2026 NBA Summer League Stock Report: Second-Year standouts and question marks from Vegas’ opening weekend

LAS VEGAS — The opening weekend of the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas was billed as a showcase for headliners like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer — and they delivered. But some of the most useful film has come from the players who aren’t new to any of this: the 2025 draft picks back for a second Summer League who are using these games to answer real questions about their NBA futures.

Unlike the rookies, these guys aren’t just trying to make first impressions — they’re trying to prove last year wasn’t the ceiling, or that last year wasn’t a fair read at all. Here’s who separated themselves through the opening weekend of Vegas play and who still has work to do.

Sophomore standouts

SG/SF Hugo Gonzalez, Boston Celtics

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The Jaylen Brown trade sent Boston’s second star to Philadelphia for Paul George and four picks, all but forcing the Celtics to evaluate their in-house wing depth. Gonzalez, who posted the best net rating of any rookie with real minutes last season, now finds himself as the “vet” on the Summer League roster.

In Vegas, he nearly posted a triple-double — 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists — in an overtime win over Toronto, then followed it up with a 14-point, 4-rebound, 4-assist effort against Charlotte. While he’s only shooting 23%, Gonzalez has consistently contributed in other areas, underscoring his readiness to seize a bigger role.

PF/C Joan Beringer, Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves need some help fortifying their backline, and Beringer looks ready.  He set the tone for Minnesota’s opening win with a dominant 18-point, 12-rebound, 4-block performance against New Orleans, flashing the two-way tools that made him a first-round pick a year ago. The 6-foot-11 Frenchman mixed lob dunks, jump hooks and Euro steps, and erased everything near the rim on defense. His athleticism and switchability were on full display, and he’ll surely be cracking the rotation as a backup to Rudy Gobert or Jaden McDaniels.

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PG Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets

After reportedly adding a dozen pounds of muscle, the Nets guard erupted for 23 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3…

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Author : Dan Titus

Publish date : 2026-07-13 14:47:00

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