The top rookies in the 2022 class dominated NBA Summer League headlines as Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero played in limited action. However, the intrigue of the action in Las Vegas goes far beyond the performances from the league’s top rookies. The two-week showcase is also a showcase for the league’s second-year players. When incoming sophomores are looking to jump into their second 82-game campaign, Summer League is a natural place to jump.
So which second-year players made the biggest impact in Summer League? Let’s highlight some of the best players.
Moses Moody, Warriors
Moody could star in Golden State’s turnaround in 2022-23 after being benched for spending too much time. He was impressive during the California Classic portion of the Summer League, with a 34-point performance that marked an impressive start to the summer. Moody flashed his myriad talents in an outstanding performance. He hit two threes and was able to beat defenses that ran away from him at the line, looking reminiscent of the Swiss army knives (Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa come to mind) of the Warriors’ past. Moody’s offensive arsenal is impressive and he should thrive surrounded by two of the greatest shooters in basketball history. How Moody contributes as a defender and rebounder could determine how much playing time he gets from Steve Kerr, especially considering the hole left by the departure of Gary Payton II.
Trey Murphy III, Pelicans
Murphy showed flashes as a pick-and-pop threat in limited minutes with New Orleans last season, knocking down 44.3% of his attempts from beyond the arc. He built on his short-term success as a rookie during his time in Las Vegas. The Virginia Cavalier forward finished third among all Summer League players in scoring with 26.5 points per game, and in a promising move, showed more determination of attacking defenses from the field. It’s not like Murphy will be a two-way force, though his game may be better than what we saw during his rookie season. Combining his three-point shooting and freshman quality and finishing at the rim will go a long way in cementing a spot in New Orleans’ crowded rotation.
Quentin Grimes, Knicks
New York’s history over the past decade has been spotty (to say the least), though it appears the Knicks made a smart decision in selecting Grimes in the first round in 2021. Grimes is an athletic 3-and-D wing . more than he was given, and he had no problem handling the added responsibility of playing in the Summer League. See the article : USA vs Haiti – Football Game Report – July 4, 2022. Grimes averaged 22.6 points per game in five Summer League contests, spending most of his time as the starting point guard. Perhaps Grimes will soon become the cornerstone of Utah’s build in a potential Donovan Mitchell trade, but for now, Knicks fans can look to him as a potential building block in the franchise’s attempt to return to relevance.
Cam Thomas, Nets
The LSU product became a fan favorite last season as he helped keep the Nets afloat amid numerous injuries and absences. Thomas scored 20-plus points 10 times in his rookie season. With an underperforming team, his microwave scoring ability proved invaluable. The same trend continued in Las Vegas. On the same subject : The 20 Best Video Game Endings of All Time. Thomas trailed only Moody in points per game and was one of four players to average double-digit free throw attempts per game. Perhaps a good portion of his pitchers come from limited Summer League usage, but there is likely still hope to take from his Vegas performance. Thomas is already making his mark in the league as a promising bench player. Expect him to get more speed in Brooklyn this year.
Josh Giddey, Thunder
Did the Australian point guard light up the Summer League in his five-game summer stint? Not so much. But I’ll take any reason possible to promote one of the league’s best point guards. See the article : Wherever You Can Get Free & Cheap Food on the First Day of Summer. The flavor of the Giddey-Holmgren connection rings true. Let’s hope to see more of this in the next decade.