Summer League Sensations: Who Boosted Their Fantasy Basketball Value Most?

The NBA 2K26 Summer League, held in Las Vegas, serves as a crucial platform for emerging talents and newly drafted players to acclimate to high-level competition before joining the NBA. It also offers invaluable insights, indicating which 2025 rookies are poised for immediate impact, relevant for both fantasy basketball enthusiasts and sports bettors.

Beyond the newcomers, the league provides a stage for second- and third-year players to demonstrate their growth and readiness for expanded roles within their respective NBA teams.

Attending the Summer League in person offers a unique perspective for evaluating young prospects and forecasting their near-future contributions. Here are my key observations from Las Vegas and how I anticipate they will influence the upcoming season.

Impactful Rookies

Cooper Flagg, SF, Dallas Mavericks

He undeniably possesses “it.” A significant advantage of witnessing games live, compared to merely following box scores or watching on television, is the immersion in the full atmosphere – the energy of players both on and off the court, the crowd`s reaction, and the overall sense of a defining moment. This was perfectly exemplified in the second quarter of Flagg`s debut. As he powerfully drove into the paint, surrounded by Lakers defenders, and prepared to elevate for a dunk over the entire California contingent, both I and a fellow NBA analyst paused our conversation, grasping each other`s arms with a shared realization: `He`s not actually going to…` The entire arena fell silent, holding its collective breath. That, indeed, was a moment.

Beyond that singular play, I was thoroughly impressed by Flagg`s skill level. In his first game, he delivered a strong all-around performance despite his shot being slightly off. His second game, however, saw him explode for 31 points, showcasing his scoring potential when his shooting is on target. Furthermore, Flagg`s physical presence was notable; in person, he appeared more robust than anticipated, which bodes well for his ability to compete physically with professional players. All these elements are crucial indicators.

For elite prospects, observing someone with “it” in Vegas and then seeing them fail to impress in their rookie season is rare. We`ve been anticipating Flagg`s arrival for years. He was an immediate frontrunner for Rookie of the Year the moment he was drafted. After witnessing him in Vegas, I am completely convinced of his potential.

Assuming he avoids injury, Flagg is expected to have a stellar rookie season for a Mavericks team that truly needs his contributions. I would confidently select him in the fourth round of fantasy basketball drafts, and that`s a conservative estimate.

Dylan Harper, PG, San Antonio Spurs

Having scouted the Las Vegas Summer League for two decades, one of the most memorable early performances I witnessed was Brandon Roy`s in 2006. Roy didn`t earn the Summer League MVP that year; that distinction went to Randy Foye, for whom Roy was acquired on draft night. While Foye impressed with his explosive, spectacular ability to create his own shot off the dribble, Roy quietly delivered a more impactful and sophisticated performance.

Roy, a tall guard at 6-foot-6, demonstrated in Summer League that he could effectively orchestrate an offense as a point guard. He moved effortlessly across the court without rushing, utilizing screens and angles to gain an advantage over opponents and penetrate defenses. He completely controlled the game`s flow, subsequently showcasing this same mastery at the NBA level, leading him to win the 2007 Rookie of the Year award.

The highest praise I can offer Harper`s Summer League display in Vegas is that it strongly evoked what I observed from Roy in 2006.

Harper is another large, fluid guard who commands the action on the court without appearing to force anything. He consistently managed to drive into the paint off the dribble, whether by using screens or simply breaking down his defender. Once at the rim, his size and explosiveness made him a constant threat to score or draw fouls. He also skillfully drew in defenders before dishing to open teammates. His athleticism translated effectively to both offense and defense; notably, he produced one of the tournament`s highlights with an incredible, acrobatic blocked shot as the sole defender on a fast break.

On draft night, I hadn`t initially projected Harper to produce significant fantasy basketball statistics as a rookie, given the Spurs` depth at his position. They have All-Star De`Aaron Fox at point guard and several talented wings, including the reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. It remains challenging to envision Harper getting enough minutes to compete with peers like Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award.

Nevertheless, Harper`s Summer League performance was exceptionally impressive, and he appears ready to excel in whatever role the Spurs assign him. If he earns a substantial role, Harper possesses the game to be a favored contender in the Rookie of the Year race and a valuable asset in fantasy basketball rankings. His performance in Vegas certainly answered that critical question for me.

