The NBA summer league schedule was recently announced. The Charlotte Hornets will play group play in July. They will participate from July 7th to July 17th, and begin group play on the second day on July 8th against the Indiana Pacers. The summer league has grown in production and importance since its origin in the early 2000s. Fun fact, the Southern California Summer Pro League (founded in 1971) was the original summer league of future and current NBA players but was never officially run by the league.
In 2004, the NBA launched the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Initially, it was a six-day event featuring six teams, including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards. The event was held at the Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Since then, the event has added locations and teams and even a tournament-style format has been introduced. The tournament is as much about introducing more competitive basketball as it is for the entertainment value. Throughout the years, the league has become the spot for executives, scouts, and fans alike.
With the upcoming Summer League set to commence in about a month, it’s a good time to figure out its importance to teams like the Charlotte Hornets.
Player Development
The tournament consists of undrafted free agents, rookies, and second-year players, with a smattering of veterans looking to catch on to a team. So while a team’s star may need to improve on ball handling, fans will likely see the rookies selected in the draft and the younger players that could not get enough playing time during the previous season to improve.
Some good players that could benefit from such time on the Hornets include Kai Jones, Bryce McGowens, and perhaps even third-year player James Bouknight.
Executive Meet-ups
This isn’t exactly your regular professional convention. While there may not be karaoke and team-building, trust-fall exercises in a hotel ballroom, the Summer League acts as the perfect time for executives to talk to one another. Remember, the Las Vegas Summer League starts on July 7th. The day AFTER the moratorium in free agency begins. What a coincidence.
In short, in addition to being able to lounge around pools and hit up the strip for dinner, Las Vegas provides executives the ability to discuss players and personnel that may be on a team and could be an important procurement for another. It’s the sport’s greatest networking opportunity for those with good relationships and future assets. Sometimes deals get made in Vegas based as much off relationships as the quality of the deal.
That doesn’t just go for players, either. Executives and coaches are people too. And everyone is looking to advance in their careers. Those coaching vacancies that seem to get filled so quickly often started off as conversations in The Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Fan Engagement and Exposure
The NBA Summer League has gained popularity among basketball fans because it offers an exciting preview of the upcoming NBA season. Fans get a chance to see their favorite teams’ newly drafted players, prospects, and rising stars in action. It generates excitement, media coverage, and discussions within the basketball community, keeping the sport relevant during the offseason.
Summer league games are often televised, streamed online, and attended by enthusiastic fans, further increasing the exposure and visibility of the players and the league. And there’s a reason it’s in Vegas. It’s an event that has turned the NBA in a year-round sport. Basketball never sleeps, and even the off-season holds enough intrigue to keep fans and media constantly interested.