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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Hawks
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Trae Young poses for a photo after being selected fifth overall at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Atlanta Hawks

Hawks Schedule:

  • Saturday vs. New York – 5:30 ET – ESPN
  • Sunday vs. Portland – 5:30 ET – ESPN2
  • Tuesday vs. Chicago – 6:00 ET – NBATV

Trae Young was the biggest risk-reward pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Young led the nation in points and assists as a freshman at Oklahoma. Based on his shooting ability, his closest NBA comparison is Stephen Curry.

However, Young is undersized at 6’2”, has issues keeping his turnovers down and struggles going against quicker guards defensively.

If he becomes 75 percent of the scorer Curry is, he will be well worth the fifth pick. The downside is, if he is merely a good, not great, offensive player, he likely won’t be a starter and could even fall out of an NBA rotation.

The top of the 2018 draft was full of quality big men that made for safe picks. It also featured 19-year old Euroleague MVP Luka Doncic. The Hawks passed on those options. Instead, they traded down two picks to select Young.

The Hawks were one of the teams to get an early start on Summer League play, participating in the Salt Lake City league with games Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Young’s first impression was not a good one, as he shot 12-52 from the field in his first three games. He also made news after a brief scuffle with Utah Jazz first-round pick Grayson Allen.

The Hawks have two other first-round picks from the 2018 draft.

Kevin Huerter is a 6’7” sharp-shooting wing out of Maryland that was selected with the No. 19 pick. Unfortunately, he will miss Summer League play with a broken hand.

Omari Spellman is a 6’9” post player who was selected with the No. 30 pick out of Villanova. He has been a starter for the team’s three games so far this week, averaging 10 points and almost 8 rebounds.

Perhaps the Hawks’ best young prospect, including Trae Young, is 2017 first-round pick, John Collins. Atlanta got Collins with the No. 19 pick in last year’s draft. Collins impressed as a rookie, averaging 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds over 74 games in 2017-18. While he is expected to travel to Las Vegas, he may be done with Summer League. He sat out Thursday’s game for rest.

Tyler Dorsey is also a second-year player who saw quality minutes as a rookie. The 6’5” guard out of Oregon could make a quality backcourt mate with Young.

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