July basketball mattered in Charlotte as Las Vegas provided concrete proof of the reliability of the Hornets’ components in NBA speed, physicality and pressure. Charlotte had two first-round picks, an abundance of returning professionals and a significant number of players bidding for contracts. Indicators from the last five games were more important than the final record of 1-4.
For fans following the NBA summer league, the journey was a way to get a sense of what things were like before training camp in Charlotte. It also started a scouting window for fantasy managers and bettors after this summer’s NBA matches. The players that drove the making of the team and how their game will impact Charles Lee’s rotation will be covered.
Spotlight on the 2026 draft class: Meet Steinbach and Anderson Jr.
The attraction was Hannes Steinbach. The 14th selection, measuring 6-foot-10 and 248 pounds averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds in Washington. His shooting percentage on field play (57.7 percent) was also efficient with the ball and at the perimeter to overcome the shortcomings of traditional-center shooting guards.
His production translated. Steinbach scored 15 points on 11 rebounds and two blocks and posted a pair of 20-point double-doubles against Orlando. He poured it on for 27 points and 15 rebounds to drench Milwaukee and then took the ball in his hands to crack for 22 points and 11 boards against Sacramento. He’s proven his ability to rebound through contact with three double-doubles in five games.
18th pick Christian Anderson Jr. posed a question. The 6-foot-1 Texas Tech guard hit 108 of his 248 three-pointers in 2025-26 and led the Big 12 in assists with 244. That shooting and playmaking is what led to Charlotte investing in the Minnesota deal, as the Stonies acquired LaMelo Ball in the offseason.
Anderson was inconsistent with his hitting (2-for-11) but his passing was still there. He also had ten assists for Milwaukee, indicating that he can move the ball around when his jumper doesn’t go through. The fastest way for him to get on the court is to limit turnovers, play big men and get the ball up to the basket.
Steinbach and Anderson work together to meet needs. Steinbach is adding versatility, screening and rebounding around Naz Reid, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabaté. Anderson provides a second unit range of action with a lead guard. Both are not guaranteed to get a big break, but both are what Charlotte has focused on in terms of youth and flexibility.
The sophomore surge: Returning leaders looking for a leap
Tidjane Salaün was coming off a third season in the NBA, not his second. The 6th pick of 2024 had to be superior, more decisive and more at ease to build the advantage. His best came against Milwaukee, where he shot 8-of-13 for 21 points and grabbed four steals.
The second-year anchors were Kalkbrenner and Liam McNeeley. Kalkbrenner’s first game against Orlando, which included 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, was more than just about rim protection. His passing indicated that he is a player who can contribute on the offensive end of the floor instead of lobbies. McNeeley netted 28 points and added championship experience from Charlotte’s flawless 2025 campaign.
There is increased expectations for returning players. Salaün needs to convert the flashes for reliable two-way minutes. Kalkbrenner will have to establish his positioning and mobility amid more dynamic NBA lineups. McNeeley will need to prove his shooting and decision-making abilities can be translated to a bigger opportunity. There is no need to dominate nightly, but one must be visible in command.
Fighting for a dream: G-League standouts and undrafted free agents
Kylan Boswell is coming into Vegas with a hefty security blanket after signing a two-way contract. They considered the Illinois guard to be a project because of his speed control, defense, and power. Michael Ajayi also had a two-way contract and Sion James, Cameron Matthews, Wyatt Fricks, Max Mackinnon, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Josiah Allick vied for playing time.
Terrell Brown Jr. was the Greensboro Swarm pathway player. In 2025-26, he averaged 11.2 points, 6.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game for Greensboro. The challenge for players in his shoes is to keep their possessions clean, with no fouls, making open shots and properly fielding their teammates. For players in his position, it’s a matter of making open shots and keeping his possession clean without fouling, getting his teammates organized, and being careful not to make any mistakes.
It is this pressure that makes the Hornets’ summer league roster human. First-rounders receive patience. Bubble players could have just a couple of shifts to get into training camp in Greensboro, an affiliate of the G League, or overseas.
Team strategy: Blaine Mueller’s Vegas blueprint
Leading the way was assistant coach Blaine Mueller, who stayed on with Lee. The 56-37 advantage on the boards, 23 assists and 40 percent shooting from three were all on the right side of the ball in Charlotte’s opening game. Subsequent losses revealed issues, including 22 turnovers against New Orleans and 24 turnovers against Boston.
Mueller’s task went beyond winning for wins. He experimented with handlers, front court partnerships, communication and spacing. It is those usage patterns that inform the front office whether an individual can execute Charlotte’s terminology or whether he needs Greensboro seasoning.
Marquee matchups on the Summer Slate
The best test was against Milwaukee, where Steinbach got to play in the depths of his talents against 13th-pick Nate Ament. Chris Cenac Jr. (27th overall) provided another athletic frontcourt pick from Boston. These games measure processing ability, physical response and composure in a one-on-one competition with the same class of NBA draft 2026 players.
How summer performance affects future NBA odds
Evaluation should be more influenced by Summer League than prediction. While a solid week can help a rookie’s position, fantasy points, or player-prop interest in the preseason, regular-season hitting numbers are more likely to be influenced by talent, trade, injury, and matchup. Vegas results are not a stand-alone forecast, but rather one piece of the puzzle for NBA betting picks.
Steinbach gave the best signs for Charlotte, Anderson had some playmaking and the returning group had mixed evidence. The Hornets didn’t defend their title, but instead, their summer has provided them with a more enlightened view as to who young players may play a role in the upcoming chapter of Buzz City.
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