Orlando Summer League Preview: Rosters and Trios to Watch

The 2014 NBA Orlando Summer League will start on Saturday, June 5th. The Summer League is a place for rookies and sophomores to compete with players who are trying to earn a roster spot with an NBA team. The defending champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be present, among with the following teams.

Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Detroit Pistons
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers

Rosters:

Boston Celtics
Anosike, O.D. F/C
Babb, Chris G/F
Bertans, Dairis G
Coursey, Daniel F/C
Iverson, Colton C
Jackson, Edwin G
Johnson, Chris G/F
Moser, Mike F
Oliver, Devin F 
Olynyk, Kelly F
Pressey, Phil G
Smart, Marcus G
Young, James G

 

Brooklyn Nets

Brown, Markel G

Casey, Kyle F

Clark, Dan C 

Greene, Donte F 

Gutierrez, Jorge G

Jefferson, Cory F

Jenkins, Michael G

Kromah, Lasan F

Minnerath, Nick F

Omic, Alen C

Plumlee, Mason F/C

Roberson, John G

Southwell, Shane G

Summers, DaJuan F 

Teague, Marquis G

Thames, Xavier G 

Thomas, Adonis G

 

Detroit Pistons

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope  G

Brian Cook F/C  

Spencer Dinwiddie G (injured, will not participate)

Justin Harper F 

Jordan Heath F 

Damion James F 

DeAndre Liggins G

David Lighty G

Ian Miller G

Tony Mitchell F

Tim Ohlbrecht C

Peyton Siva G

Tristan Spurlock F

Markel Starks G

Chris Watford F

 

Houston Rockets

Bilan, Miro C

Black, Tarik F/C

Brown, Jabari G

Canaan, Isaiah G

Carson, Jahii G

Covington, Robert F

Crawford, Chris G

Johnson, Nick G

Kramer, Chris G

Leunen, Maarty F

Marshall, Jermaine G

Mitchell, Akil F

Solomon, Richard F

Udofia, Chris F

 

Indiana Pacers

Allen, Lavoy C

Atkins, Eric G

Bost, Dee G

Carmichael, Jackie F

Gaines, Frank G

Hill, Solomon F

Jones, DeQuan F

Jones, Kevin F

Leslie, C.J. F

Mason Jr., Roger G

Nunnally, James F

Odum, Jake G

Onuaku, Arinze C

Rojas, Sadiel G

Sloan, Donald G

Stone, Tyler F

 

Memphis Grizzlies

Adams, Jordan G

Cobbs, Justin G

Cooley, Jack F/C

Famous, Jarrid C

Franklin, Jamaal G

Giffey, Niels G/F

Jackson, Joe G

Lucas, Kalin G

Stokes, Jarnell F/C

Thompson, Deon F

Timma, Janis F/G

Ubiles, Edwin G/F

White, Okaro F

White, Terrico G

Wilbekin, Scottie G

 

Miami Heat

Aska, Ivan F

Barthel, Danilo F

Benimon, Jerrelle F

Boungou-Colo, Nobel F

Dawkins, Andre G

Drew, Larry G

Ennis, James F

Hall, Langston G

Hamilton, Justin C

Holman, Eli F/C

Honeycutt, Tyler F

Johnson, Tyler G

McKinney-Jones, Trey G

Napier, Shabazz G

 

Oklahoma City Thunder

Adams, Steven C

Christon, Semaj G

Edwin, Fuquan G/F

Huestis, Josh F

Jerrett, Grant F

Jones, Perry F

Lamb, Jeremy G

Lewis, Marcus F

Little, Mario G

McGary, Mitch F

Roberson, Andre F

Smith, Nolan G

Stockton, Michael G

Sutton, Maurice C

 

Orlando Magic

Batts, Kadeem F

Bouldin, Matt G

Curry, Seth G

Dedmon, Dewayne C

Dixon-Tatum, Ashaun C

English, Kim G

Gordon, Aaron F

Hancock, Luke F

Jones, Cameron G

Magette, Josh G

Marble, Devyn G/F

Oladipo, Victor G

Osby, Romero F

Payton, Elfrid G

Perry, Kendrick G

Rubit, Augustine F/C

Suggs, Scott G

Macklin, Vernon F

Williams, Darrius G

 

Philadelphia 76ers

Bader, Travis G

Craft, Aaron G

Daniel, Ed F

Ejim, Melvin F

Grant, Jerami F

Hagins, Jamelle F

Jackson, Pierre G

Noel, Nerlens C

Roberts Jr., Ronald F

Sampson, JaKarr G

Sykes, Isaiah G

Thompson, Hollis F

Ware, Casper G

Zanna, Talib F

Trios to Watch:

Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart (G), James Young (G), and Chris Babb (G/F)

Smart (36) and Young (13) were top twenty draft picks in this year's NBA Draft. Babb was an undrafted free agent in the 2013 draft. But the Celtics' perimeter will be close to unstoppable. Smart is a defensive hound and excellent at getting to the paint. Young is a great athlete and a nice shooter. Babb isn't much but a shooter, but he is a great one. These three will most likely lead a Celtic squad with Kelly Olynyk and Colton Iverson in the frontcourt, along with Phil Pressey and Mike Moser off of the bench.

