NBA Player News

Buzelis will have better days shooting the basketball, but the Bulls had to be pleased with his aggressiveness on the offensive end of the floor. Does DeMar DeRozan’s exit mean the rookie will be a starter from Day One? That remains to be seen. With DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond all moving on, it’s clear (on paper) that the Bulls are closer to rebuilding than contending for a playoff spot. Buzelis’ defensive activity was also displayed on Saturday, as he tallied two steals and consistently challenged shots and passing lanes.

After playing 14 minutes on Thursday, one day after agreeing to a two-way deal, Barlow started on Saturday and was productive in his 30 minutes on the court. He finished one rebound shy of a double-double and contributed three steals on a good evening for the newest 76ers player. Barlow helped pick up the slack for Adem Bona (4/6/2/2/3), who offered minimal value outside the defensive categories. Philadelphia also signed Jabari Walker to a two-way deal this summer, giving them two low-risk options to help fortify the frontcourt rotation.

With VJ Edgecombe sidelined by a thumb injury, Mintz is one of the 76ers who have benefited from the available playing time. He finished Saturday’s defeat with a game-high 24 points but missed out on 26 when Ryan Kalkbrenner rejected his jumper in the final seconds. Between his finish to Philadelphia’s games in Salt Lake City and Saturday’s performance, Mintz is working hard to show he’s worthy of a training camp invitation, and possibly a two-way contract.

Anthony, who was traded to the Grizzlies as part of the deal that sent Desmond Bane to Orlando, clearly was not going to be in Memphis’ plans next season. He’s reportedly agreed to a contract buyout and has already found his next home once he clears waivers. Anthony is reportedly headed to Milwaukee, which needs additional depth on the perimeter. Even if Damian Lillard were not waived, the Bucks would be in a difficult spot since he’s recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. For Anthony, moving to Milwaukee allows him to earn rotation minutes, but his game is not exactly fantasy-friendly.

After exiting Thursday’s game during the first half with a head injury, Furphy was back on the court Saturday afternoon. He was cold from deep, missing all six of his three-point attempts, but the 2024 second-round pick was able to make some things happen off the dribble. Furphy appeared in 50 games as a rookie but only averaged 7.6 minutes per appearance, so these games in Las Vegas are a big deal for him. He’ll look to remedy the three-point shooting woes when the Pacers face Chicago on Monday.

The Pacers have only used two of their three two-way contracts for the 2025-26 season, and Freeman is among the players in Las Vegas competing for the final spot. His performance against the Thunder was a step in the right direction, with the former Kent State standout recording a double-double on 80 percent shooting from the field. Freeman played in 22 games for the Pacers as a rookie, and he isn’t someone worth considering in fantasy drafts. But, a good run in Las Vegas could get him another two-way deal or an Exhibit 10 that would guarantee him a training camp invite.

Mitchell was able to earn rotation minutes as a rookie before a toe injury in January sidelined him for over three months. For that reason, the time taking on a prominent role for Oklahoma City’s summer league team is invaluable as Mitchell heads into his second season. And with the Thunder signing him to a three-year deal in late June, it’s clear the franchise believes in the 2024 second-round pick. Now, Mitchell must clean up the turnovers after committing seven on Saturday. But it’s fair to wonder if he’s shown the Thunder enough in Las Vegas to be shut down for the rest of the event.

After firing up 18 shots on Thursday, Topić appeared more focused on making plays for others Saturday afternoon. The rookie dished out a game-high 10 assists while committing just three turnovers as Oklahoma City rolled to a 21-point victory. Having missed the 2024-25 season as he rehabbed from a torn ACL, Topić will look to earn opportunities off the bench with the reigning NBA champions. While he may not offer great value in redraft leagues, Topić will be well worth selecting in dynasty start-ups.

Barnhizer, whom the Thunder have signed to a two-way contract, nearly made history on Saturday. His six steals were two shy of the NBA summer league record. The second-round pick out of Northwestern also recorded a blocked shot and was highly efficient as a scorer. Given the current state of Oklahoma City’s roster, Barnhizer may not have many opportunities to contribute as a rookie. However, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has been willing to give guys a chance, and the franchise has long done an excellent job of developing young talent.

After struggling with his shot and failing to score in the second half of Thursday’s summer league debut, Flagg looked more like himself on Saturday. He spent less time on the ball as a playmaker against the Spurs, resulting in the rookie only recording one assist. However, Flagg got to his spots as a scorer, shooting 50 percent from the field and attempting 13 free throws. The question is whether Dallas has seen enough in Las Vegas from its top draft pick. Dallas faces Charlotte on Monday, with Flagg potentially having the opportunity to play against college teammate Kon Knueppel.

Due to a groin injury, Harper did not play in San Antonio’s first four games of the summer. The second overall pick in last month’s draft was cleared to debut on Saturday, albeit under a restriction of 20 minutes. Harper logged 17 minutes against top overall pick Cooper Flagg and provided solid value across the board. The former Rutgers star missed all four of his three-point attempts, but that can be chalked up to rust rather than him being a suspect shooter. Harper will join a crowded perimeter rotation next season, which may limit his immediate fantasy prospects. However, the offensive versatility should make him a threat at multiple positions as he shakes off the rust.