Tre Johnson, SG, Washington Wizards

Neither the No. 3 pick, VJ Edgecombe, nor the No. 5 pick, Ace Bailey, participated in the Las Vegas Summer League, leaving us without additional insights into their immediate season expectations. However, Johnson, selected sixth overall, did play and performed admirably, showcasing many skills likely to translate into strong rookie numbers.

On draft night, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas lauded Johnson as the premier 3-point shooter in this year`s class, citing his ability to hit them accurately and in high volume both off the dribble and from spot-up situations. Johnson demonstrated this shooting prowess in Vegas, often playing point guard, where he appeared highly comfortable creating and making his own shots. He executed this effectively in half-court sets and also showed a willingness to pull up for a three-pointer on fast breaks.

Johnson will join a Washington Wizards team firmly entrenched in a rebuilding phase. The Wizards have recently traded their leading scorers from the past two seasons (Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks at the trade deadline, Jordan Poole to the Pelicans this offseason). Although veterans CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton were brought in, the vast majority of their rotation consists of very young players, signaling a focus on future development.

Johnson aligns perfectly with this long-term vision and projects as a natural shooter/scorer who should command significant minutes from day one. After what I observed in Vegas, I now consider him an even stronger contender in the Rookie of the Year race and a priority on my fantasy basketball watch list.

Sophomores on the Rise

Alex Sarr, C, Wizards

Despite a modest performance in last year`s Summer League, Sarr went on to have a respectable rookie season. As a sophomore, Sarr delivered one of the most memorable performances I witnessed in his second game in Vegas on Sunday. Sarr`s presence was felt across the entire court, particularly on defense, where he seemed to block nearly every shot. I wasn`t surprised to learn he had blocked eight shots, falling just two short of a triple-double (16 points, 12 rebounds, 8 blocks).

Sarr is an exceptional athlete in the paint, leveraging his athleticism for both rebounding and rim protection. Offensively, he utilizes his athletic prowess to finish near the basket, but he also possesses a reliable shot and is continuously refining his 3-point range. He stands as the sole starting-caliber center on an extremely youthful Wizards roster, poised to become their franchise cornerstone. I anticipate Sarr will build upon his solid rookie campaign and deliver a very strong performance in his sophomore year.

Reed Sheppard, PG/SG, Houston Rockets

Sheppard was lauded as the top shooter in the 2024 draft class and had an impressive rookie showing in Las Vegas. However, once the regular season began, minutes proved scarce on a Rockets team with significant perimeter depth. This offseason, the Rockets traded their starting shooting guard and small forward, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, along with another promising young wing, Cam Whitmore. This opens up substantial minutes for Sheppard, and his performance in Vegas this season indicates he`s ready to capitalize on that opportunity.

Ironically, Sheppard`s shooting was his weaker point in Vegas this season; he engaged in volume shooting rather than his characteristic marksmanship from deep. Yet, in the games I observed, he was undeniably the dominant player on the court. Sheppard only participated in two games before being sidelined, but he was unquestionably among the sophomores I deemed “too good for the summer league.” In addition to accumulating 46 points across those two contests, he also grabbed 11 rebounds and an impressive eight steals. Sheppard possesses the talent to provide an all-around stat line for fantasy basketball purposes, and it certainly appears he should secure at least sixth-man minutes as a sophomore.

Ronald Holland II, SF, Detroit Pistons

Holland, the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, accumulated extensive experience as a rookie, playing in 81 regular season games and even seeing some playoff minutes. Consequently, it`s hardly surprising that the Summer League competition seemed too easy for him. In his first game, he appeared to be everywhere, scoring at will (28 points on just 12 field-goal attempts) from both inside (13 free-throw attempts) and outside (4-for-5 from 3-point range). Holland also dominated the boards in his Vegas sophomore debut, simply out-muscling and out-hustling opponents to secure 11 rebounds. Although I didn`t witness his third game, he reportedly controlled it defensively with six steals in 33 minutes.

Holland possesses a sophisticated offensive game, capable of creating off the dribble and scoring effectively from all three levels. He is a robust defender and rebounder, playing a vital role for a young Pistons squad. While starting minutes seem unlikely, if he can secure legitimate sixth-man minutes, Holland`s production could significantly increase, making him relevant in fantasy basketball for his sophomore campaign.