Brooklyn Nets: Markel Brown (G), Mason Plumlee (F/C), and Cory Jefferson (F)

This trio is two second-round picks from this year and first round pick from last year, but they all have something in common: A 36"+ vertical jump. Markel Brown was one of the best dunkers in college basketball history at Oklahoma State. Plumlee (above) is pretty much just used for dunking, but he can surprise people sometimes. Cory Jefferson once injured his elbow when he caught an alley-oop at Baylor. These players are top-flight athletes and will provide Brooklyn with excitement, and hopefully wins.

Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G), Peyton Siva (G), and Tony Mitchell (F)

This trio was the 2013 Detroit Pistons draft class. They are the best three players on the Summer League roster for the Pistons this year. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) is a 3-and-D shooting guard who played well in the NBA last year, despite limited playing time. Siva (34) struggled some early in the year, but played well to close out the year. Siva is a defensive stud, but his offensive game could use work. Mitchell (9) is a great athlete, but he wasn't able to make the Pistons rotation last year. They will be able to play well for the Pistons in Orlando.

Houston Rockets: Jabari Brown (G), Jahii Carson (G), and Nick Johnson (G)

This is a three-guard trio of players with chips on their shoulders. Jabari Brown and Jahii Carson (1) were undrafted free agents that deserved to be drafted. They will be playing for roster spots in the Summer League. Nick Johnson (13) was drafted by the Rockets, but he is not guaranteed a spot. Brown is a sweet shooter who led the SEC in scoring last year at Missouri. Jahii Carson is a 5'11" athlete who is somewhat undisciplined shooter. Nick Johnson is a spectacular athlete who developed an offensive game over three years at Arizona. These three will make a huge impact on the Rockets team.

Memphis Grizzlies: Jordan Adams (G), Jamaal Franklin (G/F), and Jarnell Stokes (F)

This team features Memphis' recent draft acquisitions over the past two years. Adams (1) and Stokes (2) were acquired this year, and Franklin was acquired last year. Adams, a former UCLA standout, is an exceptional shooter that the Grizzlies have desperately needed. Stokes is a bully inside, but neither Stokes nor Adams are great athletes. That's were Jamaal Franklin comes in. The sophomore shooting guard slipped in last years draft because of shooting concerns, but his athleticism is the reason he got picked. These three compliment each other well, and they should make noise in Orlando.

Miami Heat: Shabazz Napier (G), James Ennis (G/F), and Justin Hamilton (C)

In the words of Bill Simmons, I think teams need to stop helping out the Heat. The Hornets basically handed Shabazz Napier (13) to the Miami Heat. Napier is a two-time NCAA champion point guard who will lead this team in the Summer League. He luckily has some help in Ennis and Hamilton. Ennis is a sizable athlete who can shoot, but he spent last season overseas. Hamilton has been in the Heat system for a few years, but never really got a shot in the league. These three will shine in the Summer League this week.

Indiana Pacers: Dee Bost (G), Solomon Hill (G/F), and DeQuan Jones (G/F)

These three players are under-the-radar studs. Bost, Hill (9), and Jones were all excellent college players, and they have shone glimpses at the pro level. Bost, a former Mississippi State star, played well in the D-League last season and can find himself on an NBA roster soon. Hill has a contract with the Pacers, and he showed he is not only a defensive stud, but a good athlete and shooter. DeQuan Jones is one of the best athletes in the Orlando Summer League, and he will show it soon. The Pacers will not rely on any of these guys to make an impact in the winter, but they will now.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams (F), Jeremy Lamb (G), and Perry Jones (F)

These three players have a solid 5 years of NBA experience under their belt. Adams, Lamb, and Jones (3) all have potential through the roof. Adams is one of the most persistent players in the NBA, and although he may not have the skill level, he definitely will get his points and rebounds. Lamb is an excellent shooter and athlete. Jones has not reached his potential, but if he does, watch out. All three of these players are rotation NBA players, and they will light up Orlando.

Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo (G), Elfrid Payton (G), and Aaron Gordon (F)

Ladies and gentlemen, here are your Orlando Summer League favorites. This trio is three top-10 picks, in the 2nd-pick Oladipo, the 4th-pick Gordon (00), and 10th-pick Payton (4). Oladipo finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting last year, and for good reason. He improved his shooting touch while using his athleticism and defensive persistence to annoy opponents. Gordon is a star athlete, but a dreadful shooter. He can help defensively and on the boards. A common trend here is defense, and that is were Payton continues the trend. He isn't a great shooter either, but he is young and has room for improvement. The Magic are the favorite to win in Orlando, and these three are why.

Philadelphia 76ers: Nerlens Noel (C), Pierre Jackson (G), and Melvin Ejim (F)

None of the players in this trio have played in NBA game, and one is a first-round pick, one is a second-round pick, and one is an undrafted free agent. Nerlens Noel is the first-round pick. He was the first pick last year, but didn't play in a single game last year because of injuries. He is a jumping jack and shot blocker who fills up the paint. Second-round pick Pierre Jackson spent last year in the D-League/overseas, but there was no reason he shouldn't have played. He lit up the D-League but never earned a call-up from the Pelicans, who traded him to Philly on draft night. Melvin Ejim is an undrafted free agent from Iowa State, where he once dropped 48 points in a game. Ejim is a good shooter and a jumping jack, but the concern is size. He is small for a power forward at 6'6". He may be able to overcome it, but that is unpredictable. The 76ers have a great future with them, and they will show it in Orlando.