Dybantsa, Peterson Headline 31 Summer League Games in Las Vegas

Q: Beyond the top draft picks, which undrafted player is most likely to earn a surprise NBA contract in Vegas?

Quadir Copeland of the Rockets looks like the best bet to turn Las Vegas into a surprise NBA-contract moment. The strongest case is the combination of pedigree and role projection. In the sourced draft analysis, Copeland was described as the highest-ranked undrafted free agent on that evaluator’s board, at No. 42 overall, which is well above typical undrafted territory. At 6-foot-5 with a near 6-foot-11 wingspan, he offers the kind of size, playmaking and defensive versatility teams hunt for in Summer League. What makes Vegas especially important for him is that his swing skill is clear: shooting. Copeland’s career three-point percentage was a concern, but he reportedly shot a much better 39.7 percent last season, even if on modest volume. If that improvement holds over a few Summer League games, teams can more easily picture him as a switchable rotation guard rather than just an intriguing athlete. He also enters with more momentum than many undrafted players because he already has a two-way deal with Houston, putting him one step closer to a standard NBA contract than players merely chasing Exhibit 10 invites. Summer League often rewards players who can defend multiple spots, move the ball and avoid looking overwhelmed; Copeland’s profile fits that template. Other undrafted names to watch include Nick Boyd, Cade Tyson and RJ Davis, but Copeland has the clearest blend of upside, evaluators’ support and a realistic path to forcing a team’s hand in Vegas.

Q: Will AJ Dybantsa's fit with Trae Young give him the edge over rival Darryn Peterson in their pro debut?

Probably not by itself. Dybantsa may be in the better long-term NBA setup if Washington’s Trae Young acquisition is real, because a high-level creator would ease his shot-creation burden and let him lean into his strengths as a 6-foot-9 scoring wing and defender. But that advantage is more relevant to his rookie season and development arc than to one Summer League debut. In Las Vegas, the edge is more likely to come from role and readiness. Dybantsa’s game is considered ideal for Summer League: he is a high-usage scorer, dangerous in transition, capable of creating off the dribble and getting to the line, and Washington is expected to give him freedom. That could produce the louder box score. Peterson, though, may be the more polished guard right now. He already posted 28 points in his Salt Lake City Summer League debut, and evaluators view him as an explosive three-level scorer with strong shot-making and NBA-ready physical tools. He also has a history of getting the better of Dybantsa in prior head-to-head meetings, even if injuries affected some of those games. So if the question is about immediate Summer League impact, Dybantsa’s presumed fit with Trae Young is not the deciding factor. His edge, if he has one, comes from his size, scoring freedom and a style built for this setting. Peterson still looks fully capable of matching or outshining him in the debut because he appears slightly more game-ready as an on-ball scorer.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 8

July 9-19 in Las Vegas, the NBA’s summer league opens with No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa’s Wizards facing No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson’s Jazz on Thursday night.
That matchup tops the schedule because the two have a running rivalry—Peterson scored 61 in one high-school meeting and also edged Dybantsa 18-17 in college.
Opening weekend is the main draw, with 31 games from Thursday through Sunday before many top rookies and second-year players are expected to be shut down.
Other highlighted games include Bulls-Grizzlies featuring No. 3 Cameron Boozer and No. 4 Caleb Wilson, plus Kings-Clippers with lead guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler.
Charlotte, Dallas, Orlando, Phoenix and the Clippers are singled out as the deepest rosters, with the event ending in a July 19 title game after last year’s Hornets championship.