NBA Summer League 2012: Most Intriguing Players to Watch in Las Vegas

All you basketball junkies, pick-and-roll enthusiasts and excited fans raring to see your young draft picks in action—it's summer league time.

While the average fan probably has no idea that the youngsters and journeymen on your team are in action in Las Vegas, you're ready to bust out the scouting reports and take a look at some of the prospects your team has recently added.

For those of you interested in all of the NBA's teams, I've selected a few players you should absolutely be keeping an eye out for in Sin City.

Swish.

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal certainly had a solid start to the summer league, scoring 22 points in his debut on Friday and showing both a perimeter game and the ability to attack the basket.

The key for Beal will be showing off his well-rounded game, playing solid defense, smart offense and varying his attack from the perimeter to driving toward the hoop. While he's probably already a lock to start for the team this season, he doesn't want to do anything to cost himself a spot in the starting five.

With as much talent as he has, I highly doubt he'll do so.

Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers

Was he worth the fourth overall pick? Will he work nicely next to Kyrie Irving? Will he end up being a starter, or is he best utilized coming off the bench as he did for Syracuse?

These questions won't be definitively answered at the summer league—especially since Irving won't be participating—but coaches and fans will get a better idea of what Dion Waiters brings to the table in Las Vegas.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

There is no player who will face more scrutiny in the summer league than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. And there is no rookie who will have a bigger responsibility for his team than MKG as well.

Anthony Davis has Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon. Bradley Beal has John Wall. Dion Waiters has Kyrie Irving. Thomas Robinson has a slew of talented players surrounding him.

But who does MKG have? Kemba Walker?

Come on.

MKG is this draft class' most versatile player, and he'll have to wear many hats for the Charlotte Bobcats from day one. The summer league will be an interesting look at how those hats fit.

Thomas Robinson, Sacremento Kings

The Kings seriously lucked out when Thomas Robinson fell to them with the fifth pick, giving them a natural power forward to pair with promising young center DeMarcus Cousins.

And while Cousins pairs elite talent and unlimited potential with some attitude issues, Robinson overcomes any deficiencies in his game with an on-court tenacity and an excellent work ethic.

They should be the perfect pair.

But in the summer league, the focus will be on Robinson. Will he do the little things well? Will he score in a variety of ways, or will he settle for jump shots? How will he look on the defensive end?

I wouldn't bet against him.

The Rockets Trio

Jeremy Lamb, Terrence Jones and Royce White represent the future for the Houston Rockets. Or the Orlando Magic. Or some combination of the two.

Who knows anymore?

But any possible Dwight Howard trades aside, studying the development of the Rockets' three first-round picks will be an intriguing storyline at this year's summer league.

Lamb and Jones have looked solid early, with Lamb scoring a game-high 26 points against the Washington Wizards in the team's second summer league game. White has struggled a bit, but he'll need to adjust after being the man and having the offense run through him at Iowa State.

One way or another, these three players are the future for Houston. Either in its future, or future compensation for Dwight Howard, that is.

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