Last week, I wrote about players in their first four years in the NBA who caught my eye at summer league; these are players who are either on rookie scale contracts or other low-level deals given to second-round picks and undrafted free agents. These "First Four" players (who are effectively playing on "subsidized" deals) represent great value, and teams that are actively evaluating this talent pool stand to capitalize the most.
Here's another group of five such players who caught my eye at summer league:
John Henson | F/C | Milwaukee Bucks
Henson
Henson wrapped up his rookie season in strong fashion, averaging 9.2 points and 8.9 rebounds in April. Although he played sparingly in the playoffs, Henson was able to continue the momentum built at the end of the regular season in the summer league.
I spoke on TrueHoop TV about how players who perform well during their rookie seasons often return to their second summer league with a confidence that shines brightly; Henson definitely fit that description, as he led the competition in blocks (3.0 per game) and was second in rebounding (13.7 per game). With the Bucks exercising the amnesty clause on Drew Gooden and trading Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, expect Henson to seize many of the available minutes at the 4 spot next year for the Bucks.
Draymond Green | PF | Golden State Warriors
Green
Green's summer league numbers don't jump off the page; he averaged a shade under 13 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting a frigid 30.8 percent from the field. But his summer league has been more about expanding his game, as he told Ethan Strauss after the Warriors' semifinal victory over the Bobcats. Beyond pushing the limits of his skill set, summer league has been an excellent opportunity for Green to continue to develop his strong leadership skills, as the "vet" on this team. He can be incredibly influential in the locker room in building the kind of team culture you want your squad to be about, and it was nice to see him flex some of those talents while in Las Vegas.
Marcus Morris | SF/PF | Phoenix Suns
Morris
I'm not sure Morris is any closer to figuring out which position he excels at, but he did a good job of taking advantage of mismatches this week. After a slow start, Morris worked his field goal percentage up to 47.4 and was able to showcase his ballhandling ability in the open court -- making him a tough cover for bigger, slower defenders. The highlight of his week was the game winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves on a side out-of-bounds play drawn up specifically for him. Morris will be fighting for minutes in a crowded Suns frontcourt, but if he can keep his efficiency high, he should be able to distinguish himself from the crowd as a scorer who can create his own shot.
Marquis Teague | PG | Chicago Bulls
Teague
Teague was nailed to the bench for most of the season, but that hasn't quelled any of his confidence here in Vegas. He shot extremely well and did a great job of getting to the free throw line during his last two games. More encouragingly, he ran the team with great poise and control, placing in the top five in assists per game and leading the Bulls to a 3-1 record in games he played. The opportunity to run the team (and to do it effectively) is a crucial building block for Teague's confidence, as he tries to step into the backup PG role in Chicago vacated by Nate Robinson. He has given Chicago's coaches a reason to loosen his leash and allow him to play more meaningful minutes.
Thomas Robinson | PF | Portland Trail Blazers
Robinson
The former Kansas teammate of Marcus Morris, Robinson has lived a journeyman's life in the span of one season, getting traded from Sacramento to Houston to Portland. The good news is it seems he's finally found a home with the Blazers, especially if he continues to rebound as he did in Vegas. Robinson averaged a double-double and was third in rebounding for the tournament. His field goal percentage struggles have continued from the regular season, but Robinson is a player who brings great versatility offensively, and the anything-goes atmosphere of summer league ball might not have been the best venue for him to hone his efficiency. Still, I was encouraged by the progress he made here in Vegas and look forward to his contributions in the regular season.