus the Rockets. This game won't have the headline names of like an opening night, but it may feature some of the best basketball of the tournament. Both of these organizations have built reputations for developing talent, and these rosters are filled with players who understand how to play winning basketball. If you are, if you just enjoy evaluating role players, defenders, and future pieces, this is a game you'll want to keep an eye on. You know, you look at the Raptors with Jaden Bradley, he's super tough, very competitive guard, does a really great job at controlling pace. I'd really be watching to see if he can consistently create offense without with while limiting turnovers against these like really athletic guards for the Rockets. Nate Biddle is a very interesting big man out of Oregon. He shoots, man. Like his shot is is pretty legitimate. He's a good defender on the post. Like he's not athletic and he's not really gonna get up, but he's got a lot of size to him. He's got pretty good, you know, uh, you know, his reach and wingspan is is pretty good as well. And he's you know, he's seven foot. He's not gonna be athletically really blocking shots, but his timing is is very good. So I could see him, you know, maybe you know, find him some room here with the Raptors, who probably need more backups. Obviously, the big name for them is gonna be calling Murray Boyles. I had more, I think I had Boyles seven on my board last year. I can't remember exactly where he ends up going ninth. Murray Boyles is one of the most polished defenders already, you know, and just in general, but also at the summer league. You know, he's got you know crazy physicality, he's rebounding, his instincts on defense. They already translate to the NBA level, you know, and I'm really interesting to see where his offensive game has gotten to. There's been all this talk about, you know, shooting, shooting, shooting. And to me, I've always said of the six things that I personally value, if you're good at four of them, you can make the league. And I think he's good at five of them, it just not shooting, right? I think that he has become probably somebody that people have called about, trying to trade for, and you know, the Raptors will not do that. He's gonna be a really big piece for them, and man, he could help them win a championship. So I'm very excited. Moving on, you've got Elijah Martin. He brings really you know toughness, a lot of energy as well. You know, he's it's really he's he's a good athlete, his defense will be pretty strong as well. You know, he seems to always be in the right spots, and then of course, Alan Graves, they drafted him at 19. Some people were kind of shocked by this. I believe Sam Vicini said on like their last mock draft of the year that he could totally see Alan Graves going here. So, you know, shout out to him for calling his shot there. And Graves just kind of fits their really, you know, funky, we like really big players that can do a bunch of stuff, you know, type of model that they're going on. He is, I mean, he should be a good to a prospect. His defense, I'm still worried about. I don't know how he'll do in one-on-one situations. His offensive game, I don't know how he creates for himself either. He I think his shot will be real from the outside. I think he'll be able to score in transition. I think he'll be able to score in like dives. I just don't know how else I don't see a world where he puts the ball on the floor. He just, you know, he's I just he doesn't have that you know fluidity to it. So, but I'm excited to see him also in the summer league moving to the other side. One of my favorite picks in the draft, Bruce Thornton, uh, was picked number 31 by the Rockets. Thornton is one of the most polished point guards in the summer league. He plays with strength, confidence, a great pace. You know, he's someone that could eventually develop into a real backup point guard. The Rockets coach is already are like already praising his toughness and and his his overall just on court leadership. I love I love Bruce Thornton, man. I was kind of hoping that maybe the Grizzlies would kind of get in there, even though we have a bunch of guards, but he he's a shorter, but he's got a great reach. He's like 225 pounds of muscle. I don't know how he's so good because you you look at his his his size profile and he just scores, man. He scores from the outside, scores from the mid-range, he scores in the paint, he gets the paint with ease, he doesn't turn it over, he does all the things you need for a really good backup point guard. And I think he could be a guy that probably takes you know, Reed Shepard's job as well. From him, another player that I really liked was Kadir Copeland. You know, I think I had him like 46 on my board, big guard, really quick. You know, he he can handle well, he he can cut, he rebounds, he plays with a lot of effort. And him, dude, his assist rate, I think, was like 42%. It was great. The only issues is he just does not shoot the basketball from outside, and that is going to be a like a just a major issue for him. So, and he doesn't like he's not even a bad shooter. That's weird. Like, but his his shooting from you know free throw is not bad. You know, he had a pretty good free throw rate. He just literally does not shoot threes. I I don't know why he doesn't do it. I don't know if maybe the way that he plays on the ball, it just doesn't let