The 2024 NBA Draft class is ready to show what it’s capable of at Summer League in Las Vegas.
The league’s newest crop of rookies will have their first opportunity to prove doubters wrong when Summer League tips off on Friday, July 12.
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Some first-year players have already made their debuts in other Summer Leagues like the California Classic and Salt Lake City, but the Las Vegas stage is always the brightest. The entire league gathers in Sin City as star players and fans alike catch a glimpse of the NBA’s future.
Rookies like Lakers star Bronny James and top-10 picks like Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, and Zach Edey will be worth tuning into. Take a look at five matchups you shouldn’t miss below.
Five must-see matchups at 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas
Grizzlies vs. Kings: Zach Edey’s Las Vegas debut
Date & time: Friday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel (US): NBA TV
Edey already made his Grizzlies debut in the Salt Lake City Summer League — and that should be all the incentive you need to watch him make his second debut in Las Vegas.
Edey dominated his first taste of NBA action, going for 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
The two-time National Player of the Year has plenty of naysayers who don’t believe his game will translate to the NBA. This stage will be the first opportunity to prove he belongs.
Lakers vs. Rockets: Bronny James’ Las Vegas debut against Reed Sheppard
Date & time: Friday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel (US): ESPN
James also already made his Summer League debut in the California Classic, going for just four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 21 minutes of action. His Las Vegas debut will surely come with a packed and loud crowd.
James will go head-to-head with No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard, a 6-3 guard sharpshooting guard out of Kentucky. Expect James to draw the Sheppard assignment and take it personally. Nothing could better validate that he has NBA potential than locking up one of the best players in his draft class.
Wizards vs. Trail Blazers: Alex Sarr and Donovan Clingan face off
Date & time: Tuesday, July 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Channel (US): NBA TV
The two best big men in the 2024 NBA Draft class face off in this one.
Sarr and Clingan were both seen to have a fair shot at going No. 1 overall before the Hawks ultimately landed on Risacher. Although they have different playstyles for frontcourt players, expect to see them match up here.
Sarr is a smooth and athletic rim-runner who will put Clingan to the test with his speed. Clingan is a massive physical presence who could overwhelm Sarr in the paint. This matchup is an NBA Draft scout’s dream since the two never overlapped between Sarr’s pre-NBA career in Overtime Elite and Australia and Clingan’s traditional NCAA path.
Raptors vs. Jazz: Depth of young talent worth watching
Date & time: Wednesday, July 17 at 5 p.m. ET
Channel (US): ESPN 2
On the surface, this matchup may not seem very enticing. When diving deeper into the Raptors and Jazz’s Summer League rosters, there is as much young talent as any other teams you’ll see in Las Vegas.
Utah’s 2024 rookie class of Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski would be worth tuning in for alone. It also adds recent draft picks like Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler, Brice Sensabaugh, and former college stars like Armando Bacot and Max Abmas.
Toronto will have its 2024 rookie class of Ja’Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamal Shead, and Ulrich Chomche on display, but there are other names to draw you to the television. 2023 lottery pick Gradey Dick and former college star Drew Timme will also suit up for the Raptors.
Hawks vs. Bulls: The Zaccharie Risacher-Matas Buzelis beef comes to life
Date & time: Friday, July 19 at 6 p.m. on NBA TV
Channel (US): NBA TV
Risacher was the No. 1 overall pick, but Buzelis made it clear that he believes he’s the better prospect. Back in March, Buzelis publicly challenged Risacher to a pre-draft game of 1-on-1 that never came to fruition.
“Of course, I want to see him one-on-one. He just doesn’t want to do that with me. His agent will not do that with me, and I know he won’t. It’s a business decision,” Buzelis told BasketNews.
“My advantage is that I have everything over him,” Buzelis confidently said when asked what his advantage is over Risacher.
Of all the Summer League games to watch, this could be the one to tune into. Star rookies tend to be shut down after their first few games, though.
