NBA Summer League Preview: Sophomores to Watch
Entering a Pivotal Second Season, How Will These Players Take a Step in Their Developments?
Summer League.
The perfect place to show off all the aspects of your game you've been working on in the offseason.
During this pivotal 2023 offseason, NBA Sophomores will be looking to display their improved abilities in Vegas this Summer at Summer League. The players I'm going to mention have shown huge flashes but have yet to fully put it all together.
So, without further adieu, here are my 2023 NBA Summer League Sophomores to Watch:
Ousmane Dieng - Forward - OKC Thunder
Just when you think the future can't get any brighter in OKC, it does. The 6'10", 20 y/o sophomore has all of the tools and ability to be a top player in this league. Dieng's flashes this year were highly encouraging, suggesting he has All-Star upside. Despite a season derailed by a wrist injury, Dieng's improvement throughout the year had Thunder fans grinning ear to ear. Averaging 4.9 PPG on inefficient splits didn't tell the whole story for Dieng, as he was a solid contributor down the stretch on a team that played postseason basketball.
Dieng's performance at this year's Summer League will be pivotal for his confidence and development, which Thunder fans should hope parlays into Dieng officially cracking the rotation for good this year. Keep your eye on Dieng in what is shaping up to be an interesting Summer League team, as he's joined by Cason Wallace and potentially ROTY candidate Chet Holmgren!
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Malaki Branham - Guard - San Antonio Spurs
Coming off of a Rookie Year with many ups and downs, Malaki Branham sits in a fascinating spot regarding the Spurs' plans. By now, most of you know that Branham is a walking bucket. He led all rookies in scoring in the month of February at 16.8 PPG. That was more than Banchero, J-Dub, and others. But unlike Dieng, Branham isn't looking to take a step offensively as much as he will be defensively. I'm an avid fan of Branham's but I cannot go without addressing his horrendous defense. Branham was one of the NBA's worst defenders this past year, and he must address this before he falls into the trap of a Cam Thomas type of player that adds nothing but scoring.
The team that the San Antonio Spurs field this Summer will be the center of attention in Vegas, with Wemby headlining them all. It'll be exciting to see how Branham plays off of Victor since that'll be his future. Keep an eye on Branham's development this Summer!
Dyson Daniels - Guard - New Orleans Pelicans
The 6'7" Aussie Daniels is coming off of an okay Rookie season. Despite playing solid minutes for Head Coach Willie Green, Daniels still has lots of room for growth. That's why this year's Summer League is vital for Daniels. We know what he has to offer defensively, which will always make him valuable throughout his career but to take a jump this year, Daniels must develop his shot from beyond the arc.
In a Summer League roster that expects to feature first-round pick Jordan Hawkins' shooting, Daniels must establish himself as "the guy" offensively to take the next step in his development. Watch out for Dyson Daniels this Summer League, as I expect him to take a leap in his development!
Wrap-Up
Get ready for some thrilling NBA Summer League action as sophomore players take the stage to showcase their growth and potential. Keep a close watch on Ousmane Dieng from the OKC Thunder, whose flashes of brilliance despite an injury had Thunder fans grinning from ear to ear. Dieng's performance in Summer League could cement his spot in the rotation and bring even more excitement to the bright future in OKC.
In San Antonio, Malaki Branham of the Spurs is set to captivate with his scoring prowess. However, he's on a mission to step up his defense and avoid becoming a one-dimensional player. It'll be fascinating to see how Branham meshes with top prospect Victor Wembanyama, making the Spurs' Summer League team a must-watch.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on Dyson Daniels of the New Orleans Pelicans, the Aussie guard looking to elevate his offensive game, especially his shooting from beyond the arc. Summer League presents the perfect opportunity for Daniels to establish himself as "the guy" and take a significant leap in his development offensively.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the excitement as these talented sophomores light up the Summer League stage with their talent and ability.