him do that. He was also one of the most, you know, like unassisted people in terms of scoring as well. So I think he could be really good for Houston. So I'm I'm very excited to see him you move on uh to Dyson Knicks. He was in that league system, you know, as well. He's a person who's now returning to the centre league, looking to earn another opportunity. He's had a bunch of other you know NBA chances and stops. He's got good size, passing ability. It's always intriguing, but you know, his consistency is just never there. His decision making is always a thing. So, you know, I as long as you're young and big, you know, people will you know keep keep giving you chances. Up next is Tristan Newton. Newton's also a really steady guard. You know, I think it's I don't think it's shocking that they have so many guards of note on this team after that was their biggest issue last year. But you know, Newton is he is gonna be able to help in almost every category. You know, he's not flashy, but he's got a really good basketball IQ, his game all around, he's just a really interesting player to be in the system. So I I just I don't know, I don't think Houston can sign all these guys, obviously. So I'm wondering who gets the exhibit 10, who gets those two ways. And then finishing off, man, I did not know that they picked up Oscar Clough. It's kind of funny. If you go to Bartorvik and look at players that uh resemble Cameron Boozer, Oscar Clough's name kind of comes up, even though he doesn't do a lot of stuff like Boozer, but he he does like four or five things to his level uh in terms of his you know rebounding rate, his ability to shoot, and like a few other and like his I think his true shooting percentage and his usage or something. But you know, so I I like this. He is he's a really physical player, you know, he rebounds, he he he also affects the game in like a bunch of ways. So I'm excited to see how he does in like a more NBA setting here. Obviously, I want to see Bruce Thornton against Bradley, you know. I I think all that's gonna be great. I'm excited to see, you know, Grays versus like Clough and just how disruptive C and B is gonna be. So that game's gonna be a lot of fun, right? Moving on from
Celtics Vs Hornets Depth And Defense
SPEAKER_00there on the July 12th, we have the Celtics versus the Hornets. This game is a great opportunity to watch two organizations that have quietly built strong collections of young talent. Boston's roster features several players trying to establish themselves as future rotation pieces. While Charlotte brings one of the deeper and more balanced Cerman League teams into Vegas, there may not be a future superstar matchup here, but there are plenty of players who could become very valuable NBA contributors over the next few years. We look at Boston, they took Chrisinak at the end of the first round. You know, I've it's pretty, you know, cataloged how I feel about Chrisinek. I think he's two years away from being of use on a rotation level, you know, but he is a great athlete. He's got good size, you know, his shooting will be valuable. I just he doesn't do anything else of note. I mean, like you can say rebounding, but sure, I guess. You know, we'll we'll see how he does against other people that are, you know, his size are bigger. Hugo Gonzalez, I really liked him out of Spain. And you know, he he looked pretty good of note. He was also the person, apparently, that Boston did not want to give to the Bucks in that trade for Giannis. So we'll see how how that pressure now goes onto him. But you know, he's he's already showing that he he's ready for a larger NBA role. He's a really versatile wing. So I'm excited to see where his game has gone. Dylan Mitchell's back, he's one of the best athletes on Boston's roster in general. Defense, rebounding, really good transition play. You know, all those are already, you know, strong tools. He just, you know, his shooting has always been an issue, even out of Weaver State, and his consistency on offense. John Tanji is, you know, obviously a more mature player. You know, he's he's a bigger, he's more of like a physical, you know, wing type of guy, you know, guard, I guess. But he's shown the ability to score at all three levels. I think Summer League will be a really good opportunity for him to show that you know he's more than just being able to score. I want to see if his shot making can work against you know bigger people as well. And then finally we have Milos Uzon, played out of Houston, a really tough guard. You know, him and you know, Kingston really made it hard for people. You know, he he really looks rushed, you know, even in crazy situations. He's very poised. His decision making and his ability to run the offense just always make him a more interesting guard just in general, and especially on this Boston roster. I'm really excited to see how he handles the uh pressure that I believe that will come from the Hornets in this game, especially with you know Seon James, because you know, him and you know Boswell, you know, as well. So you know we'll just kind of talk about the Hornets a little bit. Uh Sion James, you know, is it's like one of the definitions of just what a winning player is. He defends, he rebounds, he's got good size, good athlete, moves the ball, he understands his role, you know, and you know, players like him often outperform expectations, and those are kind of the guys