The 2024 Vegas Summer League won’t match last year’s excitement, but there are plenty of young players who have the opportunity to showcase their talent. It’s going to be chaotic and confusing, but hey, we’re kidding!
From a fantasy perspective, I’m going to focus on second- and third-year players rather than rookies because veterans in this circumstance generally have more success in fantasy than first-year players – especially with the 2024 draft class being considered. one of the weakest in years. Still, I’ll be keeping an eye out to evaluate the development of several players to get a better read on their progress and their chances of becoming a fantasy asset next season.
Omitting players like Keyonte George, Keon Ellis, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Brandin Podziemski who have nothing to prove here, here are the players I’m watching ahead of the 2024 Vegas Summer League.
The “veterinarians”
Walker Kessler – C, Utah Jazz
Kessler’s production has plateaued after a promising rookie campaign, so it’s no surprise he’s headed toward his third Summer League appearance. I doubt he will play beyond a few games, but he will need a good showing in Las Vegas to:
A) Restore confidence in Utah’s coaching staff to replace John Collins as the starting center of their rebuild or
B) Play well enough for another team to give up a first-round pick for his services
Assuming he stays in Utah, this will be a key opportunity to develop more chemistry with his future point guard, Keyonte George. Here’s George getting easy buckets with Kessler in the pick-and-roll:
Kessler is also off to a decent start, averaging 7.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, three blocks and two steals per game in the Salt Lake City Summer League. He missed last year’s fifth-round ADP, so hopefully he can carry that momentum to Las Vegas.
Kobe Bufkin – SG, Atlanta Hawks
After spending much of his rookie season in the G-League, the former Michigan combo guard only appeared in 17 games for the Hawks. For what it’s worth, he hit it big in College Park, averaging 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game last year – he can shoot:
Kobe Bufkin really showed off his entire offensive repertoire in the G League
He had 34 points in his debut on crafty drives to the rim and now he had 43 points last night on a heavy diet pic.twitter.com/ODgyoDOmqg
-Grant Shirley (@Grant_Shirley4) January 30, 2024
He will get the greenest lights and play heavy minutes, as no guards are currently in the Hawks rotation or recently acquired (Dyson Daniels) are playing in the Summer League. He could be one of the best players on the market, and if that happens, he could push for some significant minutes at either guard position next season.
Jarace Walker – SF, Indiana Pacers
Word on the street is that Walker, the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, will be the focal point of the Pacers’ Summer League squad. Walker appeared in 33 games for Indy last year, but seeing him get minutes in the postseason intrigued me. Like Bufkin, he dominated his time in the G League, averaging 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals on 37.7% shooting from three with Indiana Mad Ants.
Last Tuesday, Jarace Walker had an excellent performance against Ignite. He scored 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and recorded four assists.
Over the last three, he’s averaged:
24.0 PTS
7.3 REB
5.7 ASTHe also shot 38.5% on 8.7 3PA per game in that span. pic.twitter.com/t8x6pWen4P
-Logan Adams (@LoganA_NBA) February 19, 2024
Walker knows Vegas, as he posted a 14/8/3 stat line with 2.5 shares and a 27% usage rate last summer. With a substantial role guaranteed, there is some real stat padding potential here. “The Manchild” is a threat on the perimeter and inside and with some game chopsit should be on your must-have list.
Other non-newbies to watch:
The newbies
Zach Edey – C, Memphis Grizzlies
I never understood the hate over Edey going ninth overall to Memphis, considering he would effectively be playing the Steven Adams role in Taylor Jenkins’ system. Adams thrived for so many years as the Grizzlies’ primary screener and rim protector, and with Edey being far more talented than Adams on both ends, I can’t deny his fantasy appeal.
He appeared in his debut in Salt Lake, forcing the AT dramatically while dropping 14 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in 33 minutes. He can be managed in Las Vegas, but organizing games like this could help him crack the rotation early for the Grizzlies. We could be looking at a late-round fantasy pick with upside to his rebounding and defensive production despite playing minutes in the 20s.
Stephon’s Castle – PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs
Castle has been impressive so far in the California Classic, averaging 15 points, six boards, four dimes and 1.5 steals per game. The defense is already there; Now, it’s about refining playmaking and shooting – and what better place to do that than Summer League?
Castle’s 36/20/57 shooting splits are concerning for nine-category formats, but it’s early days and the production count stats look promising. I expect him to run a lot in Las Vegas, and he will be one of the most fun two-way guys to watch.
Kel’el Ware – C, Miami Heat
The 15th overall pick in the 2024 Draft could end up being one of the steals of the draft. I saw him demolish the Kings in the California Classic, scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 dimes:
He is a seven-footer with the elite athleticism, unique touch and defensive ability to be a deep league target next season. Of course, this assumes he will enter the rotation. A few more games like this in Las Vegas and Coach Spo may have to consider moving Bam Adebayo to PF to make room for the dynamic rookie.
Other newcomers to watch:
