2022 Las Vegas Summer League officially begins for the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday evening. This is when we will get our first look at rookies Shaedon Sharpe, who was drafted by Portland seventh overall in last month’s draft, and second-round pick Jabari Walker.
Unlike the summer of 2021 when Portland had veterans Michael Beasley and Kenneth Faried on the roster who were hoping to earn an invite to training camp and an eventual roster spot on the Blazers itself, this year’s team only has point guard Josh Gray and George King as “veterans.” In addition to Sharpe, Walker, Gray, and King, Keon Johnson, Greg Brown III, Didi Louzada, Trendon Watford, and Brandon Williams will be the most familiar names Portland fans will know and recognize on the Summer League roster.
Shaedon Sharpe and other Blazers young prospects will appear in 2022 Las Vegas Summer League
Most of the players on the Summer League squad won’t be on Portland’s roster come the regular season. However, if they play well enough and get the attention of Head Coach Chauncey Billups, as well as the Summer League coaches calling plays for Portland, they could earn themselves an invitation to participate in training camp, preseason, and perhaps even land a two-way Contract. Watford had one of these contracts last season before being signed to a Standard Contract. Brandon Williams currently holds one, leaving one spot open for a potential Summer League standout.
Sharpe and the Blazers will tip-off their Las Vegas Summer League run against fifth-overall pick Jaden Ivey and the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, July 7 at 9 PM Pacific Time.