The San Antonio Spurs signaled their intention of rebuilding by trading DeJounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks for a haul of future draft picks. While this may temper expectations for the regular season, it should provide excitement for Summer League action. The franchise is coming off an impressive draft in which they added three notable talents. They also have collected some high-level talent to give a true trial to during the Summer League stretch.
One disappointing storyline to note is that No. 9 overall pick Jeremy Sochan will not be suiting up in Vegas. The Baylor product recently tested positive for COVID-19 and has been unable to practice with the team. Rather than send him out there before having a chance to get acclimated, the Spurs elected to postpone his debut.
Regardless, the youthful core is certain to put on a show, and here are the four biggest reasons to tune in for the Spurs' Summer League games.
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Why Spurs fans should be hyped for 2022 NBA Las Vegas Summer League
4. Dominick Barlow
An interesting prospect with a lot of potential is Dominick Barlow, who agreed to a two-way contract after the draft. The 19-year-old took a unique path to the NBA by electing to play with Overtime Elite in its inaugural season. Barlow stands 6'9″ with a versatile play style. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks in his 25.2 minutes per game. While the unclear level of competition likely scared teams away, Barlow clearly has some intriguing tools.
Barlow has impressive ability in transition and 3-point potential. The New Jersey native is a rangy athlete who plays with a high motor.
ClutchPoints' Jack Winter offers up a more in-depth look at Barlow's career trajectory and outlook moving forward, which you can check out here.
3. Malaki Branham
After seemingly being a lock to be a lottery pick leading up to the draft, Malaki Branham slipped to the 20th pick, where the Spurs jumped at the opportunity to draft him. The Ohio State product averaged 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in his lone season in college. He also connected on 41.6% of his 3-point attempts. Branham was not expected to be a one-and-done guy, but he ultimately played himself into the opportunity.
The 19-year-old plays with a mature style and will be a calming influence on the Summer League roster. There is a great deal of competition for the position, but look for Branham to make an impact. He makes his presence felt both on and off the ball, so look for him to be counted on regularly.
2. Blake Wesley
Another high-potential player that the Spurs spent the 25th overall pick on is Blake Wesley. The Notre Dame product showed some impressive flashes in college, though he had some issues with consistency. The 19-year-old averaged 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals on the season. The 6'5″ guard has a style of play that should translate to the NBA, but he must improve his offensive efficiency. Wesley shot just 40.4% from the field and 30.3% on 3-point attempts in his lone season in college.
Summer League will be Wesley's first chance to show what he can do at the NBA level. Look for him to serve as the bucket-getter the Spurs are in search of and play a key role for San Antonio. It likely will take several years for him to put the tools together, but there is an intriguing upside for Wesley that will be fun to watch in his first taste of NBA action.
1. Josh Primo
San Antonio shocked some people by selecting Josh Primo with the 12th overall pick in last year's draft. Primo was the youngest player in the NBA last season and is still younger than most of the rookies in this year's class. The Alabama product played limited minutes last season and is still early in his career arc. In total, Primo averaged 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in his 19.3 minutes per game as a rookie.
Summer League will provide the 19-year-old with a solid opportunity to be a focal point for the team. His potential is still sky-high, and there is no reason to rush his development as the Spurs head into a rebuild. Look for Primo to show some positive signs of growth with his overall game. His NBA role is still to be determined as he was asked to initiate the offense last season in a way that he never did at Alabama. Now a year into his NBA development, Primo should begin to get more comfortable and find his stride.
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The list of intriguing talent on the Spurs' Summer League squad does not end with these names. Ky Bowman, Kyler Edwards, Jordan Hall, and Sasha Stefanovic all hold potential NBA appeal. Jordan Hall is a very intriguing talent who fills up the stat sheet. He is an impressive passer for his 6'7″ size who will likely play a role in running the offense. Sasha Stefanovic is a high-level shooter who could catch fire and positively impact his future. Ky Bowman showed some positive flashes with the Warriors in the 2020 season, but he has not been able to find traction in the NBA since. Look for each player to be giving it their all in an attempt to lock on to a roster spot.
While expectations may not be very high heading into the season, the Spurs are still moving in the right decision. Each of these young players will be attempting to prove why they should be a part of the team's long-term future.
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