The Atlanta Hawks will soon kick off Summer League play. 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 Atlanta Hawks kick off their Salt Lake City Summer League experience tonight (July 4) at 5:00 ET.
What should fans be looking for? Here are three areas to keep an eye on during the Salt Lake festivities.
1. Rookie Performances
Naturally, most eyes will be on recent lottery pick Kingston Flemings. He's the most significant player the Hawks will roster during Summer League.
Will he increase his three-point volume from day one? Or will he look for his midrange as he so often did in college? Will the Hawks run the offense through Flemings, or will be settle into the type of role he's likely to play on the main roster?
Flemings won't be the only rookie to watch. A positional battle between Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar will be something to keep an eye on. Can either of the Hawks' rookie big men establish themselves as a day-one contributor? Ejiofor's defense could give him the edge, but Veesaar's ability to space the floor makes him intriguing as well.
2. Asa Newell
Everyone tunes into Summer League for the rookies, but often, it's the sophomores who steal the spotlight.
That's why Newell gets his own category. He was intriguing for the Hawks during his 2025-26 rookie season. Any 6'10" player who shoots 38.7% from three-point range has a chance to be an NBA rotation player.
The hope is always that a sophomore will dominate in Summer League. In a best-case scenario, the Hawks pull Newell early because he's too good to be in Summer League. Even if that doesn't happen, a strong performance from Newell will be indicative of his potential to help the team next year.
3. Diamonds In The Rough
We've named the big names. Yet, that's not all Summer League is about. It's also an opportunity for fringe NBA players to make their case.
Could 25-year-old Isaiah Wong finally find his NBA home in Atlanta? Could Kobe Johnson's athleticism stand out? Could we see signs of positive development from Jacob Toppin?
Who knows? This is an opportunity for everyone on the roster. It's worth remembering that these are all incredible basketball players, whether they meet the NBA standard or not. We may see someone who has been overlooked break out as an NBA guy:
Although some diehard fans may have been expecting it all along.
