The 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has been a hub of activity, showcasing thrilling rookie debuts, young talents vying for roster spots, and extensive discussions about the major narratives heading into the new season. Notable moments included Cooper Flagg leading the Dallas Mavericks to victory against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the top pick`s inaugural game. Beyond these highlights, numerous other NBA stories are taking shape. Our team of NBA experts has been on the ground, engaging with front office personnel and scouts as the league`s future stars perform in anticipation of the 2025-26 NBA season. Key topics of conversation at the Summer League included Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and his unconventional kung fu training, the ongoing contract dispute between Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls, and more. What were the most discussed subjects at the tournament? Our insiders provide the full report.
Wembanyama Believes Kung Fu Training Was Beneficial
Victor Wembanyama was observed back in the U.S. on July 8, seen on an exercise bike during Luke Kornet`s press conference at the Spurs` facility. This appearance marked his return to basketball activities after a unique 10-day training period with monks at a Shaolin temple in Zhengzhou, China, followed by a trip to Japan that generated viral content. Fans should anticipate more unconventional training approaches from Wembanyama this season.
Individuals close to the French prodigy note his dedication to pushing physical and mental limits, which reportedly influenced his decision to train in China. Sources indicate that the 21-year-old sought a different training methodology to better understand his own capabilities. Wembanyama reportedly felt the training was highly beneficial, not only enhancing his mental focus but also teaching him better body positioning and range of movement through kung fu techniques, which could significantly aid his on-court performance.
Despite playing only 46 games last season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, Wembanyama still led the NBA with 176 blocked shots. He has made significant progress in his recovery, confirming his official clearance to return in an interview with a French newspaper on Monday. Wembanyama electrified the Summer League crowd on Thursday when he took his courtside seat alongside teammates Jeremy Sochan, De`Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie, and Keldon Johnson, with the Spurs already holding a commanding 20-point lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in their opening game, which San Antonio ultimately won 111-70.
Is a Lauri Markkanen Trade Next in the Utah Jazz’s Youth Movement?
This summer, the Utah Jazz have initiated a significant youth movement by trading veterans like Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Collin Sexton. This strategy aims to create development opportunities for their young draft picks and position the team for favorable lottery odds in the upcoming season. Consequently, many scouts and executives are speculating whether the Jazz, now under the leadership of new President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge, will next trade 28-year-old Lauri Markkanen as part of their rebuilding efforts.
However, sources indicate that trading Markkanen is not currently Utah`s plan. While he isn`t considered “untouchable,” the Jazz view the All-Star forward as a crucial component of their future core. Although Utah entertained offers for Markkanen last summer, none were compelling enough for CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik to finalize a deal. The Jazz instead signed Markkanen to a five-year, $238 million maximum renegotiation and extension on August 7, making him untradeable before last season`s deadline.
Despite the large contract, which isn`t a concern for Jazz owner Ryan Smith given the team`s roster of rookie deals, rival executives believe it could temper Markkanen`s theoretical trade value, especially after his career-low shooting season under difficult conditions. Any potential trade for Markkanen would require a substantial return, likely after he has regained his peak form to attract such offers. Nevertheless, Utah`s primary hope is for Markkanen to remain with the Jazz when the franchise eventually re-establishes itself as a competitive force.
Victor Oladipo Working Toward NBA Return
Victor Oladipo, who last played in an NBA game in 2023 for the Miami Heat, where he sustained a torn left patellar tendon in a playoff match against the Milwaukee Bucks, recently participated in a well-attended private workout in Las Vegas. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star demonstrated his skills in a full-court five-on-five session alongside other international professionals, drawing interest from numerous NBA and European teams.
Multiple team sources present at the workout reported being impressed, noting Oladipo`s excellent physical condition as he endeavors to make another NBA comeback. Drafted as the second overall pick in 2013, Oladipo enjoyed a career peak in 2018, earning NBA Most Improved Player, All-NBA Third Team, and All-Defensive Team honors. However, his promising trajectory was cut short by multiple subsequent knee injuries. While his extensive injury history has prolonged his potential return, there`s growing speculation within the league that he could secure a roster spot as teams finalize their depth charts for the upcoming season. Oladipo himself conveyed his optimism for a return in a social media post on Sunday.
What Does a Gap Year Look Like for the Indiana Pacers?
The recent Summer League game between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder prompted reflections on the thrilling NBA Finals that concluded just weeks prior, while also sparking questions about the Pacers` prospects for the 2025-26 season. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined due to an Achilles tear and Myles Turner departing as a free agent to the Bucks, Indiana faces a significant challenge in defending its Eastern Conference championship and rebuilding its roster.
