NBA

James has not found his groove offensively, especially from beyond the arc. After going 0-of-3 on Monday, the rookie guard has missed his last 15 3-point attempts. Unfortunately, he failed to offer much value in other categories, tallying one assist and no steals or blocked shots. Most have known that James will be a more credible option for dynasty leagues than redraft formats, so his early struggles are unsurprising. Hopefully, he can develop his game at his own pace after an uneven freshman season at USC.

Since struggling to begin the California Classic, Knecht’s production has picked up. He didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but the first-round pick was by far the Lakers’ most assertive player on the offensive end of the floor. The defensive production was a welcome bonus, and Knecht can provide solid value on the boards. The role he has taken on in summer league is unlikely to align with what the Lakers will need from Knecht once the season begins, but he’s a talented scorer who can give the team solid production off the bench from Day One.

The Celtics have depth at the center position, even with Kristaps Porzingis (leg) expected to miss 5-6 months after undergoing surgery last month. Queta wasn’t considered by many to be in the equation, but his play in Las Vegas may change that. After tallying 20 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s loss to the Heat, the 7-footer put up 22 and eight with three blocks against the Lakers. Queta’s contract for next season is guaranteed, so he will be on the roster. As for getting the minutes needed to be relevant in fantasy leagues, Queta’s best chance will be on nights when Al Horford doesn’t play.

Williams has looked more comfortable in Las Vegas than Salt Lake City, and increased opportunities to serve as a playmaker have helped. While the assist tally (one) may not be impressive, the first-round pick out of Colorado was able to set up teammates on numerous occasions. Williams’ fantasy value could be low to begin the season, but he’s a player who would flourish if the Jazz pulled the plug and went all-in on “Capture the (Cooper) Flag(g)” after the calendar flips to 2025.

With 2024 first-round pick Devin Carter (shoulder) sidelined, Jones, the Kings’ first-round pick in 2023, is one of the team’s focal points in summer league. Twelve of his 21 shot attempts came from beyond the arc on Monday, and a catch-and-shoot role could be what awaits Jones once the season begins. With De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan all being capable playmakers, a reserve like Jones will be most valuable if he can defend his position and hit open shots. He isn’t a must-draft player right now, but Carter’s shoulder injury (he’ll miss at least six months) may open up opportunities for Jones after failing to crack the rotation last season.

Dowtin has given the 76ers solid point guard play throughout the summer, likely improving his chances of sticking with the team in some capacity. He won’t be a player to target in fantasy drafts, as the 76ers will have Tyrese Maxey and Kyle Lowry on the roster. However, injuries could put Dowtin in a position to offer streaming value occasionally.

McCain hit three 3-pointers but had a rough night shooting the basketball. His three triples came on ten attempts, and he failed to make a shot from inside the arc (0-of-6). McCain played off the ball for most of Monday’s game, which will likely be his role with the 76ers once the games are official. While he can certainly provide catch-and-shoot value, McCain needs to be better at attacking close-outs and finishing around the basket.

While the scoring remains a work in progress, Clingan was again impactful as a rebounder and shot-blocker. He hit double digits in rebounds for the second consecutive summer league game, and he’s up to eight blocked shots in Las Vegas. A welcome bonus on Monday was Clingan’s work as a facilitator, dishing out five assists on the night. Clingan’s fantasy value as a rookie would increase if he could occasionally serve as a playmaker within Portland’s offense.

Curry is back with Charlotte after the team waived him before the start of free agency. Traded to his hometown team in February as part of the PJ Washington deal, the veteran guard averaged 9.0 points per game in eight appearances for the Hornets. Curry is unlikely to impact fantasy hoops next season.

Dallas got off to a brutal start on Monday and never recovered, getting blown out for the second consecutive game. Prosper was one of the bright spots, as he hit two 3-pointers on four attempts and tied for the team lead in assists with Brandon Williams. As a rookie, O-Max did not see much action, and he’ll face an uphill battle for rotation minutes in 2024-25. However, the loss of Derrick Jones Jr. may lead to more opportunities for Prosper to contribute, especially as a defender.