NBA Summer League 2012: Vegas League Stars Guaranteed to Shine This Summer

If you can't wait till the start of the 2012-13 season to get a first glimpse at some of the top-tier talent in this year's NBA draft, you are in luck. The NBA Summer League is here.

In many ways, this is the most crucial stretch for the NBA's soon-to-be rookies. This is where they must prove that their much discussed areas of concern have been drastically improved since the last time they stepped foot onto a college court. This is where they begin to show how easily they can adapt from the NCAA to the NBA.

And if they fail, there's always more time to develop. Unfortunately, though, that development will be conducted in the D-League.

In celebration of the Las Vegas Summer League season, which kicks off on July 13, here's a look at some of the stars of tomorrow who will begin making names for themselves at the Cox Pavilion and at the Thomas & Mack Center.

You can see the full Vegas Summer League schedule here. 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats
No. 2 Overall Pick

Some NBA fans are more excited to see MKG take on the NBA than they are about seeing Anthony Davis light it up. The No. 2 overall pick may have lurked in Davis' shadow a bit at Kentucky, but don't expect him to do the same on a Bobcats team that desperately needs a young player who isn't afraid to take on a leadership role.

Kidd-Gilchrist is that player. Not only does he have the physical makings of an NBA superstar—he's a 6'8", 233-pound small forward with excellent defensive skills and a proficiency for attacking the rim—but he has the perfect personality to start giving this team a solid identity. He's the kind of player the Bobcats can really start to build around.

Even though his spot on the Bobcats roster is all but assured, what can he work on during the summer league season? His jumper.

Tony Wroten, Memphis Grizzlies
No. 25 Overall Pick

One of the most interesting players to watch this summer is going to be Wroten, who wowed the NCAA world with his passing skills in his one season at Washington but also established himself as someone who needs to improve significantly as a ball-handler if he wants to get and keep a job at the next level.

Physically, Wroten has it all. He's the perfect size (6'6", 203 pounds), and he's versatile enough to play either the 1 or the 2, so the Grizzlies can experiment with him a little bit this summer. He has the potential to be one of the most exciting young players on this team, but Memphis is going to be looking for him to make significant improvements in terms of his control and his shot selection before it commits a roster spot to him.

In Wroten's case, the raw ability is there. It's just a matter of fixing some pretty significant problems with his game so he can fulfill his potential.

Another note on Wroten: According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, he's a player who's had some pretty big team chemistry problems in the past, so it'll be interesting to see how he gels with his new team this summer.

Jeremy Lamb, Houston Rockets
No. 12 Overall Pick

The Rockets famously spent the days leading up to the draft stocking up on picks in the hopes of making a blockbuster trade. Obviously that didn't happen, and the first draftee they ended up with was Lamb, who projected to be one of the best shooters in the NCAA last season but struggled to lead a Huskies offense that badly missed Kemba Walker.

This summer is Lamb's chance to prove that he can cope with the pressure and step up offensively when he needs to. Like Wroten, he has all the physical tools: He has size at 6'5", he's super athletic and he has an impressive 6'9" wingspan, so you can imagine how exciting it's going to be to watch him on defense. Like so many of the other guards in this year's draft class, though, an inability to stay consistent offensively has been his kryptonite.

Lamb's defense is already there. If he can prove to be offensively indispensable from all over the court, he's all but guaranteed a spot on the Rockets roster.