Before all 30 NBA teams play in the Las Vegas Summer League, four teams will each participate in the Salt Lake City Summer League and the California Classic beginning Monday.
The Salt Lake City Summer League will be hosted by the Utah Jazz, featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings will host the second annual California Classic with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat.
The games will be either on NBATV or ESPN2, and the three-game leagues will last from July 1-3.
This will give a nice quick glance at a number of players who were recently drafted, along with some players from past drafts vying for the chance to play in their first NBA game.
Here is a preview of these teams and some of the rookie players that will be most interesting to follow. It will outline the newest draftees, a potential undrafted player to watch for and the other potential rookies if they end up on NBA regular season rosters.
SLC Summer League
Utah Jazz
2019 NBA Draft Picks:
- Jarrell Brantley, College of Charleston: 50th pick
- Justin Wright-Foreman, Hofstra: 53rd pick
- Miye Oni, Yale: 58th pick
The player to really watch here is Wright-Foreman, who was the second-leading scorer in the NCAA last season for Hofstra. Summer League is typically very guard friendly and with Wright-Foreman’s deep range and ability to create off of the dribble, he could be in for some big games. Brantley is smaller for a forward, though makes up for it with strength and some soft touch as well. Oni is a long, athletic wing who excels in transition and has some shooting ability as well.
Undrafted X-Factor: Juwan Morgan, Indiana
Despite a strong senior campaign for Indiana, Morgan did not hear his name called on June 20. He signed an undrafted free agent deal with Utah and should get a chance to log some playing time in Summer League. Morgan excelled close to the basket and without the ball, working a lot in the pick-and-roll and off of cuts. He was super efficient during his final two college seasons while posting really solid steal and block percentages. He can rebound, improved as a passer and if he shows improvement as a shooter, that could mean a possible roster spot.
Other Roster Rookies:
Isaiah Cousins, Oklahoma (59th pick in 2016 NBA Draft); Darnell Edge, Fairleigh Dickinson; Frankie Ferrari, San Francisco; Tre’Shaun Fletcher, Toledo; William Howard, BCM Gravelines (LNB France); Stanton Kidd, Colorado State; Jairus Lyles, UMBC; Tanner McGrew, West Virginia Wesleyan; Josh Sharma, Stanford.
Cleveland Cavaliers
2019 NBA Draft Picks:
- Darius Garland, Vanderbilt: 5th pick
- Dylan Windler, Belmont: 26th pick
- Kevin Porter Jr., USC: 30th pick
The Cavs will have a trio of first-round pick rounding out their backcourt and all of them should get a lot of touches. It will be interesting to see just how much Garland and Porter play as the two are considered game-time decisions Monday night. Garland is a big-time shooter and this will be a good time to have him try to run a team. Windler should also be a reliable scoring threat and could play up a position with his athleticism. Porter may really flourish here, as his ball handling and athleticism could make this a wonderful setting for his talent.
Undrafted X-Factor: Yovel Zoosman, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Zoosman was an early entry into the draft from Israel who went undrafted, despite having some legitimate interest from NBA teams. A star in last year’s FIBA European U20 tournament and playing a role on one of the better teams in Europe, Zoosman is 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan along with some shooting ability and evident feel for the game. It was pointed out that he was an excellent passer and can be a threat off of the ball as well. The Cavs will be wing and guard-heavy, but Zoosman is one to watch with his professional experience.
Other Roster Rookies:
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Michigan; Marques Bolden, Duke; Phil Booth, Villanova; Sandy Cohen III, Wisconsin Green Bay; Jalen Hudson, Florida; Anthony Lawrence, Miami; Malik Newman, Kansas; Dylan Osetkowski, Texas; Dean Wade, Kansas St.; Jacorey Williams, Middle Tennessee St.
Memphis Grizzlies
2019 NBA Draft Picks: N/A
As much as Grizzlies fans are dying to see Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke, it, unfortunately, will not happen in the SLC Summer League. Morant is still taking his time after having an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, which makes his Summer League status likely tentative.
As far as the exciting mid-first round pick-up of Clarke, the Grizzlies will have to wait until July 6 before officially completing the acquisition with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Clarke may be available to play during their run in the Las Vegas Summer League but the Grizzlies will not have him in Salt Lake City.
Undrafted X-Factor: John Konchar, Purdue Fort Wayne
Konchar is someone who can provide a little bit of everything. He is a solid athlete, he shot over 40 percent from three-point range in his NCAA career and he is a fantastic distributor. He describes himself as a “3-and-D guy”, excelling in the pick-and-roll and should be someone who could contribute in Summer League for the Grizzlies. Konchar was legitimately on the NBA draft radar and while he does not make up for the missing first round picks, he should soften the blow.
Other Roster Rookies:
Peyton Aldridge, Davidson; Shaq Buchanan, Murray State; Tyler Harvey, Eastern Washington (51st pick in 2015 NBA Draft); Lyle Hexom, Peru State; Ben Lawson, Western Kentucky; Paris Lee, Illinois State; Doral Moore, Wake Forest; Simi Shittu, Vanderbilt
San Antonio Spurs
2019 NBA Draft Picks:
- Luka Samanic, Union Olimpija: 19th pick
- Keldon Johnson, Kentucky: 29th pick
- Quinndary Weatherspoon, Mississippi State: 49th pick
Samanic was a bit of a surprise as a top 20 pick, though he stood out at the NBA Draft Combine with his strength and athleticism to go with a soft shooting touch. Johnson should be ready to score and it will be interesting to see his all-around production throughout Summer League and how he does in terms of team defense (though this is Summer League). Weatherspoon is an athletic scoring guard who should get a chance to get out in transition and look for his shot.
Undrafted X-Factor: Darel Poirier, Capital City Go-Go
The bouncy big man from France put up some solid numbers in the G League, as he was adept at using his size near the basket. He is not exactly a stretch threat and can be a tad mechanical in terms of his post moves, but his production was still impressive. Though the Spurs roster does have some bigs who should see some playing time, Poirier will still get to prove if he can maintain the progress he showed this past season for Capital City.
Other Roster Rookies:
Travis Bader, Oakland; Jordan Barnett, Missouri; Jordan Green, Texas A&M; Terry Larrier, UConn; Jeff Ledbetter, Idaho; Kenny Williams, North Carolina