Team sources indicate that the Pacers` offense next season is expected to undergo considerable changes, likely losing the high-octane pace Haliburton provided. Instead, the team plans to rely more on Andrew Nembhard`s strengths as a ball handler. While Nembhard may lack Haliburton`s explosive scoring ability, he is noted for his solid decision-making and precise timing in half-court sets. Additionally, some executives believe Bennedict Mathurin will need to step up and fill the scoring void left by these key absences, and his performance in a primary scoring role will be closely monitored throughout the season.
Negotiations Between Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey Are Ongoing
The contract impasse between Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls persists as the restricted free agent market remains sluggish. Giddey was observed in Las Vegas, where he reportedly had lunch with Bulls coach Billy Donovan, and Bulls executives were slated to meet with Giddey`s agent during the week. Despite positive discussions between the two parties, multiple sources anticipate that Giddey and the Bulls will ultimately reach a contract agreement.
However, Giddey has been reportedly seeking an annual salary around $30 million. Given the limited cap space available across the league this summer, Giddey`s options for alternative teams outside Chicago quickly diminished, providing the Bulls with leverage to negotiate a more team-friendly deal.
Executives Ring the Alarms on 2027 Draft
Following a strong 2026 draft class, NBA executives are expressing significant apprehension about the quality of talent expected in 2027. Despite just finishing evaluations for the 2025 draft, front offices are already intensely focused on the upcoming draft cycle, which includes a summer filled with FIBA tournaments, grassroots events, and college training camps.
The most forward-thinking executives are sounding alarms regarding the 2027 NBA Draft, which is anticipated to feature a particularly weak pool of rising high school seniors and international players born in 2007 and 2008. One veteran talent evaluator, with extensive experience in amateur scouting, commented, “This is one of the weakest high school classes I`ve seen in a long time. There might not be a single All-Star in this group, and beyond the top few prospects, I`m unsure how many NBA starters I see even among the other five-star recruits. While new players always emerge, by now we typically have a clear sense of the elite talents, and this class looks remarkably thin, even more so than the less-than-stellar 2024 NBA draft, which at least offered several high-end international prospects.”
College coaches at the Summer League echoed these concerns, noting their general disappointment with the lack of star power among top-ranked 2026 recruiting prospects. This sentiment is prompting colleges to consider being more aggressive in the transfer portal rather than heavily investing in five-star recruits who may not immediately impact at the collegiate level. This outlook could profoundly influence NBA teams` willingness to trade 2027 first-round picks and potentially diminish the incentive for teams to tank for a high draft selection in that year. It also places considerable pressure on rebuilding franchises to secure a top-five pick in the talent-rich 2026 draft, which boasts five potential All-Star or franchise-level players: high schoolers Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, Nate Ament, and Mikel Brown. NBA teams are hoping to discover new talent at the upcoming FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, an event that produced six first-round picks last year (and would have included a seventh international prospect, had his national team not been banned).
Yang Hansen Impresses
The Portland Trail Blazers` selection of 7-foot-2 center Yang Hansen with the No. 16 pick was one of the draft`s most surprising moves, especially as it came just a year after they drafted another 7-foot-2 center, Donovan Clingan, in the lottery. However, Hansen quickly showcased a skill set that impressed rival coaches and executives, particularly his exceptional passing ability.
While he is viewed as a developmental project, his initial performances quickly justified Portland`s interest. Some observers raised questions about his long-term adaptability to the NBA`s pace. Nevertheless, Hansen, who has expressed admiration for Nikola Jokic, is expected to be a focal point of interest heading into next season, as fans and analysts anticipate how quickly he can adjust to the league and how he will co-exist with Clingan on the court.
The Most Interesting Move to Watch
As the NBA explores potential expansion, with Las Vegas and Seattle emerging as strong candidates for new franchises, a significant consideration is which existing team might shift to the Eastern Conference to balance the conferences. While this realignment isn`t immediate, its potential impact feels heightened given the possible widening gap between the two conferences next season, partly due to injuries to Eastern Conference stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum.
One team executive recalled internal discussions from years past, concluding that their front office would be willing to trade “a lot” to move from the Western to the Eastern Conference. However, during a live “Hoop Collective” show in Las Vegas on Saturday, new Timberwolves co-owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez appeared hesitant to position their team as a prime candidate for such a move. Lore remarked, “I think you`ve got to be careful what you wish for. It will be what it will be.”