that you need in that like at the end of your you know, 10-minute rotations. Christian Anderson, uh Texas Tech sophomore, really great shooter. He is smaller, only like I don't think 183, 84 pounds. He's like 6'2. He might be the the best shooter in this draft class. So I'm excited for that. I'm sure that he'll be able to gun it from outside. His his passing is also really strong. You know, he just doesn't really get to the paint that much. So I'm wondering how he's gonna be able to further, you know, kind of develop. And if playing off the ball is gonna be one of those main things. Ryan Caught Brenner played a lot for the Hornets last year. He's already established himself as one of the better defensive centers. Uh his rim protection is become his calling card, but you know, he's continuing to improve his mobility and offensive versatility is really what he's gonna need to do to expand his role. I don't know if he's able to give more. You know, he's older, he's not old, but just in terms of like a you know prospect age, you know, he's not much from outside, but you know, him and Hannes together is gonna be a lot of fun. I think that they pair very well together. Speaking of Hannes Steinbeck, uh, he's one of the more interesting big men in the summer league as well. His he was the best rebounder in his draft class, great feel for the game, really physical. You know, it's just really on defense how it's gonna work. So I'm excited to see him and and Cal Brenner together in the summer league to see how they just dominate people. Uh, you know, Callum Boswell, super tough, older guard, plays with a lot of confidence. Um, you know, he does a really good job at pressuring the ball on defense, really smart decisions. So I think he'll be Just a big headache for people that have to play against him. And we end with Liam McNeely, drafted out of Yukon last year. Really good shooter, good size. I'm wondering if he's able to do more and uh maybe earn a bigger role going forward now that like Miles Bridges is gone and you know a few other guys. And then of course T John Saloon remains one of the highest upside guys for Charlotte, you know, hasn't really gone over that well in two years, you know, so inconsistent. You know, he's gotten a little bit bigger, you know, he's starting to show more versatility, you know, on defense and stuff. It's just, I don't know, he's still got a lot of refining to go on. So, you know, you just kind of look at that pick, you're just like, man, should they have just taken you know Donovan Klingon there, you know, instead? But you know, you can't look back. So moving on from there, we have got the Bulls
Second-Week Marquee Matchups To Circle
SPEAKER_00versus the Jazz on the July 13th. This is one of the most anticipated games of the second half of the summer league. It features another showdown between two of the top prospects in the draft. Obviously, Caleb Wilson versus Darren Peterson is gonna be just so much fun, them going at it. You know, can Ace Bailey be the best player on the floor? That's another thing worth you know watching here. Can can Dylan Swain maybe like take on that matchup? You know, which which of these young cores are gonna be looking better? You know, pace versus execution. It's just it's gonna be a really, really fun game. I hopefully I get to go to that one. We'll see. Moving on. 13th, you also have the Grizzlies and the Mavericks. I put this one on here because Cam Boozer versus Marez Johnson is gonna be just a heavyweight bout. You know, uh, some people have said that Merez Johnson should be able to handle Boozers, so I'm excited to see how he goes up against another person in those one-on-one type of matchups. Both these rosters are very good. I don't know if everybody's gonna be playing this game, obviously, because this is gonna be a few days in, but hopefully these rosters are still you know going on. It should just be like you know, just small versus you know Ryan Neemhard and Coward. It just it should be a really fun matchup, so I'm excited for that one. Then on the 14th, you're gonna have the Wizards versus the Bulls. Obviously, AJ DeBanza versus Caleb Wilson, that's gonna be awesome. You're gonna have Trey Johnson against that, those Bulls, you know, players on the wings, uh, just so much athletes going on. There's gonna be so much speed in this game. It's just man, it's gonna be killer. You don't want to miss that one. No way, SNG versus you know you know Will Riley, Akpara versus like you know, Toby Waka. There's just there's so much talent in this game. It's gonna be really, really cool as well. You've got the Lakers versus Clippers. I I kind of just wanted to throw in the Clippers here because I really want to see Keaton Waggler. I thought this was a pretty good matchup to to kind of talk about. You know, on the Clippers, you've got Keaton Waggler, who was the fifth pick in the draft. And I'm excited to see, you know, how much on the ball he plays here or how much off the ball he plays, if his defense is good, if he's able to finish versus longer players. I loved Baba Miller. I had almost a first round grade on him. I think he was like 32 or so for me. So he has so many skills you want. You know, he's a great athlete, you know, really smart player. It's just his shot just never really came along. It's I don't it's almost like a turnover if he's gonna shoot it. It's it's just not great. But he does so many other