Free-Agent NBA Summer League Stars Looking to Steal a Roster Spot

One thing I love about the NBA Summer League is that players who don't normally stick out get a chance to star. Some of these men come into this league as free agents, and if they perform well enough in the summer, they could get a spot on the roster entering the preseason.

This year's Summer League is particularly interesting, as one-time draft bust Adam Morrison (pictured) is currently playing for a spot on the Los Angeles Clippers. The same goes for various undrafted rookies, some of whom have looked quite impressive.

That said, this small handful of players could very well find themselves on an NBA team once the regular season starts.

No. 5: Keith Benson

During his college days at Oakland University, Benson was a good scoring center who blocked shots with authority. Yet despite being 6'11" and 230 pounds, his game was raw on the offensive level, and he made little impact in his rookie season.

Benson is back with the team that drafted him, the Atlanta Hawks. In the Summer League this year, he is leading the way with 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. He also is carefully picking his shots, shooting 59 percent from the floor.

Atlanta has a crowded frontcourt, and there is no guarantee Benson will make the team, but his performance this summer will at least make coach Larry Drew consider him.

No. 4: Jon Scheyer

We all remember Scheyer as the top scorer and sharpshooter from a Duke University team that won a national championship in 2010, but his game was too one-sided for him to be drafted. Plus, he wasn't particularly athletic.

Scheyer spent some time in the D-League and in Israel, and currently is on the Philadelphia 76ers Summer League roster. He isn't getting many minutes, just 16.6 per game, but he is making the most of them. The former Blue Devil is averaging just 5.8 points, but is shooting 40 percent from long range.

Given how the Sixers could use some depth off the bench, don't be surprised if he ends up with a roster spot.

No. 3: Al Thornton

Thornton has four NBA seasons under his belt and has proven that he can produce on that level. Yet, he spent last year playing in Puerto Rico and is now fighting for a roster spot playing for the Nets in the Summer League.

Thus far, he's making a strong case for a spot. The former Florida State Seminole is averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Thornton isn't exactly a top athlete, but his 6'8", 235-pound frame allows him to play both forward positions with relative ease. Seeing as how the Nets really need some depth coming off the bench, particularly in the frontcourt, it can't hurt to give him a shot.

No. 2: Scott Machado

Machado led the league in passing last year and also played great defense, but he still went undrafted.  Yet, the point guard-hungry Houston Rockets signed him and sent him to Las Vegas to play in the Summer League.

The former Iona Gael has only averaged 5.5 assists per game thus far, but what stands out the most is his defense. He's averaging 1.8 steals per game, and considering how the two stats I just mentioned are mostly from coming off the bench, the Rockets should really consider hanging onto him as a backup for Jeremy Lin.

No. 1: Adam Morrison

After getting little opportunities in the Brooklyn Nets' Summer League, Morrison has now signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has only appeared in one game thus far, but his numbers look impressive.

In his sole game thus far, Morrison scored 11 points and and pulled down five rebounds. He is definitely a scorer first, but Morrison also looks to be in better shape than he was earlier in his career. It's clear that he wants to have a developed game.

If Morrison can keep up these performances, perhaps coach Vinny Del Negro will find a spot for him on the bench.