Starting 5: SLC Summer League wraps up as Las Vegas looms

Last flight out of Utah.

Atlanta’s Jacob Toppin put a pin in Salt Lake City’s summer slate with this floating oop throwdown.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Hawks Flying High: Atlanta completes strong Salt Lake circuit with win over Grizz

Pitch Perfect: Jazz dominate, finish 3-0 to wrap SLC Summer League

Summer Slams: A few of the best highlight-reel plays from SLC and the Cali Classic

First Look: NBA 2026 Summer League, featuring all 30 teams, opens tomorrow in Vegas

Lowry Retires: Six-time All-Star signs one-day contract to retire as a Raptor

BUT FIRST …

Tuesday brought more offseason news, as deals and moves continue to be made official…

• Reports: Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers reach deal for 4-year extension
• Reports: Khris Middleton, Wizards agree on 3-year deal via a sign-and-trade involving five other teams
• One of those teams? The Memphis Grizzlies, who reportedly agree to acquire D’Angelo Russell and future Draft picks from the Wizards
• Also involved? The Bucks, who reportedly agree to acquire Caris LeVert and two future Draft picks in exchange for sending Taurean Prince and Gary Harris to the Pistons
• Visit the Free Agency Hub for the latest reports, signings and official deals

Brunson On The Mend: Reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson has undergone surgery on his shooting wrist and is expected to return to basketball activities this summer.

The 2026 NBA Summer League begins tomorrow in Las Vegas with a seven-game slate, highlighted by a potential matchup between No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, as the Wizards face the Jazz (9 ET, ESPN).

The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup also tips off Thursday in Vegas, as top hoops creators and influencers take the floor in a fan-favorite 5v5 showdown on the NBA App, NBA YouTube and NBA Facebook (8:30 PT).

1. HAWKS HANDLE GRIZZLIES BEFORE HEADING TO VEGAS

A familiar name, an unsung hero and a skilled second-rounder.

On the final night of action from Salt Lake City, Atlanta’s summer roster powered up for its highest-scoring four quarters of the circuit.

Hawks 96, Grizzlies 82: Without their first-round picks Kingston Flemings Jr. (No. 8) and Zuby Ejiofor (No. 23), Atlanta rode undrafted Rookie Devon Higgs’ game-high 22 points to clear a Memphis squad without No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer. | Recap

• Early Takeoff: Atlanta’s Jacob Toppin scored 9 of his 14 points – including this bouncy oop finish from Henri Veesaar – in the 1st quarter, where the Hawks used an early 13-0 run to separate for good
• Flock Firepower: Atlanta used double-digit scoring performances from six of its 10 active players to lead by as many as 19

“We all just play with heart,” Higgs said of Atlanta’s summer squad. “We all come out here, we all have fun, as we just get it done.”

• Tall Talent: Hawks 7-foot second-round pick Veesaar (11 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast) flexed his all-around game, striking from deep and punishing in the paint on the run
• Memphis’ Standout: Guard Brendan Hausen stepped up for 15 2nd-half points to finish with a team-high 21
• Step One Complete: Flemings and the Hawks finish the Salt Lake City circuit 2-1, their only loss coming in OT to 3–0 Utah, while Boozer’s Grizz wrap up 1-2

Up next, Atlanta and Memphis head to Las Vegas for 2026 NBA Summer League, with the Hawks meeting the Spurs on Day 1 (Thursday, 4:30 ET, ESPN2), and the Grizzlies opening against the Bulls on Friday (8 ET, Prime).

2. HOST JAZZ COMPLETE 3-0 RUN IN SALT LAKE CITY

No Darryn Peterson, no problem.

Without the No. 2 overall pick on Tuesday, the Jazz wrapped up their Summer League hosting duties with a circuit-best third win for an undefeated finish.

Jazz 103, Thunder 69: Six Utah players scored in double figures, led by G-Leaguer Jonas Aidoo’s big night (16 pts, 14 reb, 4 blk), as the Jazz pounded the paint for a 46-28 advantage inside and led by as many as 37 points. | Recap

• “He belongs in the league”: Former Jazz big man and current broadcaster Thurl Bailey praised Aidoo – who played for the Hornets’ Greensboro Swarm last season – at the half, already up to 10 points, 11 boards and three blocks
• Hosts Heat Up: Utah was up by 16 at that point, following a 42-25 run to close out the 1st half. The Jazz then outscored the Thunder 50-32 in the 2nd half
• Max Manuevers: Jazz undrafted Rookie Max Abmas showcased his handles and weaved in-and-out of traffic on his way to highlights, 15 points and six assists
• Thunder Scoring Twins: OKC also went without first-round Draft picks Aday Mara (No. 12 overall) and Bennett Stirtz (No. 16 overall), getting 16 points and four 3s apiece from Josh Dix and Steven Ashworth

Utah’s undefeated summer squad got a bench visit from Jazz star Keyonte George, who’s particularly excited to add Peterson to the regular-season mix.

• “Just how fast he picks up on things,” George said when asked what impresses him most about the No. 2 overall pick. “Obviously we know the ability that he has, the shot making, all the different tools …”
• “You know it’s gonna be fun … to play in a tandem, for sure,” George said.

Looking ahead, the Jazz aim to continue their unbeaten start to the summer Thursday in Las Vegas against AJ Dybantsa and the Wizards (9 ET, ESPN), while OKC begins its Vegas slate Friday against the Lakers (10 ET, Prime).

3. A HANDFUL OF TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM CALI & SALT LAKE CITY

Darryn Peterson’s eye-popping scoring displays.

Yaxel Lendeborg’s perfect shooting debut.

Game-winners and even a sudden-death 2OT decider.

