Rookies get their first taste of the NBA in the Summer League, while veterans get some additional practice. Some young players who are returning see it as a chance to improve, while others use it as a form of rehabilitation. However, some of these players have previously shown themselves at the NBA level and are simply too skilled to play with their less experienced teammates.
These are this season’s top five players that have made it very evident that they no longer belong in the Summer League.
Neemias Queta is in his fourth year of Summer League competition after being selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2021 draft. Despite only having played in two games for the Boston Celtics thus far, he has already proven to be too skilled for this level of play.
Queta shot 9 out of 15 from the floor in the Celtics’ opening game against the Miami Heat, scoring 20 points and dominating the paint. In just 23 minutes of play, he added nine rebounds, including six offensive rebounds, a steal, and a blockNevertheless, Queta dressed for Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he performed admirably once more. He made 7 of 10 shots for 22 points and 8 of 9 free throws from the charity stripe. In an excellent two-way performance, he grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots, limiting the opposition’s center, Colin Castleton, to just eight points
Queta signed a two-way contract with the Celtics at the start of the 2023–24 campaign. After previously dominating in the G-League, he played a few games there. During the C’s previous season, the Portuguese big man participated in 28 games and averaged 5.5 points in about 12 minutes per game. In the brief time he had, Queta made an impression on the front office and signed a $7 million, three-year contract with the Celtics.
The 7-footer might not be very high on the list of priorities, but the Celtics’ big-man options are limited to 38-year-old Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Xavier Tillman Sr., since Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss the season. Queta should therefore be able to battle for a few minutes.
The Memphis Grizzlies selected GG Jackson II in the second round of the 2023–24 NBA Draft, and he began the season in the G League. He needed more time to mature as the league’s youngest player before he could secure a spot in the rotation. However, he was called up while the team was experiencing an injury crisis, and he has since made a name for himself on the squad.
Jackson II may be younger than many of the rookies in Vegas right now in the Summer League, but his experience is paying off. His first-game performance was erratic, as he was still getting used to playing after a long absence. He shot 0-of-10 from three-point range and 6-of-20 from the field, which further distorted his numbers. However, since then, he
With players returning, Jackson, who inked a four-year contract worth $8.5 million last year, may find himself relegated in the standings. He will be difficult for the Grizzlies coaching staff to ignore, though, given his outstanding play from the previous campaign, which included a record-breaking 44-point outburst against the Denver Nuggets at full health.
Although he did not play in any of the Sacramento Kings’ Summer League games this season, Keon Ellis did start for them in their Play-In game the previous season. He is currently in Las Vegas with the team, having participated in every game in the California Classic event. And he was quite good at both.
Ellis finished the tournament in California with a 30-point masterpiece against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 20.3 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor
Despite having a somewhat slow start in Vegas, Ellis’ leadership and defense were still clear in the first two games even though his shots weren’t falling. He settled into a rhythm and put up a dominant stat line in his third game against the Knicks, recording a game-high 29 points, six assists, and four blocks. During the one-point loss, he hit 10-of-18 from the field and 5-of-10 from three.
Prior to the 2022–2023 season, the former guard for Alabama signed a free agency contract without being selected. He was able to improve and hone his skills in the G-League with the Stockton Kings because it was a two-way contract. After proving himself there, he was added to the rotation for the 2023–2024 campaign. Because of his defensive abilities, he eventually rose to the starting position in March and remained there until the end of the campaign.
Ellis is expected to stay in Sacramento as the starting shooting guard even if Malik Monk is staying, as they require a point-of-attack defender who can also shoot the ball quite well. The $5 million, three-year contract he inked in February will be one of
Podziemski, Brandin – Golden State Warriors
In Summer League, the San Francisco native appears to be a man among boys.
After several years of being stuck in cap hell, the Golden State Warriors finally found Brandin Podziemski with the 19th choice in the 2023 NBA Draft. Podziemski was leading the Summer League in Vegas this year, having started 28 of the 74 games he participated in the previous season.
During one of his games in the California Classic, he had trouble making the shot. Since then, though, he has performed admirably in the two games he has played in Vegas, averaging nearly a double-double while making 50% of his shots from the field.
He only needed four shots to score 16 points against the Phoenix Suns, grab seven rebounds, and give out six assists. He took the court in the Warriors’ victory over the Chicago Bulls the following game, going all out for 21 points, 12 rebounds (three of which were offensive), and seven assists.
The Warriors front office has declared that he won’t be playing in Vegas this summer, so they must have had enough. particularly considering that he recently got back from representing the USA Men’s Select Team. Alternatively, it can be that a deal is being discussed and he might be moving on. Utah, perhaps?
GM Joe Lacob is undoubtedly proud of Podziemski, who was a member of the All-Rookie First Team the previous season. With two more years left on his rookie contract, the Warriors will undoubtedly benefit greatly from having him as a role player.
Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.
It almost seems unfair that rookies in Vegas have to play against him.
Last year, Jaime Jaquez Jr. was allowed to slide all the way to the Miami Heat, who held the 18th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, by the league. After an excellent rookie year that earned him a spot on the All-Rookie First Team and a call-up to the USA Men’s Select Team, he had a great year. He played in a few more games at the Summer League in Las Vegas this busy summer, dominating the field.
Jaquez Jr. recorded game-highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds in his debut against the Celtics, in addition to five assists. His boldness would have pleased the coaches as he went 9-of-11 from the charity line, however he missed both of his deep attempts.
Even though he only played 25 minutes, Jaquez Jr. punished the Oklahoma City Thunder in his second and final game. He finished with a very effective 8 of 13 field goals, five rebounds, two assists, and 23 points at the end of the game. Additionally, he made 3-of-5 from three, demonstrating his desire to get better from deep after struggling in the previous game. His decision to keep working on his shot is definitely welcome news for the Heat, since he averaged just 32% from three previous season.
Despite having a demanding summer, Jaquez Jr. was delighted to be included in the excitement in Vegas. “Getting game reps is the best thing there is. Jaquez stated, “You can’t beat it,” as William Guillory of The Athletic reported. “Those are game reps here in summer league. I felt content and thankful that I could accomplish it.
In the event that the Heat make no major moves over the summer, the 23-year-old, who started 4/5 games for the team in the playoffs last season, might become a permanent fixture there.
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