NBA Summer League: First Novice Impressions and Other Keys

Cooper Flagg led the headline headlines, but what other rookies shone in Las Vegas? Our NBA experts tell you.

Las Vegas – The 2025 NBA draft class was presented on the weekend in the Las Vegas summer league, after the conclusion of the California classic in San Francisco and the Salt Lake City summer league on Tuesday.

The most important news of the weekend was, as expected, the first team of the Draft, Cooper Flagg, and its performance against the NBA competition for the first time as Dallas Maverick. After finding 5 of 21 in their debut against Bronny James and Los Angeles Lakers, Flagg recovered scoring 31 points against the second team of the Draft, Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs. Sources confirmed to Tim Macmahon from AM850 that the MAVs will not give Flagg the opportunity to play after his two games in Las Vegas, but Duke’s 18 -year -old left an indelible mark.

Harper and VJ Edgecombe, the third team of the Draft, also had impressive performances during the first weekend, but who most highlighted at the meeting of the 30 teams in Las Vegas?

Here we introduce you to AM850 experts: Tim Macmahon, Michael C. Wright, Jamal Collier and Jonathan Givony.

Flagg passes the test as the main offensive creator

The Mavericks wanted to put the ball in the hands of Cooper Flagg, the first selection of the draft, as much as possible to see how it responded to uncomfortable situations as the main offensive driver. Mission fulfilled.

The 18 -year -old eaves launched at least 20 shots in his two appearances in the summer league, something that only did only twice in 37 games during his only season in Duke.

“I am exhausted,” Flagg said after his performance of 31 points in Saturday’s defeat against the Spurs. “I am not used to uploading the ball like that, and every time I have it on the whole court, I had someone by my side playing 29 meters. So I am not used to that, but I think I did a good job uploading it against the pressure and trying to prepare our different actions.”

Although Flagg had poor field shots performance in the first game, with 5 of 21, the MAVs were satisfied with their two performances. He constantly read the ball well and created spaces for his teammates, despite finishing with only five assists. He only lost three balls in total and seemed to feel more comfortable under ball pressure in real time. A clear example against the Spurs: the last two possessions of the third quarter, when Flagg escaped the pressure of Carter Bryant in the defense zone and attacked for a tray and one more, and then entered the area for a mate after a medium court formation.

“Incredible for a boy we say: ‘We are going to give you the ball and they will mark you throughout the court,” said the Mavs Summer League coach, Josh Broghamer. All have 10 offenses, so there is no penalty to grab and hold. The referees cannot whistle all faults in each play, so it is even more exhausting and hard for him than a normal game. – Tim Macmahon

Harper debuts against flagg

After missing the participation of the Spurs in the California classic and their first game in Las Vegas due to a slight injury in the groin, Dylan Harper, the second selection of the Draft, returned just in time to face Flagg in the expected Saturday game.

Limited to 20 minutes, Harper demonstrated many of the skills that made him the second best prospect for consensus, after Flagg. Perhaps Harper’s most impressive moment occurred in defense, when running back in transition to block the Ryan Nembhard tray, leaving the court with advantage to protect the hoop. In attack, Harper’s ability to generate contact stood out. He sport 6 of 7 free throws, including a three -point play after a lack of flagg.

The greatest unknown about Harper is still his shot, since he failed his four triple attempts. Its improvement speed will determine when the veterans of San Antonio (who were on the court on Saturday) will join as headline. – Kevin Pelton

Essengue de los Bulls will be a project

When the Chicago Bulls selected Noa Essengue in the 12th position, they recognized without reservations that the 18 -year -old Frenchman, the second youngest player in the draft, did not reach the league as a complete player. But his first summer appearance on Friday demonstrated his incipient talent.

He scored five points in 25 minutes, driblized the ball, put it in the hoop while trying to catch a rebound and recognized after the game that surprised his physical game level.

Essengue was better and more comfortable in his second game on Saturday, and the Bulls coaching staff was satisfied with his response. However, Chicago does not expect Essengue to be a key piece of its rotation at the beginning of the season, and it is not clear if it will contribute significantly during the 2025-26 season. – Jamal Collier

Impressive first flashes of Clifford with Kings

Upon entering the Draft, Nique Clifford was labeled as an eaves Swiss razor ready to use that can have a positive impact with its sense of the game, its shots from the perimeter and its defensive versatility.

