Pacific Division Summer League Notes

Keith Smith
Keith Smith, Resident NBA ExpertJuly 31, 2024
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NBA Summer League season has now come and gone. Leagues in California, Salt Lake City and the big one in Las Vegas have wrapped up. That means it’s time to look back at how things went.

In this exclusive series for Spotrac, I’ll be looking at how each rostered player performed in Summer League this year.

A “rostered player” is someone who is either:

  • Signed to a standard contract
  • Signed to a two-way contract
  • Signed to a training camp deal (or rumored to be signing one)
  • Has their draft rights retained by the team

On occasion, another player may sneak in here if they did something that stood out. We’ll be going division by division, so that the articles don’t get too unwieldy. The hope is that series will give you a sense of how players looked, while giving you something to consume while we wait for NBA training camps to begin in a couple of months.

Previously covered:

Central Division

Golden State Warriors

Reece Beekman

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 7.0 PPG, 30.8% FG%, 66.7% 3P%

Analysis: Beekman only appeared in two Summer League games, seemingly due to an injury of some sort. He was fine in those two games. Beekman hit a couple of three-pointers, did an ok job getting to his shot and his on-ball defense solid enough. There just wasn’t a lot to evaluate here with only 44 minutes played.

Trayce Jackson-Davis

Contract Status: Three-years, $6.5M, 2023 Second Round Pick Exception

Stats: 12.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 63.2% FG%, 73.7% FT%

Analysis: It was a short summer for Jackson-Davis, who became an established rotation player for the Warriors as a rookie. He was dominant on the interior as a scorer and did a nice job on the boards. 19 free throw attempts in 74 minutes were also a solid sign of development for Jackson-Davis.

Kevin Knox

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Stats: 16.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 47.1% FG%, 35.1% 3P%, 79.2% FT%

Analysis: Knox looked overpowering at times, which is to expected for a six-year NBA veteran. However, Knox is still only 24 years old, so maybe he’s a later bloomer? This was the most aggressive Knox has been hunting three-point shots, as more than half of his shots came from behind the arc. He hit them at a decent clip too. Maybe a camp invite somewhere comes for Knox off a strong summer.

Daeqwon Plowden

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 14.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 47% FG%, 39.6% 3P%

Analysis: It was an impressive summer for Plowden both in the California Classic and in Las Vegas. He got up 48 threes in 196 minutes, and nailed them at nearly 40%. Plowden has solid size for a wing shooter too. He was competitive defensively, but nothing jumped off the screen. He’ll be 26 years old when the season starts, so it’s more about showing he can help immediately if necessary vs being a developmental prospect.

Brandin Podziemski

Contract Status: Three-years, $12.9M, 2023 First Round Rookie Scale

Stats: 17.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 43.2% FG%, 40% 3P%, 80% FT%

Analysis: Like Trayce Jackson-Davis, Podziemski had a short summer. Also like Jackson-Davis, Podziemski was terrific. Podziemski showed off the all-around skills he had flashed as a rookie. He did a nice job as the Summer Warriors primary playmaker when he played. The shooting was down a touch, but that mostly Podziemski working on his off-the-dribble shots, which looked good. He also got the line five times per game. All around, Podziemski looks poised for a big second season.

Quentin Post

Contract Status: Draft Rights Retained

Stats: 10 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 63.6% FG%, 40% 3P%

Analysis: Post only got into two games, but he was fairly effective. He’s got terrific touch, and his shot looked solid out to the NBA line. Only grabbing five rebounds in nearly 30 minutes wasn’t great. And Post didn’t show up defensively, but nothing was glaringly bad either. At the very least, Post is going to be a solid NBA backup center for his offensive game.

Jackson Rowe

Contract Status: One-year, non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp deal

Stats: 9.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 49% FG%, 31.3% 3P%

Analysis: Rowe looks the part of a solid wing. He’s got good size, he’s strong and he’s quick enough. Rowe got better as the summer went along too. Rowe will go to camp before landing with Santa Cruz this season.

Pat Spencer

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 15.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 74.3% FG%

Analysis: Spencer was impressive as a playmaker for the Summer Warriors. He was also unstoppable when he drove the ball. Right now, Spencer is like a Poor Man’s T.J. McConnell. He’s a reluctant shooter unless he is in/around the paint, but the jumper doesn’t look bad. Spencer is also a terrific athlete, but he’s also 28 years old. Any prospect shine is all but gone at this point.

LA Clippers

Kobe Brown

Contract Status: Three-years, $9.9M, 2023 First Round Rookie Scale

Stats: 16.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 49.2% FG%, 22.7% 3P%, 78.3 FT%

Analysis: After a non-descript rookie season, Brown showed up again this summer. He did some things well, while struggling in other areas. Brown was much-improved as a playmaker. He saw and made passes that he didn’t attempt as a rookie. He’s a solid finisher and scorer around the basket. The jumper remains inconsistent, and Brown is still only so-so in terms of on-ball defense. He doesn’t look ready to claim any NBA minutes yet.

