Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – Summer League Game #1
Joshua Primo is ready to lead the Spurs in summer league (Photo via Twitter)
The San Antonio Spurs tip off their summer league action on Friday afternoon against the Cleveland Cavaliers. NBA Summer league runs from July 7th through July 17th and all the games are played in Las Vegas. So far, San Antonio is scheduled to play four games.
The Spurs summer league roster is headlined by their three first rounders in the 2022 NBA Draft: Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. Joshua Primo, a first rounder in the 2021 draft, is also on the roster.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update: Jeremy Sochan and Joe Wieskamp
Unfortunately, the Spurs have ruled out Jeremy Sochan and Joe Wieskamp for the entirety of summer league. Sochan is still working his way back into shape after recently testing positive for COVID-19. Wieskamp suffered an ankle injury during the practices leading up to summer league.
Sochan, the ninth overall selection in the draft, is San Antonio’s first top ten pick since Tim Duncan. However, Spurs fans will have to wait longer to see him in action.
Wieskamp, a second round pick last season, could have locked up a roster spot with a strong showing in summer league. His future with the Spurs isn’t as clear but he’s a restricted free agent and it’s considered likely that he’ll play a second season with San Antonio.
Both Sochan and Wieskamp will be with their teammates in Las Vegas.
Spurs Summer League Starting Lineup
Expect Joshua Primo to start at point guard for the Spurs summer league squad. Blake Wesley, the 25th pick in the draft, is likely to start at shooting guard. Malaki Branham, the 20th pick, is likely to start at small forward.
At power forward, Robert Woodard II may get the nod. Woodard was signed to a two-way contract last season. At center, Dominick Barlow is the likely candidate to be in the starting lineup. Barlow was signed by the Spurs earlier this offseason on a two-way deal.
What to Watch for in Spurs Summer League
The Spurs would love for Joshua Primo to break out in a big way in summer league. If he can perform well as a point guard in summer league, he has a chance to enter the season as the team’s starting point guard. Otherwise, Tre Jones appears to have the inside track at being the team’s starter at that position following the Dejounte Murray trade.
With Sochan out, all eyes will be on first rounders Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. Branham is regarded as a talented scorer with a smooth stroke from all three levels, while Wesley is an explosive athlete who brings energy and intensity to both ends of the court.
Barlow is a bit of a mystery but if he plays well, he could earn himself NBA minutes next season.
Spurs Summer League Betting Odds
Could the Spurs win the summer league championship this season? As it stands, Vegas has San Antonio as a long-shot, with 22-to-1 odds to take home the summer league crown. The favorites to win the summer league championship are the Brooklyn Nets (7-to-1) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7.5-to-1).
For the game against the Cavaliers, the Spurs are favored by 4.5 points. Considering that Primo should be ready to hit the ground running for the Spurs, betting on San Antonio to cover that spread is the right move.