Key Takeaways:
– Bronny James will make his NBA Summer League debut for the Los Angeles Lakers.
– Anthony Morrow tops the list of highlights in NBA Summer League history.
– The Lakers have two memorable contributions with performances from Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.
– The 2023 Summer League will also see the debut of Dalton Knecht.
NBA Summer League Buzz: Enter Bronny James
The NBA Summer League can be a fascinating springboard for rookies, and with Bronny James set to step on the platform, this summer promises to be memorable. Bronny, an up-and-coming talent, signed a 4-year, $7.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. This makes his upcoming appearance in the Summer League as one to watch.
While we don’t expect Bronny to break into the top five individual performances so early on, it’s still an opportunity for audiences to witness the rookie magic underway. Interestingly, two of the top five spots are already occupied by Laker legends.
Top Five Performances of NBA Summer League History
The NBA Summer League has witnessed some sterling performances over the years. Let’s dive in, starting from the top with a surprising undrafted rookie.
1. Anthony Morrow (Golden State Warriors, 2009)
Anthony Morrow, an unexpected stunner from Georgia Tech, holds the highest Summer League record for scoring a blazing 47 points against the New Orleans Hornets in 2009. Morrow eventually led the NBA in 3-point percentage as a rookie.
2. Lonzo Ball (Los Angeles Lakers, 2017)
Lonzo Ball’s debut was nothing short of fantastic, scoring 36 points along with 11 assists and 8 rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers. These stats helped him to lead the Lakers to the Summer League championship.
3. Furkan Korkmaz (Philadelphia 76ers, 2018)
Despite his team’s loss against Boston Celtics, Furkan Korkmaz’s 40 point performance couldn’t be overlooked. Korkmaz showed a promising start to his career, demonstrating his scoring prowess right from the beginning.
4. Josh Hart (Los Angeles Lakers, 2018)
Josh Hart demonstrated an all-around skillset in a double-overtime game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Scoring 37 points and claiming 9 rebounds, he also swept up the Summer League MVP honor that year.
5. Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz, 2017)
In a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Donovan Mitchell scored powerfully and showed phenomenal defensive skills. His hefty contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers cements his status in the league.
New Blood in Town: Dalton Knecht
Besides Bronny, another talent to watch out for this year is Dalton Knecht, the 17th overall pick. A talented shooter from Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in his senior year and proved to be a deep threat from the 3-point line. Fans are eager to see what he brings to the table in the Summer League.
Famous basketball player, LeBron James, himself expressed interest in watching Knecht play, indicating the young player’s potential to draw significant viewership.
Conclusion
The NBA Summer League serves as a playground where promising newbies like Bronny James and Dalton Knecht can show their potential. While predictions are often optimistic, the exhilarating atmosphere coupled with the unique opportunity can indeed work wonders for these rookies. So, with new talent on the horizon, this year’s Summer League is an event to watch out for.