Clifford has given the size in two games, accumulating 36 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists in 54 minutes in two victories of the Kings.

Hope selecting the 23 -year -old is that he is ready to contribute from day one. He has demonstrated his ability with and without the ball. Attack the ring aggressively after the pick-And-volus and on an open court. And he does the little things for which a reputation has been forged: to leave his area by rebounds, defend multiple positions, from base to the wing, fight for the blockages and make simple plays to find companions with free spaces.

As the first selection of the Draft of the new directive of the Sacramento Kings, led by Scott Perry and BJ Armstrong, Clifford will probably have all the opportunities to demonstrate that he is ready to assume a role at the beginning of his career in the NBA. Nothing that has demonstrated in the summer league so far suggests otherwise, especially if the Kings manage to overcome their stagnation in the forward position. –Jonathan Givony

Notable Novice Actions

Liam McNeeley | Eaves | Charlotte Hornets

McNeeley produced 22 points and 12 rebounds leaving the bank in his debut in the summer league on Friday against the Utah Jazz, showing a promising capacity to play both ways for 28 minutes. The next day, the number 29 selected with the title team in the victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, ending with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a robbery. – Michael C. Wright

Kasparas jakucionis | Shipowner | Miami Heat

Jakucionis had a complicated start in the California classic (1 of 15 in field shots, six assists, 12 ball losses in three games). In Las Vegas, he showed himself as a different player, scoring 24 points in 12 shots, including 5 of 9 in triples, in 28 minutes, while making the expected adjustments in his decision -making and assertiveness.

Jakucionis’s rhythm, sensitivity and ability were evident when using (and rejecting) blockages to reach the attack points, create opportunities for high men who reached the hoop or shooters in the corners, and score from the shots line using their size, strength and ability.

He did not hesitate to launch triples of reception and shooting, but also spotted a difficult time in transition and a suspension shot with a step back in isolation, demonstrating impressive confidence. With 1.98 meters high, a quick launch and the ability to execute its suspension shot against strong rivals, its ability to operate without a valuable versatility to the alignment of the Miami coaching staff, since its creation of shots continues to develop against larger and more high athletes. His defense will probably play an important role in the role he can develop as a rookie, but his debut in Las Vegas was very encouraging. – Givony

Noah penda | Eaves | Orlando Magic

The Magic amounted to the 32nd position at the beginning of the second day of the Draft to select Penda, who averaged 10.2 points per game in France at age 20. On Sunday he demonstrated various skills, capturing 14 rebounds (the largest amount of the game) and registering three robberies against the Toronto Raptors, although sometimes he tried to exceed, which caused five ball losses. In an Orlando team that aspires to compete, Penda should have time to develop, perhaps in the G League. – Pelton

Joan Beringer | Pivot | Minnesota Timberwolves

Beringer took seconds to demonstrate why the Timberwolves selected the pivot in his 17th. Position: he rejected a couple of shots in his first possession in the summer league. The 18 -year -old ended with 6 caps, 11 points and 8 rebounds in the victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Beringer needs a lot of experience after starting playing basketball just four years ago, but has an extraordinary physicist with its 2.11 meters (6’11 ”), an size of 2.26 meters (7’5”) and a fluidity of movements. He has the potential to be a shocking pivot, running and protecting the hoop, and can develop as a substitute for his French compatriot, four times defensive player of the NBA year, Rudy Gobert. – Macmahon

Carter Bryant | Eaves | San Antonio Spurs In charge of defending Flagg, Bryant demonstrated his potential on that side on Saturday. In a remarkable initial possession, he prevented Flagg from separating and forced him to lose the ball. Later, Multiple Bryant attempts from the perimeter caused a rape of the Dallas possession clock. Bryant has not had a good performance this summer (3 of 22 triples in total), but his physical defense in the perimeter can be number 14 on the court as he developed offensively. – Pelton