Top 3 Storylines To Watch For At 2024 NBA Summer League

The 2024 NBA rookie class has been in action over the last few weeks with the California Classic and the Salt Lake City Summer Leagues taking place. But the Las Vegas Summer League is when the real action gets underway. All eyes will be on Sin City over the next 11 days as all 30 teams get a glimpse at their new, young talent.

Here are three storylines that I'm interested to see play out in the next week and a half.

1. Will Zach Edey Dominate?

Zach Edey was drafted ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and has already had a strong start to his NBA career. In the NBA Summer League debut in Salt Lake City, Edey recorded 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks, including a buzzer-beating tip-in that sent the game into overtime. Memphis went on to lose that game to the Jazz, but the Big Man's performance gave us a glimpse into what we can expect over the next week and a half in Vegas.

That performance alone moved Edey into the top spot on the Rookie of the Year odds board. At +600 on BetMGM, he surpassed Alexandre Sarr (+700), Zaccharie Risacher (+800), and Stephon Castle (+900), who occupied the top three spots immediately following the draft. That's a significant drop in his opening odds of +2500.

Despite concerns about his mobility and outside shooting, the two-time Naismith College Player of the Year proved he's capable of fitting into the NBA, especially considering he was playing against an established player like Walker Kessler.

That said, I realize I'm making these claims off of one game sample size, so I'm eager to see if he will continue playing at this level.

2. Did The Hawks Draft The Right Player At No. 1?

Unlike the 2023 Draft with Victor Wembanyama being the no-brainer at No. 1, there wasn't a clear-cut top prospect in this year's class. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick, but many draft analysts questioned whether that was the right choice.

Risacher will have a chance to prove those doubters wrong in Las Vegas. One way he can do that is by showcasing his ability to defend multiple positions. Defensive versatility is something that the Hawks desperately needed considering they've had one of the worst defenses in the league over the last few seasons.

His ability to make an immediate impact on the offensive end is also something Hawks fans are going to be looking for. That's typically a prerequisite for the No. 1 pick, but it's even more important that Risacher can quickly meet those expectations now that Dejounte Murray is in New Orleans.

Lastly, being the top overall pick is accompanied by so much pressure. How will he handle it? These next few games will be a solid indicator.

3. Who Will Have A Breakout Showing?

Every year, one player tends to steal the show at the NBA Summer League, and this year, Rob Dillingham seems poised to take that title.

The Timberwolves traded up with the Spurs to secure the Kentucky guard with the eighth overall pick. Last season, Dillingham earned SEC 6th Man of the Year and SEC All-Freshman honors, highlighting his immense potential.

Dillingham's speed, scoring ability, and playmaking skills make him a constant offensive threat. If he can improve his consistency and decision-making, he could emerge as a standout performer during the Summer League.

Rockets guard Cam Whitmore took home Summer League MVP honors last season and I think Dillingham is the perfect candidate to capture that title this year. There aren't odds for MVP out in the market quite yet, but they may become available after each team plays a game or two.

If they don't get posted, I would consider betting the Timberwolves to win the Summer League title at +1300 at DraftKings.