For the entire month of July 24 NBA teams participated in the league's annual Summer League. Even though a team is crowned Champion of the Summer League what really matters is the development of the players. Teams included rookies, second and third year players, and basketball journeymen looking to prove that they deserve a spot on a NBA roster.
Here are 10 of the top players at this years NBA Summer League
1. D'Angelo Russell, PG, Los Angeles Lakers
In the final seconds of the Lakers game against the Philadelphia 76ers everyone in the gym knew where the ball was going and Russell drained a game winning three. After making it he pointed to his forearm saying that he has "ice in his veins".
2. Devin Booker,SG, Phoenix Suns
Booker was one of the top scorers this year averaging 26 points and 6.5 assists per game. At just 19 years old he's younger than most of this year's rookie class.
3.Kris Dunn,PG, Minnesota Timberwolves
Before the draft scouts said that Dunn was the most NBA ready player available and he showcased his talents averaging 24 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
4. Ben Simmons, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
If he hadn't sat out so many games he'd be number one on this list. When he was on court Simmons showed his playmaking abilities and why he's been compared to greats LeBron James and Magic Johnson.
5. Trey Lyles,PF, Utah Jazz
Lyles led everyone in scoring at the Summer League with his inside out game.
6. Terry Rozier,PG, Boston Celtics
Rozier played sparingly last season because of the logjam in the Celtics backcourt but made a major statement for playing time this season with his performance this summer.
7. Jaylen Brown,SF, Boston Celtics
The third pick in the 2016 draft struggled the first couple of games but finished strong despite a knee injury. Brown used his athletic ability to get to the free throw line 17 times in one game.
8.Kay Felder,PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
At just 5'9" Felder was one of the shortest players participating but his size . Using his quickness to get anywhere on the floor Felder is a bucket getter that may very well be the Cleveland Cavaliers backup point guard next season.
9. Josh Richardson,SG, Miami Heat
With Dwyane Wade going home to the Chicago Bulls, Richardson is now the Miami Heat's new starting shooting guard.
10. Thon Maker,PF, Milwaukee Bucks
Maker had the most to prove of any player at this year's Summer League because of the level of competition he's played against. In five games Maker was a double double machine averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.
