NBA Summer League 2012: Most Intriguing Player to Watch for Each of the Teams

The NBA Summer League has never been quite so popular. This year, 24 teams will be represented from July 13 through July 22 in Las Vegas as clubs look to get a better feel for how their youth are developing.

Each of the 2012 lottery picks—except for the injured Anthony Davis—will participate, so the competition will at the very least show off some of the league's most highly-touted incoming stars.

It will also be an opportunity for some of the 2011 draft class to shine, as well as a chance for lesser-known players to make a name for themselves.

From undrafted college standouts to relatively unknown international talent, these games will feature some names you know and some names you don't.

Here are a few to expect some good things from.

Atlanta Hawks – John Jenkins, SG

The Hawks may have reached a bit by taking Jenkins with the 23rd pick, but he could prove otherwise soon enough. The 6'4" guard out of Vanderbilt may be his draft class' purest shooter, and he could provide some immediate help to a Hawks' backcourt that will be missing Joe Johnson for the first time in a long time.

Boston Celtics – Jared Sullinger, PF

Chances are we won't know just how problematic Sullinger's back is for some time, but we'll at least get an early look at his impressive post skills.

The bruising power forward could provide some valuable depth for Boston's front line, but the organization may also be counting on him as a long-term replacement for the irreplaceable Kevin Garnett.

Brooklyn Nets – Adam Morrison, SF

Morrison certainly isn't the best player on Brooklyn's summer squad. That title already belongs to rising sophomore MarShon Brooks, who had an impressive rookie campaign that virtually no one saw coming. 

The 6'8" Morrison was drafted third-overall in 2006 by the Charlotte Bobcats, but struggled to find a home in the NBA despite a fantastic collegiate career in Gonzaga. Morrison spent the last few months overseas, and he didn't find much of a fit there either.

Now a reclamation project with the Nets, this may be the 27-year-old's last chance to prove he belongs in the NBA.

Charlotte Bobcats – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF

The Bobcats have a lot hinging on Kidd-Gilchrist, but it's hard to imagine him disappointing them. Fans in Charlotte will be excited to see this guy bring his work ethic and tenacity to the floor—something he's likely to begin doing this summer.

They'll also want to keep an eye on his jump-shot, a long weakness in an otherwise perfectly well-rounded game. The moment he becomes a legitimate perimeter threat will be the moment we realize there's a potential superstar on our hands.

Chicago Bulls – Marquis Teague, PG

We know what Teague was able to do for Kentucky, but there's still no telling what he'll be able to do at the NBA level. With Derrick Rose facing a lengthy recovery from knee surgery, Teague certainly might have an opportunity to prove himself early on.

If he stands out during Summer League competition, his chances of putting together an impressive rookie campaign will look all the better.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Dion Waiters, SG

The Cavaliers have a number of young studs on their Summer League roster, including 2012 Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and his fellow 2011 draftee Tristan Thompson. The biggest question mark of them all, however, will be Waiters.

Just how NBA-ready this guy is remains one of the more hotly contested debates when it comes to Cleveland's prospects for next season. He's got the quickness and strength to make an immediate impact driving to the rim, but he also spent a lot of his time at Syracuse doing so against opposing benches.

His upside isn't in much doubt, but how quickly his talent will translate to the pros remains an open question.

Dallas Mavericks – Jared Cunningham, SG

The Mavericks could use some backcourt help this year, but it's hard to tell whether Cunningham will be the next Jason Terry or another undersized scorer who never finds a fit in the NBA.

Though he's not much of a passer and struggles with turning the ball over, there's no doubt this kid can score. If he makes some noise this summer, he could get more playing time this season than you might otherwise expect.

Denver Nuggets – Kenneth Faried, PF

Faried had an excellent rookie season with the Nuggets, and he could continue to turn heads next season. He's a hard worker and explosive to boot—a perfect fit for the Nuggets' up-tempo playing style.

If Faried can further develop his offensive game, he'll be even more useful. That could be crucial given that the Nuggets and also play Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler at the 4 in a pinch. If Faried wants to keep his minutes, he'll need to start taking the next step.