Rob Dillingham, PG and Terrence Shannon Jr., SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves

Dillingham showed remarkable improvement in Vegas this season compared to his rookie year, when he seemed to struggle integrating his shot into the offense while trying to manage the point guard role. The Timberwolves need Dillingham to evolve into their future lead guard as Mike Conley`s tenure approaches its end. Furthermore, they require another playmaker in the main rotation alongside Anthony Edwards.

Dillingham`s performance in this Summer League clearly demonstrated significant strides, indicating that the professional game is slowing down for him. What stood out most was his newfound comfort on the court and how seamlessly he transitioned between floor general and offensive threat. Dillingham was strong in his second Vegas game, which I observed in person, tallying 15 points and seven assists. He was even better on Wednesday, after my departure, recording 23 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. I foresee a significant sophomore leap in production for Dillingham as he settles into a major role in the Timberwolves` rotation.

The same can be said for Dillingham`s teammate and classmate, Shannon, who was the most impressive player on the court in the Timberwolves` first Summer League game. He attacked aggressively off the dribble, both in half-court sets and on fast breaks, concluding with 20 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Shannon continued this trend, scoring 20 or more points in each of his first three games, and at various times, he controlled the game`s tempo with his rebounding and playmaking.

The Timberwolves lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the offseason, and Shannon appears poised to embrace a larger sophomore role. Shannon was drafted 27th in 2024, but had been considered a lottery talent prior to a December 2023 arrest. Shannon was found not guilty of felony rape and aggravated assault by a jury in Kansas weeks before the draft, then earned his way onto the court for the Timberwolves as a rookie, even receiving meaningful playoff minutes. He is another player who could achieve fantasy basketball relevance in a rotation role as a sophomore.

Kyle Filipowski, PF, Utah Jazz

My initial notes on Filipowski from his first sophomore Summer League game read: `Filipowski posts at the free-throw line, draws the foul on the drive. He looks too good for Summer League, but already has 4 fouls… make it 5… with 3 minutes left in the second quarter. He then knocks down another 3 at the other end.` Filipowski ultimately dropped 32 points in that game, adding six rebounds, five assists, and a blocked shot.

Sometimes, a player has only one exceptional performance, and if that happens to be the one I witness, my impression might be more favorable than if I had seen other games. However, Filipowski was dominant throughout the league, recording 21 points and six rebounds in his second game, and a remarkable 35 points with 11 boards on Monday. Filipowski had a solid rookie season, averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.1 RPG on 50.2 FG% in 21.1 MPG. Given that the Jazz traded starting power forward John Collins, Filipowski could be in line for a significantly larger sophomore role. His rookie production already put him on the fantasy basketball radar, but based on his Vegas performance and a projected expanded role, Filipowski holds legitimate fantasy upside as a second-year player.

Quick Takes and Additional Notes

• Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen garnered significant attention in Vegas. In his debut, Hansen received one of the loudest crowd reactions during introductions that day, surpassed only by Flagg and Bronny James. When the game commenced, he won the opening tip, then ran down the court, calling out the play he wanted the Trail Blazers to execute. They followed his lead, and he curled through the paint, back to the top of the key, received the ball, and delivered a perfect bounce-pass to a cutter for an effortless layup. A few minutes later, he followed this with an even more spectacular assist, demonstrating himself to be one of the best passing big men in this year`s class. While he`s behind last year`s lottery pick Donovan Clingan on the depth chart, I recommend keeping an eye on Yang to see what his role evolves into as a rookie. He certainly possesses considerable potential.

• I observed the Charlotte Hornets twice in Vegas, primarily focusing on No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel. However, it was No. 29 pick Liam McNeeley who truly shined, tallying 22 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and three 3-pointers. McNeeley had two strong games before being sidelined with Achilles tendonitis. He faces an uphill battle for playing time this season, but his strong showing in Vegas makes him worth monitoring. Knueppel struggled initially but improved as the league progressed. He also has a more direct path to playing time for the Hornets and could secure meaningful minutes as a shooter from the start of the season.

• Walter Clayton Jr., the No. 18 pick last month and a star from the NCAA champion Florida squad, played only one game for the Jazz before sustaining a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, in that single outing against Charlotte, he showcased the shooting prowess that earned him the Most Outstanding Player award in the NCAA tournament and a draft selection. In that game, Clayton hit four 3-pointers, scored 21 points, and grabbed six rebounds. He will be playing for a very young Jazz team in full rebuilding mode, and I can envision Clayton earning a significant role right from the start of the season, provided he remains healthy.