Golden State Warriors: Most Intriguing Players on Summer League Team

Jul 22, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Darren Erman lifts the NBA Summer League Championship trophy with his players after defeating the Phoenix Suns in the final NBA Summer League game 91-77 at the Thomas and Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

With the start of the 2015 Summer League season right around the corner, the Golden State Warriors look to win the NBA’s version of the Triple Crown. The team has already won the first two legs in winning the D-League championship and the NBA championship, and winning the Summer League crown would finish off the trifecta.

After winning the entire tournament in 2013, the team finished just 21st last year. The Warriors are looking to avenge that finish and will look to be competitors in 2015. Led by coach Luke Walton, the team has an ample amount of talent mixed between undrafted rookies, D-League mainstays, and an NBA champion.

Looking at last year’s team, three names stand out. Festus Ezeli, James Michael McAdoo, and Justin Holiday all played for the 2014 Warriors’ Summer League and then went on to win the NBA championship with the big league team. Ognjen Kuzmic, who appeared in a handful of regular season games, is also on this year’s Summer League team, but he was not on the team’s postseason roster. All three players were able to make an impression on the team, and were eventually given a spot on the NBA roster.

While that is the goal of all players in the Summer League, the Warriors may actually have some openings. Holliday is not expected to be back with the team, David Lee has been shipped out, and McAdoo’s roster spot is not guaranteed. If someone were to impress during Summer League they could realistically make the team.

These players should provide a spark for the Warriors’ Summer League team. Fans usually let Summer League pass without paying much attention, but these five players should intrigue Warriors’ fans.

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