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But as many mentioned during a week of games in Las Vegas, a three-year NBA veteran is supposed to have a big impact on Summer League games; if he didn’t, that’d be a cause for concern. So as good as Lawson has been, it’s unwise to even pencil him in for a roster spot — “lots of basketball between now and training camp cuts,” one executive warned. The same point is being made about the entire Raptors roster. They’ve certainly played well and the team’s defence was outstanding through the first three games but, as a handful of executives pointed out, it’s a team that includes seven players who spent time in the NBA last season and if they weren’t successful that’d also be a cause for concern.
While discussing his childhood hero, Kasparas Jakučionis’ eyes lit up and his smile widened. The Miami Heat rookie already appeared in a good mood when he discussed overcoming early shooting struggles in the California Classic with strong performances in Las Vegas Summer League. When he reflected on watching LeBron James growing up, it seems that Jakučionis will most look forward to when the Heat play the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024-25 season. “When I was little, he was my hero,” Jakučionis told Sportskeeda about James. “He’s a complete basketball player. He does everything for the team to win. He’s a winning guy. He’s involving other players in the game. He can score whenever he wants. He defends. Basically, he is the true leader.”
The Brooklyn Nets are currently playing Summer League, but Cam Thomas’ future remains unresolved. The latest episode of The Zach Lowe Show on The Ringer shed some light on what is happening with the 23-year-old’s next contract. “The consensus on Cam Thomas — if there is one, and he's got some fans, and he's got some mega-detractors — but the consensus is kind of like empty calories, ball hog,” Lowe said in regards to Thomas’ perception around the league.
This year is no different. Kawamura knows he can make an impact in this league. And he’ll take any opportunity to prove that point, again and again. “I believe I still can play in the NBA,” Kawamura said after his first NBA Summer League game with the Chicago Bulls. “I want to get a contract — two-way, whatever. I just want to get a contract.”
Windhorst acknowledged that he is not worried about the status of his deal and aligned his focus on the NBA Playoffs and subsequent events surrounding the league, which has consisted of the NBA Draft, free agency and the ongoing NBA Summer League. Over the years, he has inked a number of contracts at ESPN and shared that he has not had a stressful situation because the deals are generally lined up with the start of the league season. “When our season ends in July, a lot of people are on vacation, so it is not unusual for this business to be taken care of later,” Windhorst said. “But I’m going to keep getting up and working for ESPN.”
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K.C. Johnson: All right, we're here with Matas. We're in Las Vegas Summer League, but I want to start with a look back. I have not asked you what your reaction was to making All-Rookie Second Team. Matas Buzelis: Oh yeah. Honestly, to have your name on something like that, to have the award, is always an honor. It shows the countless hours of working in the gym. Even looking back at playing AAU, sacrificing my childhood life to play basketball. All the memories come flying back — me and my mom driving an hour to go work out, staying there, working out hard three, four hours. It’s honestly a blessing. Hopefully I get more awards soon. K.C. Johnson: Any part of you mad you weren’t on First Team? Matas Buzelis: I'm always mad. I always think I could do better. I wanted that Rookie of the Year, but it's all in God's plan. Second Team All-Rookie is not bad either.
Chase Hughes: Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson III and Will Riley are all OUT tonight against the Sixers, per the team. Johnson III is out with right hamstring tightness, Riley with left thumb soreness. They're day-to-day. Starters: AJ Johnson, Leaky Black, Dillon Jones, Jamir Watkins, Liam Robbins
“Very, very good experience for me,” Larsson said of his summer league on-ball opportunities. “I’m going to have more of it this summer with the national team, as well. So I just got to keep growing with that. I had too many, maybe, lapses of focus handling the ball. But it’s a great learning experience.”
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Erik Slater: Egor Demin and Danny Wolf will not play in today’s Summer League game with the Nets on the front end of a back-to-back. No injuries. Both are resting. Tosan Evbuoman (hip contusion) and Tyson Etienne (illness) are also OUT.
Stefan Bondy: Pacome Dadiet (toe sprain) and Kevin McCullar (nasal contusion) are out of today’s game for the Knicks James Nnaji is available
Josh Robbins: The Magic's Jase Richardson, Noah Penda and Tristan da Silva will not play in this afternoon's game against the Thunder, a Magic official said. Keep in mind that today's game is the first of a back-to-back.
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