2026 NBA Summer League: Full Schedule, How to Watch

Like most things in Las Vegas, the NBA Summer League runs on hope: the hope of NBA teams as they place their bets on the next generation of stars.

The 2026 NBA Draft is over, and the league’s next-up talent has found its home. From the presumptive No. 1 pick to steals in the second round, this class has the star power and depth to reshape the league, and the NBA’s Summer League is the first look we’ll get at these rookies in their new uniforms and our first chance to gauge their NBA potential.

The 2026 NBA Summer League runs July 9 through July 19. Pre-Summer League tournaments also take place earlier in July. Here’s how to watch.

You can watch 2026 NBA Summer League games every day on DIRECTV!

How to Watch the 2026 NBA Summer League

The 2026 NBA Summer League airs on ESPN, ESPN2, Prime Video and ESPNU. Here are the channels you’ll be able to find all the action on with DIRECTV.

• ESPN (Ch. 206)
• ESPN2 (Ch. 209)
• ESPNU (Ch. 208)

2026 NBA Summer League Schedule

The Summer League tipped off with two summer tournaments, the California Classic and the Salt Lake City Tournament, before the Summer League itself got underway.

2026 California Classic Summer League (July 3-6)

Teams: Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs

2026 Salt Lake City Summer League

Teams: Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz

Here’s the full schedule for the 2026 NBA Summer League.

Thursday, July 9

Friday, July 10

Saturday, July 11

Sunday, July 12

Monday, July 13

Tuesday, July 14

Wednesday, July 15

Thursday, July 16

Friday, July 17

Saturday, July 18

Sunday, July 19

NBA Summer League Players to Watch

Wondering which players stand to make the biggest splash during the Summer League? Here are a few of the top prospects on the court.

AJ Dybantsa – Washington Wizards

AJ Dybantsa was the presumptive No. 1 pick for more than a year, and the Wizards made it official. Scouts have drawn comparisons to Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown, citing his ability to score at all three levels and his effectiveness as a slasher. Washington hopes Dybantsa becomes the face of the franchise.

Darryn Peterson – Utah Jazz

Peterson is the most dynamic scorer in this draft class. Health concerns after missing time at Kansas due to cramping hurt his stock, but there is no denying his talent or his star power. He is an elite shot maker from three, a physical ball handler and a versatile defender. Some draft boards actually had Peterson as the top prospect available, placing him ahead of Dybantsa despite the consensus.

Cameron Boozer – Memphis Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer carries the pedigree of a former NBA star father in Carlos Boozer and plays with a wisdom beyond his years. He is a cerebral player who can stretch the floor and make plays from the top of the key. He won’t jump out of the gym, but scouts project him as a perennial All-Star. Comparable players include DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love and Al Horford. Boozer’s standout run in the NCAA Tournament cemented his reputation as a winning player, which is exactly what Memphis needs as it looks to reverse its recent fortunes.

Caleb Wilson – Chicago Bulls

Caleb Wilson surged up draft boards thanks to his explosiveness in transition and his strength inside. He is considered the most raw prospect in the top four. Wilson joins a Bulls team that missed the playoffs last year but has young playmakers in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. He adds a new level of physicality to Chicago’s frontcourt.

Keaton Wagler – Los Angeles Clippers

Wagler helped Illinois to an impressive 2025-26 season with his court vision, consistent shot making and ability to play on and off the ball. He lands with a Clippers organization renowned for strong coaching, which should help maximize his potential. He put his abilities on full display with a 46-point performance in a major conference game against Purdue.

Darius Acuff Jr. – Sacramento Kings

Acuff Jr. draws inevitable comparisons to Damian Lillard as an exceptional scorer with strong ball-handling and the ability to score at all three levels. He also possesses an advanced feel for when to create for himself versus make the right play. Sacramento hopes he can be its next great guard after losing Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox to trades.

Morez Johnson Jr. – Dallas Mavericks

Johnson Jr. lands in a fascinating situation in Dallas. He will run alongside last year’s No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg under new head coach Dusty May, who coached Johnson at Michigan, where they won a national championship together. May knows exactly what elite defensive talent he is pairing with Flagg as Dallas works to rebuild in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade. If Johnson develops a consistent offensive game, the rest of the league should take notice.

Brayden Burries – Milwaukee Bucks

The post-Giannis era in Milwaukee begins with the selection of Brayden Burries. The 6-foot-4 guard out of Arizona is a versatile two-way player who makes plays on both ends of the floor. Burries will have an immediate opportunity to contribute on a Bucks team in the midst of a full rebuild.

Yaxel Lendeborg – Golden State Warriors

Lendeborg is one of the older players in this draft class, but he lands in arguably the most perfect situation for his game. With flashes of Draymond Green, Lendeborg was the emotional core and centerpiece of Michigan’s title run. The Warriors are desperate to compete and are looking for elite role players in the short term with the upside to become key pieces of the future. The only knock on Lendeborg is his age entering the league.

Aday Mara – Oklahoma City Thunder

Aday Mara is the best center in the draft. The 7-foot-3 big man lands in Oklahoma City, which has experience working with elite shot-blocking big men. His calling card is touch — it will make him closer to a Nikola Jokic than a Victor Wembanyama in terms of his elite feel around the rim, passing ability and solid but not spectacular defense. He steps into a contender immediately, pairing alongside Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein in one of the most intriguing frontcourts in the league.

Tarris Reed Jr. – San Antonio Spurs

Tarris Reed was the center of last year’s NBA Finals runner-up and is one of the most physical interior presences in this draft. He lands in San Antonio, which is in desperate need of toughness inside. Reed is a near-perfect complement to Victor Wembanyama, able to hold his position and allow Wembanyama to roam freely on both ends. He won’t light up a box score, but he will do all of the dirty work the Spurs were missing when they fell to the Knicks in the Finals.

Isaiah Evans – Minnesota Timberwolves

Evans might be the steal of the entire draft. The 6-foot-6 combo guard fell to No. 33 with elite three-point shooting and good shot-making ability. There is room to grow defensively and as an interior offensive threat, but the value at this spot is undeniable. He lands on one of the best-coached teams in the league under Chris Finch and joins a backcourt already loaded with playmakers in Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu and Donte DiVincenzo.

What is the NBA Summer League and How Does It Work?

The NBA Summer League is an off-season tournament where rosters of rookies, second-year players and prospects from each the league’s 30 teams play each other in exhibition games. It’s considered a top testing ground for developing players and future talent.

Where is the NBA Summer League 2026?

The Summer League traditionally takes place in Las Vegas. This year’s games will be played at the Cox Pavilion and Thomas & Mack Center. The smaller tournaments took place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the Chase Center in San Francisco and the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

How to Watch the NBA Summer League for Free

New DIRECTV customers can watch the NBA Summer League for free when they sign up for a five-day free trial of DIRECTV MySports®, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Unlimited Plan app.

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