RADIO
The NBA Summer League starts in earnest today with the first night of action in Las Vegas. The California Classic and Salt Lake City tournaments were just the beginning and only a handful of teams participated, but we will get to see the rest of the league in action in Vegas over the next 10 days.
The Summer League is a lot like the NBA preseason in that both are fun for DFS and it feels like there is an opportunity for those of us who want to dig a little deeper and do some extra research to find an edge. Instead of referring to myself as a degenerate for finding something to play while baseball is on break, I think of myself as an opportunist instead -- someone who is willing to put in the work to find an edge. I want to share what I have learned about these Summer League players, their minutes, their teams' rotations, and their productivity while on the court.
This article will highlight some DraftKings NBA Summer League daily fantasy options to consider for the four-game main slate that tips at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, July 12, 2024. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool.
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DraftKings Guards - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Jalen Pickett, SG - DEN ($7,200)
We often see sophomores break out as the big stars in Summer League, even while many are focused on the incoming rookies. Pickett didn't get much run with Denver in his rookie season but posted solid numbers in 17 G League games with averages of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 8.9 assists.
It’s an important Summer League for Jalen Pickett.
And all eyes are on Julian Strawther this season too. pic.twitter.com/XLdow9eLHm
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) July 8, 2024
Pickett was good for 30 DK points per game last year in Vegas and could improve upon that number this season. His ability to score, rebound, and pass gives him an excellent floor for DFS.
Johnny Davis, SG - WAS ($4,800)
All eyes will be on the matchup between the two top picks in this year's draft, but for DFS, I'm more interested in some cheaper stat-stuffers like Davis. Washington has three rookies from this year's draft but a roster that is loaded with other young talent as well.
Davis was a top-10 pick back in 2022 and I would think he and Jared Butler (drafted in 2021) would be some older players that Washington wants to get a look at here in the first few games before turning things over to the rookies and G Leaguers.
Davis can get buckets, averaging 16 points per game last year in Vegas and scoring nearly 30 DK points per contest.
Trevor Hudgins, PG - LAC ($6,200)
The Clippers don't appear to have many options at point guard other than Amari Bailey (who is more of a combo guard) and a few unproven rookies. Hudgins was good for 31 DK points per game in last year's Summer League but spent last season in France playing overseas. He has the most experience of anyone in this group of Clipper guards and my guess is that he gets the chance to lead the first unit tonight.
Keaton Wallace, PG/SG - ATL ($4,000)
The Hawks announced that their 2023 first-round pick, Kobe Bufkin, will miss the Summer League after injuring his shoulder in practice. That leaves G Leaguers Wallace and Jarkel Joiner as the lone point guards on the roster. Wallace was the much better player last year in the G League, averaging 13 points and six assists. He is dirt cheap in a great matchup against the Wizards.
Also Consider: Jacob Gilyard - PG ($6,700), Kira Lewis Jr. - PG ($6,300), Jared Butler - SG ($4,700)
DraftKings Forwards/Centers - NBA DFS Lineup Picks
Orlando Robinson, PF/C - HOU ($6,300)
Robinson spent the first two seasons of his career in Miami backing up Bam Adebayo and had some nice games as a pro when given the minutes. He's only one of two centers listed on the Houston Summer League roster and my guess is that he draws the start against the Lakers, who have been bleeding production to opponents this summer already.
Robinson smashed last season in the Summer League, posting 47 DK points per game over four contests with Miami. He seems like an easy play tonight at this price, assuming that he gets starter minutes alongside Houston's talented young guards, Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore.
Colin Castleton, SF/PF - LAL ($7,300)
The Lakers are the only team on this slate that we have any stats to go off from this year as they played three games in the California Classic already (losing all three pretty badly). One of the few bright spots has been Castleton, who also played well for the Lakers last year in Vegas, averaging 35.8 DK points in 28 minutes per game.
Castleton did his thing in the Bay 🏰
The @Lakers Two-Way filled up the stat sheet!
18 pts, 11 reb, 4 blks, 2 stl, 3 ast pic.twitter.com/Mbdb7g60Tp
— South Bay Lakers (@SouthBayLakers) July 11, 2024
Castleton can score, rebound, and is a sneaky good passer whose length can help him accumulate some blocks and steals in the process. He makes for a great cash play as he usually brings a really solid floor every game.
Tristan Vukcevic, PF/C - WAS ($5,200)
The masses might rush to play the No. 2 overall pick, Alex Sarr, but his $9,300 price tag feels a bit steep for a rookie in his debut. Meanwhile, Vukcevic is entering his second season and was productive last year in the Summer League as a rookie, posting 25 DK points in 23 minutes per game.
The European big man even saw some time for the Wizards at the end of the regular season and proved to be a solid per-minute fantasy player.
Noah Clowney, PF - BKN ($8,700)
The Brooklyn-Indiana game is going to be a really fun one to watch, but it also brings a lot of uncertainty with very few players with Summer League experience.
Targeting the Pacers with big men was a profitable strategy during the regular season and I think it could work well here, too. Clowney isn't cheap, but the young big man averaged 17 points, seven boards, and nearly two blocks per game in the G League before getting a chance to play for Brooklyn late in the season, too.
His per-36 minute numbers from 23 games in the NBA were 13 points, eight rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. I think he could post a massive double-double tonight with starters' minutes.
Also Consider: Jermaine Samuels Jr. - SF/PF ($5,000), Jalen Wilson - SF ($7,300), Jarace Walker - SF/PF ($8,900), Hunter Tyson - PF ($5,500)
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