The Las Vegas Summer League will begin on July 5th, and the Charlotte Hornets will be bringing a big punch of talent to the growing event.
Yeah, it’s sad that the 2018-19 season is over, but the NBA is really a nonstop kind of league. The 2019 NBA Draft was last Thursday, and now we can look forward to Summer League. The Charlotte Hornets will once again be participating in the Las Vegas Summer League, which is held at the Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion.
Among the Hornets that are expected to play in Summer League include Miles Bridges, Dwayne Bacon and Devonte’ Graham, along with the three newest additions to the team, PJ Washington, Cody Martin and Jalen McDaniels.
Charlotte’s two latest signings, Robert Franks and Josh Perkins, will also play in Summer League. Franks signed a two-way contract with the club after going undrafted out of Washington State. Perkins signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Hornets. He went undrafted out of Gonzaga.
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Clemson’s Elijah Thomas and LSU’s Kavell Bigby-Williams will also suit up for the Hornets in Las Vegas. I’ve been a big fan of Thomas since he was in high school, so I will personally be rooting for him. Bigby-Williams is an intriguing prospect that I think has a chance to play at the next level thanks to his shot blocking and rebounding.
Arnoldas Kulboka, Charlotte’s draft-and-stash from a year ago, will be playing in Summer League as well. Many fans are eager to see the improvements he has made since last season. It’s unclear when exactly he will join the Hornets full time, but it will be nice to get a look at him again this summer.
Malik Monk, who is going into his third year as a professional, is unlikely to play in Summer League. Monk is going into a make-or-break season with the Hornets, and playing another year in Summer League could have given him some momentum throughout the off-season.
Last season, Bridges showed off some of his huge upside with some jaw-dropping plays. With his rookie season complete and year one in the books, look for him to show off and be very aggressive during Summer League.
He improved so much in the second half of his rookie season. I think he has a chance to be an elite defender, but I was also impressed with his passing and decision making. It’s a small sample size, but If he can continue to improve at the rate he was going, Charlotte may be getting a serious weapon to (hopefully) pair next to Kemba Walker.
I’m also excited to see what some of these undrafted free agents can do during Summer League. More players will be added as we get closer to the event, but I think a guy like Bigby-Williams could make the 2019-20 roster if he impresses. Remember, the Hornets still have one two-way contract available, and they are in need of rim protection.
Over the past few years, Summer League has gotten more and more popular, and that will likely continue this year. Many will mainly focus on Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, but the Charlotte Hornets have a fun squad themselves and I know that I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.