We came into Summer League 2026 the way we always do. With excitement and with hope. There’s something about watching your team’s young prospects take the floor for the first time that always pulls you in. When you have rookies in the mix, it’s your first opportunity to see them wearing your team’s colors, and that alone creates a different level of anticipation.
But as the days pass, that excitement naturally begins to fade. Reality sets in. The games don’t count. Some players are further behind
in their development than we hoped. Rotations change, veterans sit, and gradually your attention starts to drift elsewhere.
That’s exactly what happened last season. The Suns arrived in Las Vegas with an exciting group of young players alongside a pair of sophomores we were eager to see develop. In the opener against the Washington Wizards, Ryan Dunn scored 17 points while shooting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Oso Ighodaro finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Khaman Maluach added 14 points, although he was 1-of-6 from three. Koby Brea chipped in 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Then Game 2 arrived. Ryan Dunn didn’t play. Neither did Khaman Maluach. Rasheer Fleming missed his second consecutive game. Like clockwork, the excitement faded.
This year’s version has been much more exciting because the guys you came to see are actually playing. And they’re playing every game. From Game 1 through Game 4, you can see the connectivity and cohesion developing, and it’s translating into wins.
I applaud the Suns’ front office for handling it this way. Typically, a player has a couple of strong performances, the organization decides it’s seen enough, and he disappears for the remainder of Summer League. That’s not what Phoenix has done. The Suns are taking advantage of every developmental opportunity available, and Summer League is a significant part of that process.
Yes, Khaman Maluach has dominated in pretty much every facet of the game. You could argue the organization has already seen everything it needs to see. But these minutes still have value. He’s out there leading, communicating, and continuing to build good habits. So why not give him more opportunities to do exactly that? That’s the approach the Suns have taken.
They now sit at 3-1 in standings that don’t count, and it’s because they’ve allowed this group to develop together. The cohesion has grown, the talent has become more apparent, and the players have been given every opportunity to showcase what they can do.
Quite honestly, this has been one of the most enjoyable Summer Leagues I’ve watched as a fan. I actually get to watch the players I came to see, and they’re getting enough minutes for me to develop a real understanding of who they are while gaining valuable reps at the same time.
Whether the Suns finish Summer League with a winning record won’t matter much a few months from now. What will matter is that they resisted the urge to declare victory after a game or two and instead treated Las Vegas like the classroom it was meant to be. Development isn’t about checking a box. It’s about accumulating reps, building chemistry, and learning through experience. Phoenix has embraced that philosophy this summer, and it’s made the basketball more enjoyable to watch while giving these young players a better chance to become contributors when their number is eventually called.
Summer Bright Side Baller Standings
Three games. Three Maluach masterclasses. He has owned the Summer League Bright Side Baller standings to this point, winning once again for his performance against the Bucks on Monday. Although he did so with only 71% of the vote.
Summer Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 4 against the Pistons. Here are your nominees:
Khaman Maluach
23 points (8-of-13, 2-of-5 3PT), 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, +14 +/-
Rasheer Fleming
22 points (8-of-12, 4-of-6 3PT), 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +8 +/-
Koa Peat
19 points (6-of-13, 0-of-1 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, +16 +/-
Darius Brown II
9 points (3-of-4, 0-of-1 3PT), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, +6 +/-
Javonte Cooke
12 points (4-of-9, 2-of-6 3PT), 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers, -1 +/-
Jameer Nelson Jr.
8 points (3-of-4, 0-of-0 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +6 +/-
Time to cast away!
