On the outside looking in, the majority of players participating in Summer League are fighting to find their way on an NBA roster. And every year, a small group win the fight. It’s an uphill battle that takes a unique amount of perseverance, but it can be done, and is done every July. Here are five guys from this year’s Summer League that look ready to join an NBA roster. 

Matt Costello

When it comes to centers who aren’t under contract, Matt Costello has pretty clearly stood out amongst the group. A former San Antonio Spur who spent last season in Italy, Costello has shined with the Detroit Pistons in Vegas. He’s outperformed nearly every player on their roster, with only Bruce Brown impressing more. He’s playing as a prototypical big man needs to in today’s league.

On offense, he excels running the pick-and-roll, as he’s able to rim-run and finish well. He’s had a nice synergy with Brown and Svi Mykhailiuk specifically out of the P&R, two NBA players. But he’s 71.1% true shooting percentage isn’t just based off his numbers from inside.

He’s not a very high volume 3-point shooter, but when he decides to shoot the long gun, he does it efficiently. He’s connected on 42.9% of his triples on just under two attempts per game. Averaging 15 points, eight rebounds, and one block per game.

Costello has proved he belongs on an NBA roster. Detroit still has a hole at the center spot behind Andre Drummond, with nearly every viable veteran backup off the market, Costello could be the guy for that role. 

Todd Withers

On a loaded Detroit Summer League team, Withers has made quite the impression on a team full of NBA players, just as Costello has. Coming off the bench, Withers has proven to be a capable scorer who can play either forward spot and defend at an adequate level. In just 18 minutes per game, Withers has knocked down 57.1% of his 3-pointers on over five attempts per game. When not making 3-pointers, he’s been busy throwing down dunks. 

Withers spent last season with the Grand Rapids Drive, where he started 36 games. Prior to that, he went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft after spending four years at Queens University. 

There’s a lot to like about a guy that in a low usage role can come in and perform as well as Withers has. For a team looking for forward depth, Withers, 23, should be a player under consideration for a final spot on a roster or a two-way contract. 

Jordan Caroline

Proving you belong on a roster in the most talented league in the world is tough, but try doing that on a pulled groin. Well, that’s what Carline is doing. In the first Summer League game of the year with the Lakers, he pulled his groin and made just one field goal. He didn’t look the part. But since, he’s been their best player.

Excluding their first game, he’s averaged 20.3 points per game on 53% shooting from the field. He’s knocked down over 57% of his 3-pointers on 4.6 attempts per game. He’s also made some exceptional passes, as highlighted by David Morrow of Def Pen Hoops: 

Caroline spent three seasons at Nevada, after transferring from Southern Illinois. There he became a cerebral of a scorer and by his senior season, became a reliable 36.8% 3-point shooter. He has to continue to show he can knock down shots from beyond the arc, as that is now a necessity for forwards in this league. His final season with the Wolfpack and his play in SL show he can do just that. But teams will want to continue to see it. 

He’s another guy that can play either forward spot at 6’7”, shoot the ball well, and has the size and athleticism to make an impact on the defensive end. He’s a high energy player, another characteristic that has value around the league. If the Lakers want more depth and youth on the wing, then holding onto Caroline may be wise. 

Kendrick Nunn

Technically, this is cheating. Nunn is under contract with the Heat. He signed for their final game of the season last year and is on a non-guaranteed deal. It seemed extremely unlikely that would be picked up before Summer League. Now it’d be a head-scratcher if Miami didn’t. While all eyes have been on rookie Tyler Herro, the 6’3” point guard has, in a way, stolen the spotlight from another prospect who has had a very promising couple of weeks. 

He’s averaged 22 points per game on 50.5% shooting from the field and 38.5% shooting from deep. His stats go further than just scoring. His dealing the basketball out, averaging 5.1 assists per game. He’s also corralled 4.3 rebounds on average. But can the Oakland University product defend? He made a key steal late in their last game against Minnesota, but Miami still lost. He has to prove he can play on that end consistently if he wants to stick. 

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Nunn’s been impressive but Miami has a slew of guards. If he becomes available expect another team to scoop him up, especially because he is just 23 years old and has room to grow as a guard. 

Josh Reaves

His stats don’t jump off the page, but Reaves has made enticing plays on both ends of the court in Vegas. Not a great 3-point shooter at Penn State, he’s made 36.8% in SL. For a 32% long ball shooter in college, that difference is important. It’s the difference between being good enough to be a guard at the NBA level or being a prospect in the G League for eternity. As a secondary distributor, he’s made heaps of great passes and reads.

Defensively, he’s using his athleticism and quick hands to wreak havoc and force turnovers. He’s averaged a steal and block per game. But again, the stats don't matter with him. It's the film that does. 

https://twitter.com/bobbykaralla/status/1148339570678874118

At 6’5” he provides value at both wing spots. Dallas, who he is playing for in SL, may not be the spot for him, as they have a giant logjam at both guard spots, because of course Rick Carlisle does, but a team thinner there should sign him. The Penn State product looks ready to contribute to a franchise right away.