Sometimes summer league is the best time of the year for basketball fans of rebuilding teams. Coming off a season in which they had the fourth best odds to get the first overall pick, the Hawks head into summer league with perhaps the most exciting roster in the NBA.
There probably is not a player in the league that NBA fans want to see more in summer league than Trae Young. the 19-year old point guard out of Oklahoma has is fair share of supporters, but that love comes with just as many doubters. Everyone wants to know how his small frame, Steph Curry like jump shot and questionable fashion decisions will pan out in the NBA.
Trae Young about to be drafted by UPS with that outfit. #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/GydESITd2x
— Justin Cyr (@J_Boogie218) June 21, 2018
Summer League will be our first chance to jump to conclusions.
Young will be joined by the two other pieces of the Hawks 2018 first-round trio, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman. Huerter, the 19th overall selection, has a game that resembles Klay Thompson. A willing defender with a great jump shot and deceptive athleticism, potential is there for him to turn into a nice shooting guard in the NBA. Spellman was considered by many as a reach in the first round, but his winning playing style must have been attractive to the Hawks.
The roster also includes all three draft picks from 2017: John Collins, Tyler Dorsey and Alpha Kaba. Summer league is where the hype train behind John Collins began, and he turned out to be one of the best rookies in last year’s class earning 2nd team All-Rookie honors. Dorsey also spent last season on the Hawks roster and played in 56 games averaging 7.2 points. Depending on his continuing development, he could turn out to be a nice find with the 41st overall pick. Kaba was the final pick of last year’s draft and spent last season playing overseas in France. It is going to be tough for him to find a roster spot, and it is likely he will continue to play overseas, but the Hawks desperately need more front court help.
Two other second year players join the summer league roster in Antonius Cleveland and Jaylen Morris. Undrafted rookies Junior Robinson, Brandon Sampson, Robert Johnson, Jock Landale, Zach LeDay, Zach Smith, and Jaylen Adams complete the roster.