Most intriguing prospects to watch in the 2015 NBA Summer League
NBA free agency isn't the only action going on around the league. With the annual Summer League slate set to tip off on July 4, SI.com breaks down some of the most intriguing prospects to keep an eye on in Orlando, Utah and Las Vegas.
Orlando Summer League (July 4-10)
Troy Daniels, Hornets: After serving as an unlikely sparkplug for the Rockets in the 2014 playoffs, Daniels has struggled to receive consistent minutes while being traded twice last season. With one guaranteed season left on his current deal, Daniels is playing for his next contract. His week in Orlando, surely with a starting spot, will serve as the first step in a pivotal season for the 23-year-old. Can Daniels show he’s more than just a stationary shooter?
Mario Hezonja, Magic: Largely a mystery to the casual NBA fan, the Croatian sensation will play competitive basketball on American hardwood for the first time since the 2011 Jordan Brand Classic International Game. Many experts believe Hezonja may develop into the second-best player in the 2015 draft class. Summer League is the 20-year-old’s first chance to back up that claim.
SI.com's 2015 NBA free agent tracker
Russ Smith, Grizzlies: "Russdiculous" proved in the Las Vegas Summer League one year ago he can run a professional basketball team, but never had the opportunity to show he can contribute during the regular season. Smith landed in Memphis during the three-team deal that sent Jeff Green to Beale Street. Smith doesn’t haven’t much potential in Memphis with both Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes playing minutes behind Mike Conley. But a strong showing in Orlando could lead a rival team to trade for his services.
Utah Summer League (July 6-9)
Colton Iverson, Celtics: Boston purchased the No. 53 pick in the 2013 draft specifically to select Iverson. Yet two years later, the Colorado State product has yet to make the big club’s opening day roster. After a strong season in Spain, it might be now or never for Iverson to earn his place on Boston’s 15-man roster. Three games in Utah will be the start of a summer with life-changing potential.
Roundup: 2015 NBA free agent grades
Pierre Jackson, 76ers: One year ago, Jackson tore his Achilles just minutes into his Orlando Summer League stint with the Sixers. After an extensive rehab process, he’s back with Philly—a team with just two point guards currently on the roster. A prolific scorer, Jackson can make the 76ers’ roster by proving his competence in pick-and-roll situations and showing his ability to run a team.
Kyle Anderson, Spurs: San Antonio has uncharacteristically sacrificed its patented depth to make a run at Texas’ own LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency. After playing sparingly his rookie season, Anderson looks primed to play a key, Swiss-army knife role off the bench for the Spurs this winter. Summer League is the perfect opportunity to prove he’s prepared for a larger role.
Las Vegas Summer League (July 10-20)
Christian Wood, Rockets/Robert Upshaw, Lakers/Cliff Alexander, Nets: All once considered first-round prospects that ultimately went undrafted, Wood, Upshaw and Alexander have a simple task ahead of them: Prove doubters wrong or spend their first professional season in the D-League or overseas. All three players have one foot in the door. They'll either parlay their positions into an NBA roster spot or continue their disappointing downward spiral.
Brady Heslip, Timberwolves: Heslip went overseas to Bosnia after tearing up the D-League with the Reno Bighorns last year. Heslip might be the best shooter (44.3% for Reno last year) out of all the players traveling to Las Vegas. The Baylor product won’t be satisfied with his trip to Sin City if it doesn't yield an NBA contract.
Seth Curry, Pelicans: After big bro Steph lead the Warriors to the championship, can the summer of Curry include Seth carving out his first NBA roster spot? The younger Curry showed the ability to play point guard at the next level with both the Orlando Magic and the Phoenix Suns last summer, but still failed to stick in the NBA come regular season. Curry’s hoping the third time is the charm on a Pelicans team that could use a third point guard behind Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole.
Bruno Caboclo, Raptors: By Fran Fraschilla’s estimations, Caboclo is now just one year away from being two years away. The second-year Raptors wing was easily one of the most-talked-about prospects in Vegas last summer. It would be a wise bet to say the Brazilian will generate the same amount of chatter this month.
Roddy Beaubois, Wizards: The Mavericks would sure love the Roddy Beaubois they projected in 2010 to be apart of their DeAndre Jordan meetings this summer. Instead, Beaubois is out the league, rather than becoming the All-Star point guard Mark Cuban once deemed "pretty much untouchable." He’s still lightning-quick and can score against most in the world. The question remains if he can run an NBA offense.
Glen Rice, Jr., Rockets: Rice, Jr. was the surprising 2014 Las Vegas Summer League MVP. Then with the Wizards, Rice, Jr. averaged an eye-popping 25 points per game on 46.9% shooting from the field, but his summer success unfortunately never translated into the regular season. Washington waived Rice in January. Now he’s returning to the NBA spotlight with the Rockets. Remember, Rice played for Houston’s D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers in advance of the 2013 NBA Draft after leaving Georgia Tech.
