NBA Summer League results: an excellent top four, a Warriors star and a Cavaliers surprise.

The excitement before this year's NBA draft was very high. After about ten days in the Las Vegas summer heat, the players from this year's draft class have shown they are as good as expected.

AJ Dybantsa, who is now with the Washington Wizards, played like the number one pick in his first Summer League game. He played better than Darryn Peterson, who was drafted right after him. This was important because Peterson had won their previous games, and some people wondered if the Wizards had made the wrong choice with the first pick. However, Dybantsa showed his great potential, proving to be the skillful and athletic player he was expected to be. Peterson also had a good Summer League, especially in the California Classic, showing he can create his own shots well.

Cameron Boozer, chosen third overall and picked by many experts to go first, showed why he is so popular. He led his team to the NBA Summer League Final. He is not a flashy player, but more like a consistent performer. Boozer is a very smart, strong, and mature player who understands the game and can play at an NBA level.

Caleb Wilson, drafted fourth by the Chicago Bulls, might have increased his value the most during his time in Vegas. He scored an impressive 35 points, including seven three-pointers, in his first game. If his shooting remains consistent in the NBA, his athleticism, ability to create shots, and confidence could make him a cornerstone player who can help the Bulls improve.

Yaxel Lendeborg is ready for the NBA. Before becoming a Summer League champion and MVP with the Golden State Warriors, he won an NCAA championship. He is a winner. With his size and skills, and a confident personality, he likely would have been drafted higher if he wasn't 23 years old. His age is actually an advantage for a team like the Warriors who want to win now. Lendeborg is ready for the NBA immediately; he is smart and adaptable. He is also known for his confident quotes, saying after a close game, 'Man, their butts got tight. They puckered up, you know what I mean? Some of us are built for the moment and some aren't.'

The Los Angeles Lakers had an aggressive summer of player changes, with all five starters from their playoff series gone. Their biggest need was at the wing/forward position. While there are rumors about trades for other players, the Lakers' performance in Las Vegas showed promising signs that they might have suitable players already. Cameron Carr, drafted 24th, looked like a steal, showing athleticism and shooting ability that the Lakers have been missing. Adou Thiero, an athletic player drafted in 2025 who recovered from injury, also seemed to make good progress.

The biggest surprise was Arthur Kaluma, who played for the Lakers' G-League team last season. He scored 34 points in one game and seemed ready to become the 3 & D wing the Lakers need. Although the team did not reach the Summer League Final, they must be pleased with their young talent. They won four out of five games in Vegas, only losing to the Warriors in the semi-finals.

The Milwaukee Bucks are starting their rebuilding process well. After some difficult years, including a failed attempt to get Damian Lillard and a trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, hope has emerged with guard Brayden Burries. Drafted 10th overall, he was one of the standout players in Vegas, averaging 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He finished his impressive performance with a game-winning shot. Burries appears to be a promising player from a competitive guard class, scoring efficiently and showing composure.

Meleek Thomas might have been the best value pick of the draft. It is still uncertain if LeBron James will return for another season with the Cavaliers. However, there are positive signs for Cavs fans. Thomas, a guard from Arkansas, was the standout player of the week, averaging over 27 points per game with 50% shooting. He might find it hard to get significant playing time next year due to the team's financial commitments to Donovan Mitchell and potential plans to re-sign James Harden. Nevertheless, Thomas was often the best player on the court in his games, which is remarkable for a 34th overall pick. He looked comfortable playing against higher-drafted players and showed confidence. People might look back at the 2026 draft and wonder how Cleveland managed to get such a valuable player in the second round.