[The Monitor] Vipers heavily represented at Las Vegas Summer League

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7.10.14 Vipers heavily represented at Las Vegas Summer League

Eighteen players who have played for the Vipers, including nine from the 2013-14 season, will be competing in the Las Vegas Summer League starting Friday.

They are as follows, with the name of the player, the season with the Vipers in parentheses, and the team they are in summer league with in Vegas. Players in bold are those who spent time in RGV last season.

Isaiah Canaan (2013-14) – Houston Rockets

Robert Covington (2013-14) – Houston Rockets

Chris Daniels (2012-13) – Toronto Raptors

Jamelle Hagins (2013-14) – Philadelphia 76ers

Terrel Harris (2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13) – NBA D-League Select Team

Jordan Henriquez (2013-14) – New York Knicks

Tyler Honeycutt (2012-13) – Miami Heat

Chris Johnson (2012-13, 2013-14) – Boston Celtics

Kenny Kadji (2013-14) – Milwaukee Bucks

D.J. Kennedy (2012-13) – Minnesota Timberwolves

Scott Machado (2012-13) – Toronto Raptors

Vernon Macklin (2012-13) – Orlando Magic

Darius Morris (2013-14) – San Antonio Spurs

Tim Ohlbrecht (2012-13, 2013-14) – Denver Nuggets

Arinze Onuaku (2010-11) – Indiana Pacers

Glen Rice, Jr. (2012-13) – Washington Wizards

Maalik Wayns (2012-13, 2013-14) – Washington Wizards

Hassan Whiteside (2012-13) – Toronto Raptors

Initial thoughts: Hagins is an intriguing prospect. He was acquired late last season by RGV and had a rough start but flourished as a rebounder and defender as the season went on, averaging 8 points, 6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 65.5 percent in the postseason. He's in a good spot with Philly and has a good chance at earning an invite to camp in the fall. NBA games played: 0.

Chris Johnson, a 6-4 guard, played well with the Celtics last season (6.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.7 spg in 19 mpg in 40 games, and of everyone listed, aside from Canaan, Morris and Glen Rice Jr., he's as sure of a bet to be seeing consistent time in the NBA next season. The Celtics need his shooting, defense and leadership. He was a staple of the 2012-13 Vipers NBADL championship team. NBA games played: 48.

Kadji is the definition of raw and I'm surprised he got picked up. He was acquired by the Vipers in January and had a reputation as a shooting forward, but struggled all season, averaging 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 37 percent in 19 games. It will be interesting to see how he plays in Vegas. NBA games played: 0.

The Spurs' pickup of Morris for their summer league team was sneaky, of course. With Patty Mills sidelined for awhile because of a shoulder injury, the 6-4 Morris, an athletic scoring point guard with a gift for getting to the rim whenever he wants, could have a shot at proving himself. Morris averaged 30 points, 10.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds in six playoff games for the Vipers, shooting 55.1 percent. He is streaky with his outside shot, but as a leader, penetrator and playmaker, he could be a good find for San Antonio. NBA games played: 94.

Ohlbrecht can be a headache off the floor, but on the court he produces, so it will be interesting to see what he can do with the Nuggets. The 6-11 center is having a solid summer. At the Orlando league with the Pistons, he's averaging 4.8 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 87.5% from the field in 19 minutes per game. It's tough for big men to look good in summer leagues, but Ohlbrecht has been sound as a rebounder, passer and screener. I would like to see how he does when the offense runs through him more, but that's a tough ask in the guard-dominated summer leagues (and NBA, for that matter). And he IS prone to the poster. And split-second-too-late defensive reactions. NBA games played: 3.

Maalik Wayns has played with the Vipers in each of the last two seasons, averaging 12 points in each, but 2013-14 was marred with a knee injury and he played in only 11 games. He's an attacking guard that scores with ease in the paint and would have been a nice boost of offense for the Vipers off the bench in the playoffs. With the Wizards, it's likely he's just hoping to see how the knee responds after surgery and how much further he has to go. NBA games played: 29.

As far as other former Vipers, I like DJ Kennedy and Scott Machado and would like to see them get a chance. Both have NBA skills, Kennedy as a defender and Machado as a passer. Both, however, could use more consistency offensively.