The 2023 NBA Summer League circuit is ongoing, with 10 teams playing in the Salt Lake City Summer League and California Classic. However, after these two summer leagues conclude Thursday night, the basketball world will turn its attention to Las Vegas for the NBA 2K24 Summer League, which features all 30 teams and this year’s rookie class.
#1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is headlining for this year’s Summer League action in Las Vegas, as he will be looking to put on a show wearing a San Antonio Spurs uniform for the first time. Wembanyama is the betting favorite to win the tournament MVP at +900 on DraftKings Sportsbook over Brandon Miller (+1000) and Scoot Henderson (+1100). We can also not forget Amen Thompson (+1100), chosen fourth by the Rockets. Thompson, along with fellow rookie Cam Whitmore (+1700), should put together their fair share of points in the Summer League.
However, history tells us that choice no. 1 overall doesn’t often win tournament MVP in the NBA Summer League. Since 2006, only two No. 1s (Blake Griffin in ’09 and John Wall in ’10) won MVP, so bettors might be able to find value with other rookies/sophomores or potentially hit the field at +850 . Field may be the safest bet, as it’s hard to gauge which single player will be that outstanding star.
Below, we’ll break down the favorites to win the MVP tournament at the Las Vegas Summer League and identify a few sleepers to watch out for.
NBA Summer League 2023 Tournament MVP Probability
All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Player
Chance
Campo
+850
Victor Wembanyama
+900
Brandon Miller
+1000
Amen Thompson
+1100
Chet Holmgren
+1100
Scoot Henderson
+1100
Ausar Thompson
+1300
Cam Whitmore
+1700
Giarace Walker
+2000
Taylor Hendricks
+2200
Cason Wallace
+2200
Antonio Nero
+2200
Giordano Hawkins
+2500
Jaime Jacques
+2500
Jaden Hardy
+3000
Kenneth Lofton
+3000
Keyone Giorgio
+3000
Bilal Coulibaly
+3000
Cris Murray
+3500
Kobe Buffkin
+3500
Gradey Dick
+3500
Derek Lively
+3500
Jalen Hood-Schifino
+4000
Brandin Podziemski
+4000
Emoni Bates
+4500
Jet Howard
+4500
Jaden Ivy
+5000
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
+5000
Marco Sasser
+5000
Ben Sheppard
+5000
NBA Summer League 2023 Tournament MVP Odds: Preferred
Victor Wembanyama (+900). To no one’s surprise, Wembanyama is the heavy favorite to win the tournament MVP in the Summer League. Wemby is coming off an impressive 2022-23 season with Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A League. The French phenom averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3 blocks per game.
The 19-year-old No. 1 pick will have an opportunity to make a statement in his Summer League debut Friday against Brandon Miller and the Hornets. It remains to be seen how many games Wembanyama will play in Las Vegas after playing 44 contests this season with 92 Mets. However, if the 7-foot-4 center dominates the games he’s active in, he’ll make a strong case for winning MVP. At the same time, bettors might be inclined to take the +850 field with the caveat that Wembanyama doesn’t play much in Vegas.
Brandon Miller (+1000). Miller made his NBA Summer League debut Monday night against the Spurs in the California Classic. The former University of Alabama star led Charlotte with 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 3-of-7 three-pointers. He also added five rebounds and three assists. It was a good start for the young forward, who didn’t play well in his last college game in the NCAA Tournament.
With the Hornets playing in the California Classic, it will be interesting to see how many games Miller plays in Las Vegas. However, Miller has a chance to put on a show against Wembanyama on Friday and then face Scoot Henderson and the Blazers on July 11. However, since 2006, only one No. 2 won the Summer League MVP (Lonzo Ball in ’17).
NBA Summer League 2023 Tournament MVP Probability: Sleepers
Jaden Hardy (+3000). If bettors are looking for a sophomore who could potentially clinch the NBA Summer League, look no further than Hardy. The former NBA G League Ignite guard played well in his rookie season with Dallas, scoring 8.8 points per game on 43.8% shooting from the field and 40.4% from beyond the arc.
However, the Mavericks have big plans for the 21-year-old guard, as Summer League coach Jared Dudley said Hardy will hit 18-20 shooting per game, according to the team’s website. If so, we should expect great goalscoring performances from him. In his Summer League debut last year, Hardy scored 28 points against the Bulls. With a year of NBA and G-League experience under his belt, he should be ready to take the next step.
Emoni Bates (+4500). The NBA Summer League was made for a player like Bates, who is a certified bucket and can score at a high level. Bates has had a lot of hype from HS and his play has been compared to Kevin Durant. However, he fell short of high expectations in his two seasons in Memphis and Eastern Michigan. Bates averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season at EMU, but shot just 40.5% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
Despite not having a best two seasons in college, Bates has a chance to make some noise as a second-round pick with the Cavaliers. The Cavs have a solid summer league team that includes Sam Merrill, Sharife Cooper and Isaiah Mobley who have NBA and NBA G-League experience. It might be difficult for Bates to distinguish himself early on, but if he can bring the same scoring ability he displayed at EMU, the sky is the limit for the 19-year-old winger.
2023-07-08 05:42:47
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