Fantasy basketball: Who increased their value most during summer league? - ESPN

The 2026 NBA draft class was purported to be one of the best in history. Which meant this Las Vegas summer league was always going to be a test: Could this class really live up to the overwhelming hype?

Shockingly, it appears the answer is yes.

Unlike most seasons, in which one or two rookies stand head and shoulders above the rest, in this Vegas summer league there were elite performances from rookies throughout the lottery, at the least, with the promise that there probably will be rookies from later in the draft — or even undrafted — who will end up contributing significantly in their first season.

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I saw firsthand what the next generation of NBA superstars looked like in their first professional steps. I saw their size, speed, athleticism, and maybe most importantly, their energy as they moved around the court. Also, being in Vegas, I heard and was part of conversations with other scouts, analysts and NBA front office members as they watched the action. I was able to get the perspective of others on these players, and how they believe what they were seeing in Vegas would translate to the NBA for the upcoming season.

And, it being Vegas, I serendipitously got to witness some truly behind-the-scenes stuff. Like walking through the airport next to a representative for one of the rookies, listening to them talk about the player's motivation level to really prove something at this summer league. Or, maybe the most fun was that I got to play blackjack with the father of one of the players — sharing our stories even while enjoying ourselves at the casino.

Only in Vegas!

As always, I find attending the summer league to be