Game Day - Summer League Edition: Wizards (0-0) @ Suns (0-0), Fri 7/11/25

[Superbone]

I'd usually assume Dunn would sit out the rest of SL, but that guy is competitive so who knows?

I also initially thought Huntley was Fleming. Similar size, haircuts and jersey numbers, and of course ESPN/Marc Jones didn't inform the viewer of substitutions. I was pretty relieved when I figured out it was Huntley because my first thought was about coming to a realization of how Fleming could've slid into the 2nd round.

The announcers were annoying with how many times they confused Dunn with Oso.

[Split T]

Oso just seems like a guy that if he finds the right fit and situation will flourish. He’s just a really good basketball player…Draymond vibes that way. I think it’s definitely him or Dunn for the last starting spot. If he ever shoots, he’s probably our PF of the future

Draymond or Marion vibes?

Marion also just found a lot of ways to contribute when he wasn’t the most skilled. I mostly said Draymond because of the playmaking skill set, but Oso is definitely more of a Marion athlete. He’s just very intriguing to me in that he doesn’t exactly fit into a position in today’s game, but he might just force his way into the scrum because he produces. If Ott can figure out the spacing with two non shooters, it could be fun…Williams as the rim runner(or dunker spot) with Oso as the dunker spot or short roll playmaker. Some high/low big to big action, some DHO…I love that oso can just take it and go to the rim too. If the maluach jumpshot comes around, we would have quite the double big rotation…and we haven’t talked about Fleming yet either.

[pickle]

Brea played a masterful offensive game but he was really a step slow on defense. Hope the training staff can improve that aspect of his game.

[ShelC]

Fun blowout for us. Great to see the team playing hard, playing fast and going on some nice runs. For a first game, it couldn't have gone much better. Oso and Dunn were grown men out there. They both look a lot bigger and just physically more mature than most everyone one. In Summer League, I always want to see guys pop and they both did. I hope they play the rest of the games but wouldn't be surprised if they're shut down after a few.

Oso was a standout for me. I love him on the ball offensively and think he should have more opportunities for it. He was really good defensively inside and on the perimeter. He played the 4 next to Maluach which worked well because Maluach can space (or tries). I still see some Diaw there, just a SWAK who can do a bit of everything at the 4/5 spot (except shoot). He mixed in well next to both Maluach and Huntley. A lot of versatility and switchability there.

Dunn brought it on both ends. His defense is still way ahead of his offense but he scored in just about every way possible. I liked seeing him work in the post a bit - hit a nice looking turnaround fade early in the 2nd half, 2-5 from 3. This is the setting to work on that kind of offense.

Maluach is big. He stands out for his size alone. Seems to have a good sense of things, interested to see his progress as the games go on - mainly adjusting to the speed and physicality. I think he tried to do a lot early on offensively and it mostly didn't go well. He seemed to settle in during the 2nd half tho and wait for his chances. Mostly he looked like just-a-guy out there, albeit a 7-2 guy, but he did well when got the ball deep in the post and is confident catching and shooting. First game, he's 18, he's raw. He didn't look overwhelmed or intimidated.

What a debut for Brea. Pure shooter with range, some dribble drive game. Could be a 2nd steal if he can hold up defensively. Carroll said Brea reminded him of Korver but I thought he looked more like a Redick type, who he referenced postgame.

I really liked what I saw from Huntley on both ends. Legit size, was up and down the floor all night, gave us some play above the rim and was solid on the boards. He looked like he more than belonged out there, which was a concern of mine.

Our guard play got better as the game went on. Ellis and Collins both had some trouble with the bigger, more physical Washington guards. Ellis finished strong shooting the ball but I thought Collins gave us more of a steady hand and ran the offense well. He also has a Brunson-esque step back middy that worked well for him.

Moses Wood looks like a SL Joe Ingles.

Generally, I'm really happy with the talent level of the team and the fact that 6 of these guys are actually ours makes me optimistic.

[ShelC]

Some highlight and postgame videos

Spoiler: show/hide

[Superbone]

This was impressive. Lefty hook? Wow.

[TOO]

This was impressive. Lefty hook? Wow.

He's got a very good touch, his hands aren't great, reminds a bit of a former Suns C in that regard.

[carey]

Oso and Dunn were grown men out there. They both look a lot bigger and just physically more mature than most everyone one. In Summer League, I always want to see guys pop and they both did. I hope they play the rest of the games but wouldn't be surprised if they're shut down after a few.

Don't know who his sources are but David (the IV point play guy) confirmed that Dunn & Oso are only playing 2-3 games.

[Superbone]

Great write up Shel and postgame quotes and highlights but you'll have to hip me to what a SWAK is. A google search didn't do me any good as I doubt it's "sealed with a kiss" or Southwest Athletic Conference.

And Maluach is incredibly mature for an 18-year-old. I love what he has to say.

[TOO]

The Brea stuff comparing him to all-star level players is a bit much for me lol. I'll be stoked if he's Isaiah Joe.

[ShelC]

Great write up Shel and postgame quotes and highlights but you'll have to hip me to what a SWAK is. A google search didn't do me any good as I doubt it's "sealed with a kiss" or Southwest Athletic Conference.

And Maluach is incredibly mature for an 18-year-old. I love what he has to say.

Ha! SWiss Army Knife.

[Superbone]

The Brea stuff comparing him to all-star level players is a bit much for me lol. I'll be stoked if he's Isaiah Joe.