Cameron Christie

Contract Status: Four-years, $7.9M, 2024 Second Round Pick Exception

Stats: 11.4 PPG, 37.3% FG%, 40.5% 3P%

Analysis: Christie showed the early look of a potential 3&D wing. He struggled to finish around the rim (just 4-of-14 on two-point shots), but he knocked down 15-of-37 three-pointers. For the 3&D role to come to pass, Christie is going to have to defend a bit better. He got better on that end as the summer went along, so that’s encouraging heading into training camp.

Moussa Diabate

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract with the Charlotte Hornets

Stats: 12.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 64.1% FG%, 91.7% FT%

Analysis: Diabate was well-known to the Clippers, after two years of two-way deals. He did the same stuff he’s always done, as far as finishing around the rim and hitting the glass. The defense still needs work, but that’s something for the Hornets to work on with Diabate now.

Elijah Harkless

Contract Status: One-year, non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp deal

Stats: 7.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 39.3% FG%, 31.3% 3P%

Analysis: Harkless’ best skill this summer was some pesky on-ball defense. It didn’t result in a lot of steals, but he was fairly disruptive. Offensively, Harkless is point-guard-sized, but he’s still more scorer than playmaker. He’ll return back to the G League Clippers after the preseason.

Jordan Miller

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 25.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 54.9% FG%, 60% 3P%, 80.4 FT%

Analysis: Miller was dominant throughout Summer League. This wasn’t just a case of being bigger, strong and quicker than those defending him, either. There was plenty of that, but Miller flashed a nice off-the-dribble jumper, as well as knocking in spot-up shots. He also got to the free throw line with regularity too. Miller is a good bet to be converted off his two-way deal at some point this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

Colin Castleton

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 11.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 53.1% FG%

Analysis: Castleton was again solid in Summer League. He’s on the verge of being an NBA backup center. If the defense was a touch better, Castleton would already be there. As it stands, his touch, good hands and basketball IQ will have him rolling through G League until that NBA chance comes.

Blake Hinson

Contract Status: Two-years, Two-Way contract

Stats: 10.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 34.1% FG%, 32.8% 3P%

Analysis: Hinson was as advertised coming in. He’s a three-point gunner, who can defend a little bit. He gets up this three-point attempts with relative ease off catch-and-shoots. Defensively, Hinson is competitive, but looked overmatched with the better athletes in the summer setting. As an older prospect, development will have to come quickly for Hinson.

Dalton Knecht

Contract Status: Four-years, $18.5M, 2024 First Round Rookie Scale

Stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 36.7% FG%, 34.2% 3P%, 76.7% FT%

Analysis: We’re not going to worry too much about the shooting percentage. It’s such a small sample size, that an off game or two can completely swing things. All of that said, Knecht looked the part of NBA rotation player all summer. He knows how to play. It’s little things like driving, kicking and not watching, but relocating to an open spot for the return pass. Knecht also showed a knack for drawing fouls. And he did a good job getting his shot off against some tough defense. He should be a rotation player for the Lakers from Day 1, provided he can hold up defensively.

Bronny James

Contract Status: Four-years, $7.9M, 2024 Second Round Pick Exception

Stats: 7.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 32.7% FG%, 13% 3P%

Analysis: James looked as most unbiased observers expected. His shot is a major work-in-progress, as his feel as a playmaker. He’s got good physical gifts, but those mostly show up on defense right now. The good news? James gets a normal summer to work on his game. That’s a plus, before he’ll probably head to the G League for lots of minutes with South Bay.

Maxwell Lewis

Contract Status: Three-years, $6.5M, 2023 Second Round Pick Exception

Stats: 9.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 32.1% FG%, 21.7% 3P%

Analysis: This was a mess of a summer for Lewis. As a second-year guy, the expectation is that Lewis would have been one of the better Lakers. Instead, he couldn’t get any shots to fall. More worrisome was Lewis not being able to create his own looks. He’ll have to get better quickly, or Lewis will be a throw-in player/salary in a trade, or off the roster entirely.

Armel Traore

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 6.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 48.7% FG%, 57.7% FT%

Analysis: Traore has NBA size and athleticism for a forward. He was solid enough finishing around the basket, but the jumper needs a lot of work. Traore was also able to get to the free throw line, but didn’t make many. Still, players with this kind of size/athleticism combo are worth developing through the G League, which is where Traore will spend this season.

Phoenix Suns

Jalen Bridges

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 10.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 42.9% FG%, 40% 3P%

Analysis: As a senior, Bridges showed some signs of being a potential 3&D forward. That continued with the Summer Suns. Bridges was pretty competitive defensively, even if it was tough to standout on defense with two other NBA-ready defenders on the roster. Most impressive was Bridges hit 40% from deep on seven attempts per game. That’s worth keeping an eye on with the Suns new G League affiliate.

