The Memphis Grizzlies kick Summer League off on Saturday. Here are three areas to keep an eye on.
If you're a diehard NBA fan, you don't have to wait long to watch NBA - or at least NBA-adjacent- basketball. Sure, there's a significant break between regular seasons:
But Summer League gets underway before you know it.
It's already here. The Memphis Grizzlies kick off their Salt Lake City Summer League experience today (July 4) at 1 p.m. CT.
What should fans be looking for? Here are three areas to keep an eye on during the Salt Lake festivities.
1. Cameron Boozer
Where else would we start?
Ja Morant is gone. That makes Boozer the Grizzlies' unequivocal franchise player. He'll draw attention from fans around the NBA in his Summer League debut.
Boozer will have his struggles as a rookie - virtually all rookies do. Still, he should be a star in Summer League play. Boozer will be among the most talented in a group of players that are mostly rookies, sophomores, and undrafted fringe NBAers.
That said, he may not be the best player on Memphis' Summer League roster...
2. Cedric Coward's Performance
It was somewhat surprising to see Coward on the Grizzlies' Summer League roster. He proved himself enough during his 2025-26 rookie campaign to wonder whether the Grizzlies would think he needed summer reps.
That said, playing basketball has intrinsic value. It's good to get Coward on the floor, but here's the rub:
He ought to dominate Summer League.
Ideally, the Grizzlies will pull him early when they realize he's in a different class. Coward is the most accomplished basketball player on this roster, so hopefully, he looks the part before long.
3. Long-Term Keepers
The Grizzlies could be in a strong position to win the Salt Lake City tournament. This roster is flush with potential long-term rotation players.
Walter Clayton Jr. will be one to keep an eye on. He flashed some potential as a rookie, but he'll need to hit more than 30.7% of his threes next year. It would be wonderful if he showed off an improved stroke in Summer League.
Fans will also watch Memphis' other first-round pick. Karim Lopez will be fun to watch during Summer League. The expectations will be lower than Boozer's, but he should be a solid contributor in Salt Lake City.
Taylor Hendricks and Olivier Maxence-Prosper are both accomplished NBAers on summer standards. How will they look in Salt Lake? Can Jevon Porter, Javon Small and others prove that they belong in the Grizzlies' plans? Time will tell:
And if you're a diehard Grizzlies fan, you'll be watching.
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