Detroit Pistons – Andre Drummond, C

The scouting report on Drummond is pretty clear. He's got worlds of physical ability and upside, but much of his potential remains entirely unrealized. 

He'll probably have plenty of opportunities to establish himself on Detroit's thin front line, but that could change if he gets off to a rough start and starts looking like the second coming of Hasheem Thabeet. 

Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson, SG

Yes, Harrison Barnes will be an intriguing guy to watch, but Klay Thompson's development is worth keeping an eye on. With Monta Ellis gone to the Milwaukee Bucks, Thompson is the presumptive starting shooting guard.

How well he handles that role will say a great deal about the Warriors' prospects for a postseason appearance this year. If Thompson remains a lights-out shooter and diversifies his scoring ability, good things will come to Golden State.

Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lamb, SG

The Rockets have a number of guys worth watching beyond Lamb, including first-round picks Terrence Jones and Royce White. Given the wealth of youth on this roster, the performances we see at the Summer League games could be a strong indication of what's to come this year in Houston—assuming all those young guys remain with the club.

However, of all the youngsters, Lamb may be most ready to make an immediate impact. He's a fantastic shooter and could replace veteran guard Kevin Martin sooner rather than later.

Indiana Pacers – Lance Stephenson, PG/SG

No, Stephenson isn't the guy to watch just because he might start taunting the other team. He's also just 21 years old and has the potential to excel as a 6'5" combo-guard thanks to his physical tools and skill set.

He's also shown flashes of brilliance and could show more if given the opportunity. We'll see more of that opportunity this summer than we will behind Darren Collison, George Hill and Paul George.

Los Angeles Clippers – Eric Bledsoe, PG

With Mo Williams traded to the Utah Jazz, the Clippers will have a greater need for help in the backcourt this season. Bledsoe proved he can play in Los Angeles' second-round series against the San Antonio Spurs.

He's quick, strong and can score from inside and outside alike. More importantly, he's a pest on defense, and the Clippers need that as much as anything else.

Los Angeles Lakers – Devin Ebanks, SF

Ebanks started at small forward for the Lakers when the the 2011-12 season got underway, but that experiment didn't last long. He's a great athlete with plenty of length, but his game is still raw by Lakers standards.

Any chance he has to show he can hang with the big boys is a chance on which he has to cash in.

Memphis Grizzlies – Josh Shelby, PG

With the Grizzlies taking Tony Wroten Jr. in this summer's draft, Shelby's future is as uncertain as ever. He played sparingly in his rookie season, and he'll have to fight for minutes behind Mike Conley.

With O.J. Mayo almost certainly on his way out, Shelby and Wroten both may get some minutes at the 2, so they'll both be looking to prove they're versatile backcourt options this July.

Miami Heat – Norris Cole, PG

There were times last season when Norris Cole looked like he could challenge Mario Chalmers for the starting spot. That obviously changed come the postseason, but there's no question the Heat will keep their eye on how Cole evolves.

For now, he's not much more than a streaky scorer who can play some aggressive defense. If he becomes more than that, Chalmers will need to watch his back once again.

Milwaukee Bucks – Larry Sanders, F/C

Sanders is a super-athletic shot-blocker who has the opportunity to turn some heads now that Andrew Bogut is no longer with the Bucks. However, he'll have to earn those minutes and so far he hasn't.

With Samuel Dalembert and Drew Gooden in the fold for next season, Sanders' opportunities are anything but guaranteed. He's a liability on offense, and that makes it tough to keep him in games for long stretches.

Minnesota Timberwolves – William Buford, SG

Buford did a lot of good things for Ohio State, but he didn't grab enough attention to be drafted in June. Nevertheless, undrafted players can do some good things. Just ask the San Antonio Spurs' Gary Neal.

Given Minnesota's need for help at shooting guard, a good first-impression from Buford could go a long way.

New Orleans Hornets – Austin Rivers, SG

We know Austin Rivers has worlds of talent, but we have no idea what to expect at the NBA level. He believes in himself, but everyone else's opinions are pretty mixed.

