Every Wednesday we take you beyond the Toronto Raptors, around the NBA, to catch-up on the most important news and articles from around the web.
Summer League Standouts:
DeAndre Ayton vs Marvin Bagley was the showdown everyone came to watch. However, it was Harry Giles who stole the show with a monstrous 17-point performance in his Summer League debut. You may remember Giles from his time as the number one basketball prospect in the United States during his senior year of high school. Injuries have cost him the past two seasons, but if he can stay healthy, Kings fans have reason for excitement.
During Summer League, first round picks typically get the majority of attention. However, Keta Bates Diop of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been playing spectacular. After dropping 24 on the Toronto Raptors, Diop has continued his great play.
For every standout performance there is an equal dud. Though it is still early, Atlanta’s Trae Young has struggled. During both the Utah and Las Vegas Summer Leagues Young has shown ability as a playmaker, but has struggled mightily from the field.
More from Raptors Rapture
- Scottie Barnes talks Raptors expectations after bumpy 2022-23
- Raptors’ Dennis Schroder completes Cinderella story, wins FIBA World Cup with Germany
- 3 players Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with at trade deadline
- NBA insider praises Raptors’ hiring of “star” Darko Rajakovic
- Raptors fans will love Markquis Nowell’s insane confidence on Instagram
Free Agent Signings:
After signing Ersan Ilysova with their mid-level exception, the Milwaukee Bucks continued to improve their frontcourt shooting by signing Brook Lopez to a one-year $3.8 million deal.
In what seemed like an inevitable transaction, the Phoenix Suns signed Devin Booker to a max-contract extension. The financials of the deal will not kick in until the 2019-2020 season, but it was nice for both sides to lock in their immediate future.
Despite losing Luc Mbah a Moute to the Los Angeles Clippers and Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets appear to be playing hard-ball with restricted free-agent Clint Capela. According to Yahoo, the two sides remain far apart.
Best national articles from around the web:
From Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes: NBA Free-Agency Roundup: Are Rockets the Biggest FA Losers in the West?
A roundtable from ESPN: 5-on-5 debate: Assessing an East no longer under King James’ rule
From the Ringer’s Pablo Ugetti and Haley O’Shaughnessy: NBA Rookie Stock Watch: Summer League Weekend Edition.
Next: Best draft picks in Toronto Raptors History
Make sure to checkout ever Wednesday as we go search across the internet for the best stories from around the entire NBA.