Lost among the excitement of the Aldridge signing is the fact that Summer League play begins this Monday for the Spurs. The Utah Summer League, featuring San Antonio, Philadelphia, Boston and the Jazz kicks off with the Spurs taking on Jahlil Okafor and the 76ers at 6 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcast on NBA TV and will be available on League Pass.
As you probably know, the Spurs will also participate on the Las Vegas Summer League with a slightly different roster, so this will be the only chance some of these guys will get to make a good impression. Unlike other years, San Antonio will have roster spots to fill, so some of these players will have a legitimate chance to earn an NBA contract.
Let's run down the faces that you'll see on the court and on the bench tomorrow.
Under contract
1 Kyle Anderson | 21 years old | Combo forward | 6'9"
We are all familiar with Anderson by now. The 30th pick of the 2014 draft didn't make much of an impression on the big team last season but showed promise as an offensive player in Austin. It's rare to see such a tall, long player with guard skills, so Anderson could still become a good rotation piece. The Spurs will need everyone under contract to contribute next season so if Anderson shows improvement on the defensive end, he could get minutes.
Rights held by the Spurs
28 Livio Jean-Charles | 21 years old | Combo forward | 6'9"
Jean-Charles played his first full season as a rotation player in France after a knee injury forced him to miss most of the 2013/14 year. While he didn't wow anyone, he proved he belonged. He averaged just four points and three rebounds per game but saw his role increase as the year went on for ASVEL. Jean-Charles has the tools to be a very good defender but his lack of a three-point shot could limit his upside.
26 Cady Lalanne | 23 years old | Power forward/Center | 6'10
Lalanne was this year's second round pick for the Spurs. He has good size and a 7'5" wingspan which will make him a shot-blocking threat at the next level, whether it's the NBA or another league. He showed an improved shooting stroke at the P.I.T. The Spurs will get a shot at seeing how far along he is in his development and how viable he is as an NBA big man before deciding whether to stash him or sign him.
24 Marcus Denmon | 25 years old | Combo guard | 6'3
Denmon has been a fixture of the Spurs' Summer League teams. After he was selected with the 59th pick of the 2012 draft, he's played for the Summer Spurs every year. Denmon bounced back from a knee injury by putting big scoring numbers in Italy this season. His efficiency remained low and he doesn't seem to have made much progress as a playmaker, averaging just two assist per game. If he's still the gunner he's been in the past, it's not likely he sticks but he will get a chance to showcase his talent for overseas teams.
NBA experience
17 Casper Ware | 24 years old | Point guard | 5'11"
Ware went undrafted in 2012 and played in Italy for a year before making it to the league for a short stint with the 76ers in 2013/14. After that he returned to Europe. Last season he played in Germany, averaging 13 points and three assists per game. Ware is a scoring guard who can get hot but his lack of size limits his prospects as an NBA player.
56 Will Cherry | 24 years old | Point guard | 6'1"
Cherry went undrafted in 2013 and stayed in the D-League hoping for an opportunity. After a year toiling away, the Cavaliers picked him up and he was with them for eight games before moving to Lithuania to play with our old friends James Anderson and Robertas Javtokas. He didn't excel, averaging seven points and two assists in Euroleague play, but his team was four points better per 100 possessions with him on the court. His defense might earn him another look from an NBA team.
Established European player
45 Dairis Bertans | 25 years old | Shooting guard | 6'4"
Davis' older brother is an accomplished player on his own right but doesn't have the same upside. He's a good volume shooter who can hit three-pointers both spotting up and on pull-ups but he won't be a go-to scorer in the NBA, which is the role he excels at. It's hard to see him finding a home in the league but his shot-making ability could intrigue some teams. It's doubtful that the Spurs will be among them.
D-League experience
41 Roscoe Smith | 24 years old | Combo forward | 6'8"
Smith has the length to be a good perimeter defender but not the outside shot (26 percent from outside with the D-Fenders) to get consistent minutes at small forward. He could be a Lance Thomas-type of player, capable of being effective as a wing thanks to his effort level and spending some time at power forward.
Right out of college
25 Wayne Blackshear | 23 years old | Wing | 6'5"
Former McDonald's All-American who never lived up to the hype. Role player potential as a 3-and-D guy. Large wingspan and shot 39 percent from outside on his sophomore season before shooting 33 percent on five attempts per game as a senior.
18 Ryan Manuel | 23 years old | Guard | 6'4"
Do-it-all guard out of SMU. Probably on the team because of Pop's connection with Larry Brown because he averaged seven points, three rebounds and two assists in his senior year.
30 Shannon Scott | 22 years old | Point guard | 6'2"
Very limited scorer with intriguing defensive potential. Shot just 28 percent from beyond the arc but averaged six assists while playing next to D'Angelo Russell.
42 Treveon Graham | 21 years old | Shooting guard | 6'6"
Good scorer who projects as a decent defender. Shot 38 percent from outside on five attempts per game and can create for himself in a pinch. Won MVP at the P.I.T.
48 Stefan Nastic | 22 years old | Center | 6'11
Shined in his senior year, averaging over 13 points and six rebounds, which indicates he might be a late bloomer. His mediocre physical tools severely limit his upside as a defender.
55 Darion Atkins | Power forward | 6'8"
Good defensive potential thanks to long arms and mobility. Showed an improved mid-range jumper at the P.I.T, which could give him role player potential.
76ers roster
8 Jahlil Okafor, C (Duke)
11 J.P. Tokoto, F (North Carolina)
17 T.J. McConnell, G (Arizona)
18 Deonte Burton, G (Ratiopharm Ulm -- Germany)
19 Furkan Aldemir, F (Philadelphia 76ers)
22 Richaun Holmes, F (Bowling Green)
25 Derrick Marks, G (Boise State)
30 Corey Hawkins, G (UC-Davis)
39 Jerami Grant, F (Philadelphia 76ers)
40 Chavaughn Lewis, G (Marist)
42 Sam Thompson, F (Ohio State)
53 Jordan Railey, C (Washington State)