Though the NBA Summer League is an exhibition at heart, there’s truth to its importance to older, more established players. For rookies, the tournament is a playground for them to adjust to the NBA game. Conversely, we expect older players with more NBA experience to dominate here.
When second or third-year players don’t thrive at this competition level, that calls for some concern. Veterans dominating in Las Vegas doesn’t guarantee eventual NBA success, but it’s always positive to see players looking too potent for this level of competition.
I was fortunate enough to watch several impressive veteran performances at this year’s NBA Summer League opening weekend. Let’s discuss a few non-rookies who have helped themselves so far this summer.
Drew Timme, C, Brooklyn Nets
This was my fourth year in a row making the trip to summer league and I can’t remember a more dominant performance in any of those seasons than Drew Timme against Washington. The Gonzaga product eviscerated the Wizards en route to 30 points (13-24), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal.
Timme turned back the clock to his time at Gonzaga, where he bludgeoned opposing defenders with his footwork, touch and skill in the paint. He’s a dominant post scorer with the craft to find angles to score from anywhere near the hoop. Timme attempted seven triples, sinking two of them, and drove to the basket effectively throughout the contest.
DREW TIMME 30-PIECE 🔥
30 PTS
13-24 FGM
5 REB
3 AST pic.twitter.com/f5HhHksTNi— NBA (@NBA) July 14, 2025
He struggled at times to score over the lengthy Alex Sarr, who logged a staggering 8 blocks against the Nets on Sunday. Still, Timme’s performance reflects his sky-high offensive skill level, which could help him carve out a rotation spot in Brooklyn this season.
Terrence Shannon Jr., F, Minnesota Timberwolves
After playing some real rotation minutes in the Western Conference Finals, Shannon Jr. quickly proved himself far too talented for Summer League competition. Across two games in Vegas, Shannon averaged 22 points (42.4% shooting), 6.5 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Shannon Jr.’s passing especially impressed; his positive assist tallies even undersell how many shots he created for his teammates. Blazing speed, especially in the open floor, makes him a nightmare to guard when attacking the hoop. When defenses collapsed to Shannon Jr., he calmly moved the ball around, recording just three turnovers in two games.
Terrence Shannon Jr.’s passing, especially in transition, has been eye-catching. To play has fast as he does and still have the ability to remain in control enough to make smart passes has to be incredibly difficult, regardless of the competition you’re facing. pic.twitter.com/taBQayOMX5
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) July 13, 2025
It was encouraging to watch Shannon Jr. confidently attempt 3-pointers, taking 23 triples (30.4%) over two games. The 24-year-old sophomore dominated Summer League opponents so far as expected, but it’s a positive sign to see continued refinement to his offensive skill package.
David Jones-Garcia, G, San Antonio Spurs
Jones-Garcia overshadowed his high-profile rookie teammates in Vegas this weekend, ranking third in scoring across the tournament field. He’s averaging 24.3 points while shooting an impressive 58.7% from the field, knocking down a scorching 63.2% of his 3-point attempts.
When Jones-Garcia touched the ball, it often felt inevitable that he’d find some way to score. The southpaw guard blends his tight handle, great strength and touch to score at all levels. His funky driving rhythm appeared to throw off defenders regularly, letting Jones convert shots in the paint, especially.
He contributes to San Antonio’s stout defense; it was easy to watch his communication and intensity defending the ball up close in person. Jones-Garcia has looked like the best guard in Summer League so far and is setting himself up nicely to earn some NBA minutes this season.
AJ Lawson, G, Toronto Raptors
Lawson looked like the best player on the floor against the Magic in a contest stacked with recent first-round picks and promising young prospects. He weaponized his athleticism to score in transition and off the ball, dropping 21 points on just 5 shots while making 9-13 shots from the line.
While Lawson wasn’t a focal point for Toronto’s offense, his instinctual scoring and incessant driving aggression helped him produce. Usually known for his defensive prowess, Lawson tallied 2 blocks and 2 steals off the bench. His energy and speed were palpable from our seats, playing at a different speed than much of his competition.
For a Toronto team that featured six draft picks from the last two years, Lawson played as well as anyone else. He’s bounced around the league for quite some time now and dominating the summer league could help him find a home as a rangy 3-and-D wing athlete.
