Fansided

5 hottest NBA Summer League attractions fans need to see in Vegas

By Daniel Stave

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mo Bamba
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Texas Longhorns forward Mohamed Bamba (4) reverse slams the ball against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship First Round between the Nevada Wolf Pack on March 16, 2018 and the Texas Longhorns at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Orlando Magic

Magic Schedule:

  • Friday vs. Brooklyn – 5:00 ET – NBATV
  • Sunday vs. Memphis – 9:30 ET – ESPN2
  • Monday vs. Phoenix – 9:30 ET – NBATV

The Magic have stacked up on young, athletic bigs the last few drafts. The two youngest should carry their team to success in Las Vegas.

Mohamed Bamba was the sixth pick in the 2018 draft. His 7’10” wingspan helped him become a shot-blocking force at the University of Texas. He’ll have to compete with Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, and Bismack Biyombo for playing time in the regular season. But in Summer League he’ll be one of the main attractions. It will also be interesting to see how much success he has with his three-point shot that he worked on in the pre-draft process.

Jonathan Isaac was the sixth pick a year ago. An ankle injury limited him to 27 games as a rookie, but he has an NBA body. Isaac displayed good basketball instincts and has a well-rounded game, especially for his size.

Beyond the two big men, the Magic have a trio of high second-round picks from the last two years that they’d love to see develop into rotation players.

Wesley Iwundu and Melvin Frazier have a chance to become competent wings that are more rare and valuable in the modern NBA. Orlando selected Wesley Iwundu with the No. 33 pick in the 2017 draft. He played 62 games as a rookie, starting 12. Frazier was the No. 35 pick in 2018’s draft.

Justin Jackson was the No. 43 pick this year and projects as a combo forward at 6’7”. He missed most of his sophomore season at Maryland after tearing his labrum in December.

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