Ryan Dunn

Contract Status: Four-years, $12.9M, 2024 First Round Rookie Scale 

Stats: 5.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 34.4% FG%, 0.77% 3P%

Analysis: Starting with the positives, Dunn is ready to defend in the NBA today. He’s got the size, skill and athleticism to guard almost any NBA wings and forwards. On the downside, Dunn has no jump-shot to speak of. And he struggled to finish in Las Vegas. The offense is going to take a while to come around.

Oso Ighodaro

Contract Status: Four-years, $7.9M, 2024 Second Round Pick Exception

Stats: 7.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 50% FG%, 90% FT%

Analysis: Ighodaro stuffed the stat sheet at Summer League. Like Dunn, he’s ready to defend in the NBA right now. He might get overpowered by the biggest centers, but Ighodaro will hold up against everyone else. He showed decent touch on his floater, and knocked down 9-of-10 free throws. Most impressive was Ighodaro’s decision-making as a passer. The Suns can use him as facilitator and short-roll passer on Day 1.

David Roddy

Contract Status: Two-years, $7.7M, 2022 First Round Rookie Scale (traded to Hawks after Summer League)

Stats: 14.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 45.8% FG%, 36.7% 3P%

Analysis: Roddy looked good, but this was his third Summer League. He’s too strong for guards, and he hit enough shots that simply stashing a forward on him didn’t really work. The problem for Roddy is that his lack of size and athleticism shows up against real NBA players. The Suns traded him to the Hawks, so maybe he can break through a crowded forward group in Atlanta.

Sacramento Kings

Adonis Arms

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Stats: 20.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 55.6% FG%, 21.4% 3P%, 69.2% FT%

Analysis: Arms was physically dominant in Summer League. He’s overpowering as an older, developed player at this level. The outside shot is what’s keeping Arms from cracking an NBA roster at this point.

Isaiah Crawford

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 6.6 PPG, 52.6% FG%, 57.1% 3P%

Analysis: Crawford didn’t play a ton of minutes, but he showed enough that he’s worth developing as a potential 3&D guy. He knocked down 8-of-14 three-pointers, which carried over from two straight solid shooting seasons in college. The Kings might have found a real player, especially if Crawford flashes more of his all-around skills in the G League.

Boogie Ellis

Contract Status: One-year, non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp deal

Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 46.8% FG%, 47.1% 3P%

Analysis: Ellis looks the part as a scorer. He gets to his spots and his shot has nice touch. He gets nice lift on his jumper, and he’s a pretty good finisher too. The questions are his playmaking and defense. He’s going to have to become a better passer to make it in the NBA, and his lack of size really works against him on defense.

Keon Ellis

Contract Status: Two-years, $4.4M

Stats: 20.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 52.4% FG%, 38.9% 3P%, 76.9% FT%

Analysis: Ellis didn’t really need to play Summer League. He’s an established NBA guy. What was good to see is that Ellis looked like an established NBA guy. He got to his shots with ease and he hit everything at a good clip. Ellis should probably start for the Kings, as his offense-defense combo is a good fit with the other starters.

Colby Jones

Contract Status: Three-years, $6.7M, 2023 Second Round Pick Exception

Stats: 8.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.0 SPG, 30% FG%, 30% 3P%

Analysis: Jones couldn’t get any shots to fall, but he did a lot of everything else. His defense was terrific, he hit the boards and he showed up as a passer. Given he shot it well in the G League last season, we’ll give that a pass in favor of praising his all-around play. The Kings may need one more wing/forward and Jones could be it.

Isaac Jones

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 9.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 49.2% FG%, 23.5% 3P%, 75% FT%

Analysis: Starting with the positives, Jones looks like he’s NBA-ready physically. He’s quick, he’s strong and he gets up to challenge shots. Jones showed he has a good feel for rebounding, both timing and positioning. Offensively, it’s clear the Kings challenged Jones to shoot jumpers, as he took more threes in eight Summer League games than he took in his entire senior season at Washington. That’s a good focus for Jones, because he needs to be able to shoot to stick in the NBA. Keep an eye on that progress in Stockton this season.

Mason Jones

Contract Status: One-year, Two-Way contract

Stats: 13.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 47.8% FG%, 38.9% 3P%, 89.7% FT%

Analysis: Jones’ shooting and scoring wasn’t much of a surprise. As an experienced player in this setting, that’s be somewhat expected. Everything else jumped off the screen. Jones got on the glass better than we’ve ever seen. And his passing was outstanding. He was also a more competitive, active defender. Maybe everything is clicking for Jones now. If so, the Kings have a real player to watch on a two-way deal.

 


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