Summer Leaguers brought their best to Salt Lake City and the California Classic. Here are a few of the high-flying plays to note from the start of summer hoops. | Four Takeaways from SLC & Cali

California Classic, July 6 | The Heat’s Tre White went skywalking along the baseline against Warriors Gold

California Classic, July 6 | The Nets’ No. 6 overall pick, Mikel Brown Jr., with the moves and the airborne, no-look wraparound assist for 3

California Classic, July 5 | Warriors’ second round pick Lajae Jones gets level with the rim for the transition oop around the defense

California Classic, July 5 | Before winning the game with his sudden-death tip-in in double-OT, the Lakers’ Anton Watson provided the poster of the summer so far, losing his headband on the and-1

Salt Lake City, July 4 | Not to be outdone, Utah’s Cody Williams cruised through Atlanta’s defense for this windmill postery, July 4 | Not to be outdone, Utah’s Cody Williams cruised through Atlanta’s defense for this windmill poster

4. UP NEXT: 2026 NBA SUMMER LEAGUE IN VEGAS

We’re just one day away from tipoff at the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

All 30 teams will participate in the event for the eighth straight year in a showcase of the NBA’s next generation, featuring 76 games over 11 days.

Whether it’s rookies getting their first taste of NBA competition, sophomores looking to take the next step or unsigned players hoping to earn a training camp invite, NBA Summer League is a proving ground for some of the best young talent in the world.

• The Format: Each team will play at least five games, with the top four teams advancing to the Playoffs, capped by the championship game on July 19 (9 ET, ESPN)
• How To Watch: All games will air across ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and Prime

The NBA Summer League has a rich history of showcasing future NBA stars. Former participants include seven active Kia NBA MVPs and the last five Finals MVPs.

• Kevin Durant: 2007 Summer League ➡️ 2014 Kia NBA MVP
• Stephen Curry: 2009 ➡️ 2015 & 2016
• Russell Westbrook: 2009 ➡️ 2017
• James Harden: 2009 ➡️ 2018
• Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2014 ➡️ 2019 & 2020
• Nikola Jokić: 2015 ➡️ 2021, 2022 & 2024
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 2018 ➡️ 2025 & 2026

Now, a new wave of talent takes center stage, led by the much-anticipated 2026 NBA Draft class.

It all begins with a seven-game slate on Thursday, headlined by a showdown between No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, as the Wizards face the Jazz (9 ET, ESPN).

• Dybantsa’s Debut: An explosive 6-foot-9 wing, Dybantsa led Division I in scoring last year as a freshman at BYU. He’ll now get his first taste of NBA action with Peterson – another gifted scorer – on the other side
• DP Dazzling: Peterson’s takeover ability was on full display in Salt Lake City, with games of 28 and 25 points in his two outings, including a slew of highlight buckets
• More Top-5 Debuts: After the top-two showdown, the Clippers’ No. 5 overall pick, Keaton Wagler, is slated to debut against No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr. and the Kings (11 ET, ESPN), while Chicago’s No. 4 overall pick, Caleb Wilson, could see his first action on Friday as the Bulls face No. 3 pick Cam Boozer and the Grizzlies (8 ET, Prime)

The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup also gets underway Thursday in Las Vegas, as some of the biggest names in basketball and digital culture square off in a 5v5 showdown (8:30 PT, NBA App/NBA YouTube/NBA Facebook).

• The Squads: With a combined social following of 125+ million, this year’s Creator Cup roster features some of the most influential names in basketball and gaming content, with Pierre Andresen and Darrick Miller of Enjoy Basketball serving as coaches
• Don’t Miss Out: The fan-favorite exhibition takes place at The Pavilion at UNLV, with tickets including admission to seven NBA Summer League games – grab yours now!

5. KYLE LOWRY RETIRES A RAPTOR

The day couldn’t have been more fitting. It was July 7 — 7/7 on the calendar.

From 2012-21, Kyle Lowry donned No. 7 in Toronto, becoming a legend in the city and helping to secure the franchise’s lone championship in 2019.

Tuesday, the six-time All-Star signed a one-day contract to retire with the Raptors, who will raise that No. 7 jersey to the rafters of Scotiabank Arena this season.

“You’re playing for a whole country and who you are doesn’t just show up in one place — it shows up in every place,” Lowry said. “It’s hard to explain, but it’s just an amazing place to be.”

• Franchise Icon: Lowry ranks 1st all-time in franchise history in assists, steals and 3-pointers made. He’s also 2nd in points and games played
• Rise To Stardom: After a trade from Houston to Toronto in 2012, the point guard earned six straight All-Star selections from 2015-20 and was All-NBA Third Team in 2016
• Crowned: Alongside Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Kia Most Improved Player of the Year Pascal Siakam, Lowry’s Raptors defeated the Warriors, 4-2, in the 2019 NBA Finals

The last 2 1/2 seasons of his career were spent with the 76ers — his hometown team. His final contract was signed with the team he spent the most time with, and in the city he considers home.

Olivia Chow, the mayor of Toronto, declared Tuesday “Kyle Lowry Day.” Every July 7 for years to come will honor him.

“Kyle Lowry holds a special place in Toronto’s story,” Chow wrote. “On Kyle Lowry Day, we thank him for the years he gave to the Raptors, the memories he created for fans and the role he played in the growth of basketball in Toronto and across Canada.”

• The Beginning: In the 2006 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies selected Lowry out of Villanova with the No. 24 overall pick. He was named All-Big East Second Team as a sophomore
• The End: He retires as one of just 12 players in league history to play 20 or more seasons, and one of two point guards to do so, alongside Chris Paul (2005-26)

“He played a brand of basketball that very few in the NBA have matched,” said Raptors general manager Bobby Webster. “Every possession for him was life and death.”

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