Thunder Summer League: Salt Lake City Preview

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Oklahoma City Thunder, making moves through the draft, free agency and via trade. Although the draft just took place less than two weeks ago, rookies around the league are already gearing up for on-court action.

NBA Summer League is one of the most exciting times of the year, as young players look to showcase their skills in effort to make their dreams come true. Whether it’s the opportunity to sign a contract with an NBA or G League team, or simply proving they’re worthy of being a key part of the rotation with a team they’re already under contract with, this is an important time for every player involved.

While all 30 teams participate in Las Vegas for the largest of the NBA Summer League events, the Oklahoma City Thunder will compete in Salt Lake City before making that trip. The Thunder is part of a four-team circuit that will take place over the next four days. Alongside Oklahoma City, the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers round out the field at this event.

Who will be taking the floor for the Thunder in Salt Lake City, and what should we be watching for?

Schedule

Each team competing in Salt Lake City will play three games, one against each of the other participants. Three games in four nights is a condensed schedule, so expect rotations and minute allocation to vary night-to-night.

July 3: Utah Jazz | 8:00 PM on NBA TV

Utah selected three players in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Furthermore, the team is deep with young talent following the two blockbuster trades last summer including Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

July 5: Memphis Grizzlies | 6:00 PM on NBA TV

Memphis has one of the most loaded summer league rosters of any team across the NBA with returning players like Kenneth Lofton Jr., Jake LaRavia and David Roddy. The Grizzlies also brought in GG Jackson during last month’s draft, who could thrive in the style of play we see in these types of events.

July 6: Philadelphia 76ers | 6:00 PM on ESPN 2

To wrap up the Salt Lake City stint, Oklahoma City will take on the Sixers, who brought in three of the best undrafted free agents in Terquavion Smith, Ricky Council and Azuolas Tubelis. Their roster is headlined by Jaden Springer and Greg Brown III who have proven to be real NBA talents.

Roster

The Thunder’s summer league roster includes 17 players, with one more on the way. Oklahoma City’s newest lottery pick in Cason Wallace isn’t eligible to officially sign with the team until July 6 since he was part of a draft night trade. Whether he makes his debut in the third game of this event, or in Las Vegas, he will be a key addition to this already talented roster.

The team will be coached by David Akinyooye, along with his assisting staff of Grant Gibbs, Eric Maynor and Kameron Woods.

Key Players

Chet Holmgren

One of the favorites to win NBA Rookie of the Year in the upcoming season, this will be the first time Holmgren plays in a Thunder uniform since summer league last year.

Jalen Williams

Already emerging as a cornerstone of the franchise, Williams doesn’t have much to prove in a summer league setting but will get the reps as he prepares for a breakout second NBA season.

Tre Mann

With how many guards Oklahoma City has acquired since the end of last season, Mann has a lot to prove both in summer league and training camp if he wants to be part of the regular rotation when October rolls around.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

After battling with injuries last season, this feels like a pivotal time for Robinson-Earl, who needs to get back to knocking down triples consistently.

Jared Butler

He didn’t get many minutes for the Thunder at the end of last season given he was a late addition, but this will be a real chance for Butler to shine.

Zhaire Smith

The former No. 16 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Smith has never been able to find his footing in the league but has another opportunity this summer with OKC.

Ousmane Dieng

There’s a reason Dieng was selected in the lottery last summer, with Salt Lake City being the perfect stage to begin a breakout sophomore campaign.

Keyontae Johnson

Selected late in the second round and signed to a two-way contract, Johnson is extremely physical but also has touch as a shooter.

Jaylin Williams

Stepping in as the starting center last season due to injuries, Williams will have much more competition for minutes this season.

Adam Flagler

Although he went undrafted, Flagler absolutely has the talent to be a rotation guard at the NBA level with his championship pedigree.

Caleb McConnell

The offensive side of the ball needs a lot of work, but McConnell is one of the best defensive prospects in this upcoming rookie class.

Additional Notes

• Again, Cason Wallace is not on the official summer league roster as of yet due to being part of a draft night trade that won’t become official until the start of the new league year. He will be competing at some point over the week, but not initially.
• Keep an eye on Chet Holmgren’s minutes, as the injury he is returning from is significant. With how many games the Thunder will be playing over the next two weeks, the expectation should be that he may not play long stretches immediately and back-to-back games may be off limits.
• Jalen Williams is on the roster, but may not compete in Las Vegas. As such, catching him in action during the Salt Lane City circuit may be the only chance for fans.