Come on, man! Korver and Redick are his floor.

[Superbone]

[JeremyG]

I'd usually assume Dunn would sit out the rest of SL, but that guy is competitive so who knows?

I also initially thought Huntley was Fleming. Similar size, haircuts and jersey numbers, and of course ESPN/Marc Jones didn't inform the viewer of substitutions. I was pretty relieved when I figured out it was Huntley because my first thought was about coming to a realization of how Fleming could've slid into the 2nd round.

The announcers were annoying with how many times they confused Dunn with Oso.

Was finally able to watch the game on replay.

That was Jones. I also couldn't stand him mispronouncing "Brea" the entire game.

[JeremyG]

The Brea stuff comparing him to all-star level players is a bit much for me lol. I'll be stoked if he's Isaiah Joe.

Korver and Redick only had one All-Star appearance between the two of them.

[JeremyG]

Maluach needs to work on his strength and get in shape. Plays hard, definitely still looks 19 though.

He might already be in as good of shape as he can be in, I’m afraid. Again, his known issues with stamina was my main concern with the pick.

They need to do a better job of getting him the ball down low. Several missed opportunities. Hopefully we will sign a real point guard for the real season.

[INFORMER]

The Brea stuff comparing him to all-star level players is a bit much for me lol. I'll be stoked if he's Isaiah Joe.

As FF said, it's going to be about his defense. So far, it looks like anyone will be able to attack him without much resistance. And if Ott means what he says about how he wants the team to play, Brea won't be able to see time, so needless to say this will be something he will have to put a lot work into.

[INFORMER]

Maluach looked soft and sloppy. He's 18 and looked it.

I don't think it's the age, I think it's his size. I think he is still learning how he can successfully maneuver on the court, with and without the basketball. He just doesn't seem that comfortable with the ball in his hands in live game action, with speed, length, and athleticism coming at him. I worry that if he tries to operate outside of just catching lobs, guys will just strip him all day long.

The other curious thing about bigs is to see the situational quality of their hands. Some bigs just have bad hands regardless of where the ball is coming from. Other bigs situationally have good hands, e.g. they can catch on an upward trajectory above their shoulders (lob), or snatching a decelerating ball off the rim (most rebounds). And then there are those with special hands that seem to be able to catch anything and hold on to just about anything (Amare).

There were a few moments were Khaman's hands looked a little questionable for balls below his shoulders. It will be something to watch.

Maluach is what I expected for a first game. No worse position in Summer League than the Center spot. Guards aren't adept at running pick and rolls and the offense is more run to the wings. I'm not discouraged tho I know some are going to overreact to his poor shooting. If you take away all the dumb 3s he was 4-7 for 11 points.

Yeah, the shooting isn't cause for concern. I'm glad he is letting it fly from 3. Summer league numbers usually need to be examined in context, and I think you're spot on with the shooting here.

I was more concerned with the possession where Bub Carrington forced him into a really bad 3-point attempt than I was the 5-13 shooting. Similarly, Kyshawn George's bully-ball finish over Maluach didn't inspire confidence. I like George, but he isn't exactly a physically imposing offensive threat/finisher.

His first basket (left-handed hook), while certainly not graceful, was nevertheless impressive.

[carey]

There were a few moments were Khaman's hands looked a little questionable for balls below his shoulders. It will be something to watch.

This was a huge problem with Huntley yesterday. Of course there's a big difference between the #10 pick and an UDFA.

[specialsauce]

Maluach looked soft and sloppy. He's 18 and looked it.

I don't think it's the age, I think it's his size. I think he is still learning how he can successfully maneuver on the court, with and without the basketball. He just doesn't seem that comfortable with the ball in his hands in live game action, with speed, length, and athleticism coming at him. I worry that if he tries to operate outside of just catching lobs, guys will just strip him all day long.

The other curious thing about bigs is to see the situational quality of their hands. Some bigs just have bad hands regardless of where the ball is coming from. Other bigs situationally have good hands, e.g. they can catch on an upward trajectory above their shoulders (lob), or snatching a decelerating ball off the rim (most rebounds). And then there are those with special hands that seem to be able to catch anything and hold on to just about anything (Amare).

There were a few moments were Khaman's hands looked a little questionable for balls below his shoulders. It will be something to watch.

Maluach is what I expected for a first game. No worse position in Summer League than the Center spot. Guards aren't adept at running pick and rolls and the offense is more run to the wings. I'm not discouraged tho I know some are going to overreact to his poor shooting. If you take away all the dumb 3s he was 4-7 for 11 points.

Yeah, the shooting isn't cause for concern. I'm glad he is letting it fly from 3. Summer league numbers usually need to be examined in context, and I think you're spot on with the shooting here.

I was more concerned with the possession where Bub Carrington forced him into a really bad 3-point attempt than I was the 5-13 shooting. Similarly, Kyshawn George's bully-ball finish over Maluach didn't inspire confidence. I like George, but he isn't exactly a physically imposing offensive threat/finisher.

His first basket (left-handed hook), while certainly not graceful, was nevertheless impressive.

I'd be happy if he could be Jarrett Allen or a Gobert-lite with a 3 ball.

I do not think what I saw from him will translate to any on-ball skills, and that's okay. He obviously is a kid and his body needs to fill out so he doesn't get pushed off and his confidence will come. By all accounts he's got the IQ , just needs time. He's not going to be ready to start this year, that's for sure.