things well. Uh, we'll see if he can have another like CMB type of effect on the game. If so, I think he definitely will make the roster. You know, I he was drafted in round two, but I you know, he should be at least on a two-way. Nick Martinelli, I don't know what to think about him, man. Like I watched some stuff on him while he was, you know, in college and stuff, and he just to me, he looked maxed out, if that makes sense. You know, he's an older player. I he just I didn't see any more room for him to grow. I thought he'd already gotten the most out of his talent. We'll see if that's true or not. Then you got Kobe Sanders also on this team. You know, he's already shown that he can contribute in the NBA level. You know, he he's earned minutes, you know, with the Clippers. Uh, you know, he he's super versatile, you know, six foot eight, you know, he's guard, I guess, you know, or like wing. You know, he is a willing playmaker, he's able to hit shots on the outside. You know, I think this week is less about proving that he belongs and just more about you know him kind of showing that he can play a more consistent role and what he can maybe give to the Clippers in general. And then I believe uh King Celtics is on the 15th. I was trying to find a game with Darius Acuff. I think this has a lot of talent if you're looking for games. Uh, you know, Darius Acuff is one of the more electric scoring guards in the rookie class. He's very fearless with the ball in his hands. He you know, he can carry his own shot at all the levels, really good passer, you know. So I'm I'm I'm wanting to see if his decision making was just bad in the Bucks game or if that or if this is gonna be like a an ongoing thing. But you know, obviously he has you know like superstar level confidence. We'll see how it goes. Also, Neat Clifford, I liked him last year. You know, I think he went in the early 20s or so. He looked pretty good in that game. I'm wanting to see more out of him to see if you know he's found a way to fit in beyond being just the guy on the ball. But you know, I think that he has talent, you know, to give to the Kings as well. And then I think the last game I have on here is the Mavericks versus the Thunder. This will be on July 16th. We've already talked about all the players on both these teams. Uh, you know, Ryan Neem Hart versus Bennett Sturts, Morez Johnson against Adai Mara, I think will be fun. You know, can Otega Owe kind of like show his value, you know, with the Thunder that that team is so hard to make in general? Which which shooters here will actually like you know show out here. Will will, you know, uh Peyton Sanford, Lamar Wilkerson, Sergio, you know, Tyler Smith. You know, there are so many guys to watch here and and just you know, in this fourth game, this can be when people start to earn contracts. You know, we see it all the time. Oh god, I try to get that through that as much as possible. I'm sorry, this is like a 40-something-minute video. There's just so much going on. So
Vegas Trip Plans And YouTube Expansion
SPEAKER_00that'll do it for this viewing guide. Hopefully, this will give you some kind of a roadmap for the week in the in the first week before we get into the the more tournament you know style stuff. So if you've got a little bit of time, these are the games to watch. They have all the talent that you need to know. I will be in Vegas this weekend watching the game lives. I will get there on the 10th, I leave on the 14th. So I will be trying to post things, you know, on YouTube, things on Twitter, you know, going live. Chip Williams will also be down there. We're going to the EYBL tournament as well. So I'll get to see some more of the you know high school players in this in the in the next class. And then at night, I will be going to and seeing as many of these games as I can. I also want to let just in general to let everybody know that the Draft and Stash podcast will now be on YouTube. And I will be posting full film sessions for and other player breakdowns on this clash, right? So I plan on doing at least one video of every player that was drafted in round one this year for at least one of their games in the summer league. I'm I'm gonna try to get all those out before that the the actual season starts. Then once the season starts, I I'm gonna try to keep up like a top 10 rookie watch, and I will be breaking down games of those players as well. And then I will at some point be getting into the 2027 class, you know, just so just so much stuff coming up. I don't know how I'm gonna do it all, but you know, I'm just you know, life finds a way, you know. So, as always, if there's any players that you want me to focus on while I'm in Vegas, you know, just hit me up, let me know who you want to hear more about. I will put them at the top of my list. A person had told me to do Darius Acuff, so I decided to go that way instead. I might do Cameron Carr after that, you know, we'll see. So just thank you all for listening and supporting. You know, I'm I'm slowly growing, very, very cool from everybody. I I look at every comment and everything. So just I I I promise to do more, and hopefully, we continue on this journey together.
Thanks For Listening And Sign-Off
SPEAKER_00Until next time, uh, enjoy these games and watch more basketball. I've been doing this for 10 years.
SPEAKER_01This is he's two years away from being two years away, and then we'll see.