With Anthony Davis sidelined by a sprained ankle, Rivers will be the most exciting thing to watch on New Orleans' summer roster. He may be one of the most exciting things to watch during the regular season, too.

New York Knicks – Toney Douglas, PG

Douglas has shown flashes of brilliance in his short career, but he's been anything but consistent. He was all but forgotten in last season's backcourt rotation, thanks in no small part to the emergence of Jeremy Lin.

Things won't get any easier for Douglas with Jason Kidd added to the backcourt, so he'll have to take full advantage of his Summer League time in the spotlight.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Perry Jones III, PF

Jones could be the steal of the draft, but he's got a few things to prove. Most importantly, he has to demonstrate a willingness to work hard and remain fully engaged throughout the duration of a game. 

The Thunder could certainly use another big man behind Serge Ibaka, but Jones won't get a second look if he remains so inconsistent and spacey. Showing the Thunder that he's taking his chances seriously might get him some serious minutes on a squad that's still a lot younger than they seem.

Orlando Magic – Andrew Nicholson, PF

It's no secret that Orlando needs help inside with the impending departure of Dwight Howard. Nicholson is more of a forward than center, but he's got great hands, plenty of length and a consistently effective outside shot.

Given that the Magic are on the verge of a massive rebuilding project, Nicholson could find himself playing a fairly prominent role this year. 

Philadelphia 76ers – Maurice Harkless, PF

Harkless has the kind of physical tools that remind you of why everyone thought Marvin Williams was so special. Chances are he'll turn into a pretty good small forward, something the 76ers could certainly use alongside young pieces like Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young.

Phoenix Suns – Markieff Morris, PF

The Suns gave Morris a chance to show his stuff last season, and he wasn't half bad. He's got excellent range for a big man, but that appears to be all he has at the moment.

Morris needs to develop an inside and mid-range game or he'll never amount to more than a role player. 

Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard, PG

While it looks like the Blazers have entered some kind of rebuilding project, the truth is this team has plenty of talent in LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews. If Lillard proves he can make contributions as a rookie, this club will be a lot better than most people think.

On the other hand, if it takes him some time to move acclimate himself to competition that's a bit tougher than what he faced at Weber St., this rebuilding project may be a slightly more protracted affair.

Sacramento Kings – Jimmer Fredette, PG/SG

Fredette was the 10th overall pick in 2011, but he found himself heavily outplayed by second-rounder Isaiah Thomas, who eventually won the starting point guard position. Though Fredette came in as something of a fan favorite, he won't stay that way for long if he continues to come up short for the Kings.

Look for him to start this summer working as hard as anyone. Thomas Robinson will be the best player on this Summer League roster, but Fredette will be the one with a chip on his shoulder.

San Antonio Spurs – Marcus Denmon, SG

Denmon is the prototypical undersized shooting guard, and he almost didn't get drafted because of it. That said, he was a standout player at Missouri and everyone else in the Big 12 knew it. He's also a fantastic shooter, and the Spurs have been known to make the most of those kind of guys.

Toronto Raptors – Tu Holloway, PG

Like Denmon, Holloway wasn't drafted despite an impressive collegiate career at Xavier. He may struggle to earn anything beyond some chances with a D-League team early on, but this July will be his first chance to prove teams made a mistake by passing on him in June.

Utah Jazz – Alec Burks, SG

Enes Kanter will also be worth a look, but Burks looked to be the more NBA-ready rookie in 2011-12. He's a solid slasher with an improved mid-range game, and the Jazz definitely need the help in the backcourt.

Whereas Utah is stocked with guys who can patrol the paint, it's in dire need of a perimeter scorer. The 12th overall pick in 2011 got limited playing time in his rookie year, but he made the most of it and should get a more extended look this time around. 

Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal, SG

Beal is more than just intriguing. He could be the first of his 2012 draft class to make it to an All-Star game. He can shoot from anywhere and he's in the perfect position to do so alongside John Wall in a much-improved Wizards lineup.

Look for Beal to score early and often this summer, leaving no doubt that he was the right guy to take with the third-overall pick.