Fresh off an eventful NBA Draft cycle, the league’s new rookies and fringe young talents lace ’em up for July exhibition ball. Two regional round robins begin on Saturday afternoon, serving as an official opener for the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League. Up in the San Francisco Bay, the California Classic stars in-state powerhouses in the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. Down in the mountains, the Salt Lake City Summer League features the retooling Utah Jazz and defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The energies are mellow, and summer vibes seep through these runs, but each game is important to the players fighting for roster spots.
How to watch NBA Summer League (pre-Vegas)
- California Classic: Chase Center — San Francisco
- Salt Lake City League: M. Huntsman Center — Salt Lake City
- Dates: July 5-8
- Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.
California Classic viewing guide
Spurs vs. Heat
4:30 p.m., Sat.
NBA TV
FanDuel Sports
Networks (regional)
Lakers vs. Warriors
6:30 p.m., Sat.
ESPN2
NBCS Bay Area (regional)
Lakers vs. Heat
4:30 p.m., Sun.
NBA TV
FDSN DTC (regional)
Spurs vs. Warriors
6:30 p.m., Sun.
NBA TV
NBCS Bay Area +
FDSN Southwest (regional)
Heat vs. Warriors
7 p.m., Tues.
ESPN3 (national)
NBCS Bay Area +
FDSN DTC (regional)
Lakers vs. Spurs
10 p.m., Tues.
ESPN (national)
FDSN Southwest (regional)
Salt Lake City viewing guide
Grizzlies vs. Thunder
7 p.m., Sat.
ESPNU (national)
FanDuel Sports
Networks (regional)
76ers vs. Jazz
9 p.m., Sat.
ESPN (national)
KJZZ +
NBCS Philadelphia (regional)
76ers vs. Thunder
7 p.m., Mon.
ESPN (national)
FDSN Oklahoma +
NBCS Philadelphia (regional)
Grizzlies vs. Jazz
9 p.m., Mon.
NBA TV (national)
KJZZ, FDSN South Extra
Grizzlies vs. 76ers
7 p.m., Tues.
NBA TV (national)
NBCS Philadelphia
+ FDSN South Extra
Thunder vs. Jazz
9 p.m., Tues.
NBA TV (national)
KJZZ, FDSN Oklahoma
All broadcasts on ESPN networks are available on ESPN+. All broadcasts on NBA TV are available on the NBA League Pass app.
The Warriors are the official hosts of this year’s California Classic, and dark horse prospects will get to play on the floor that Stephen Curry christened. Golden State’s Summer League squad mostly comprises rookies and undrafted free agents. There’s a pair of fourth-year hopefuls, though. Isaiah Mobley, brother of two-time All-Defensive teamer Evan, has played spot minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers. He spent most of last season with the G League’s Delaware Blue Coats. The other “veteran” is Marques Bolden, who’s had cups of coffee with the Cavs, Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets.
Two stars of 2025 March Madness are with the Warriors, too. Houston All-American L.J. Cryer signed an Exhibit 10 contract last week, while national champion Will Richard brings his 3-and-D skills from Florida.
Bronny James said he’d participate in the Lakers’ Summer League plans, though he didn’t specify if that included the California Classic. After a dreadful start in Vegas last year, the son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer found his touch from beyond the arc, and scored 25 points in his final two Summer League games.
The Miami Heat seem to be taking this summer seriously. Three rostered players (Keshad Johnson, Pelle Larsson and Kel’el Ware) are all slated for Summer League. Kasparas Jakučionis, the 20th pick in June’s draft, will get early reps as well. Other notable Heat players include two-way Michigan center Vladislav Goldin and, believe it or not, 2020 lottery pick Kira Lewis Jr.
San Antonio has No. 2 pick Dylan Harper rostered for Summer League play. He’ll skip the California Classic, though, to rest up from a minor groin injury. Here’s a trip: the Spurs also have Jameer Nelson Jr., progeny of the former All-Star point guard. Where has the time gone?
In Salt Lake City, Utah is expected to start Ace Bailey, the fifth selection and Harper’s Rutgers running mate. Bailey’s first few days with the franchise have been a bit strange, so it will be refreshing to see him actually hoop this weekend. The Jazz also have some NCAA Tournament headliners listed here. Walter Clayton Jr. lifted his Florida Gators to their national championship, and the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player was traded to Utah right after Washington selected him at No. 18.
Philadelphia fields third pick VJ Edgecombe, plus consensus First-Team All-American Johni Broome from Auburn. The 19-year-old Edgecombe has a smooth jumper, sky-high hops and strong defensive instincts, while the 6-foot-9 Broome is a nimble finisher around the rim. The Sixers’ most experienced Summer Leaguer is Jalen Hood-Schifino, a two-year NBA vet who appeared in 13 games for last year’s cursed Philly campaign.
Memphis’ summer look is in flux, as Cedric Coward is nursing a shoulder issue. Either way, Coward’s story is worth investing in. He rose from D-III to the afterthought Big Sky conference to 11th pick in the 2025 Draft.
Oklahoma City can certainly afford to phone it in after winning its maiden NBA championship a few weeks ago. OKC’s Summer League will center around Serbian ballhandler Nikola Topić, last year’s No. 12 pick who was shelved by an ACL tear.
NBA Summer League MVPs
2006 — Randy Foye (Minnesota)
2007 — Nate Robinson (New York
2008 — Jerryd Bayless (Portland)
2009 — Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)
2010 — John Wall (Washington)
- No Summer League in 2011 (lockout)
2012 — Damian Lillard (Portland) and Josh Selby (Memphis)
2013 — Jonas Valančiūnas (Toronto)
2014 — Glen Rice Jr. (Washington)
2015 — Kyle Anderson (San Antonio)
2016 — Tyus Jones (Minnesota)
2017 — Lonzo Ball (LA Lakers)
2018 — Josh Hart (LA Lakers)
2019 — Brandon Clarke (Memphis)
- No Summer League in 2020 (pandemic)
2021 — Davion Mitchell (Sacramento) and Cam Thomas (Brooklyn)
2022 — Keegan Murray (Sacramento)
2023 — Cam Whitmore (Houston)
2024 — Jalen Wilson (Brooklyn)
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(Photo of Bronny James: Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports)