Teams on the clock: Who makes the first post-Vegas move?

The NBA’s Summer League has wrapped for another year, but plenty of questions remain unanswered.

Every team had a chance to assess top-tier talent, and a wave of signings is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

What should we watch for? Which players are in the mix for NBA deals? And where will the next move land?

Pete Hooley and Olgun Uluc believe at least four current or former NBL players are firmly in contention for NBA contracts.

“Will Magnay (Tasmania/Memphis) played very well – probably ticked every box he had to that the Grizzlies were asking. This Summer League is a chance for him to showcase what he can do because he doesn’t need the ball in his hand to be successful,” Hooley said.

“Tyrell Harrison (Brisbane/Denver), on the other hand, got the start, filled up the stat sheet, had that poor third game with seven turnovers – yes – but you expect a little hiccup in the road. It’s not really built for him, Summer League, but there’s this two-way watch as we continue to talk about what the week and a half has been.

“There’s still the two-way watch Jack McVeigh and Jack White (both at Atlanta).

“So we’ve got four Aussies essentially on two-way watch and even Alex Toohey (Golden State) on roster spot watch as well … maybe even a couple of others on roster watch.”

“I’m looking at that Atlanta Hawks two-way spot,” Uluc continued.

“The feel is that there is a two-way spot there that is vacant. The two Jacks – Jack White and Jack McVeigh – both on that team. I’m under the impression it’s those two and one other guy who are competing for that third two-way spot.”

Uluc even raised the prospect of the star pair potentially returning to the NBL, should a deal not eventuate in the NBA.

“So we’re keeping an eye on that because there could be NBL teams who do need a marquee,” he said.

“And like we saw, the Wildcats swooped late with a big offer for Lual-Acuil Jr. Perhaps there’s an NBL team that throws a significant offer to one of those guys – the one that doesn’t get the spot – and let’s see if they go to Europe or otherwise.”

Elsewhere, the South East Melbourne Phoenix still have a few key roster spots open as they prepare to overhaul their entire import trio.

“If I had to guess what signing we’ll see next, I’d probably lean towards South East Melbourne Phoenix. I feel like Josh King was very active here,” Hooley said.

“He was making sure that he tries to find the perfect pieces to his puzzle. That’s an exciting team that he’s putting together.

“Perth Wildcats might be another one.”

“The Phoenix lost Omari Moore, so they’re in the hunt for a starting point guard,” Uluc continued.

“And the Perth Wildcats – who that starting point guard is, and the level of that guy – could be the difference between them being a contender for the number one seed versus the number four seed.”

The New Zealand Breakers have been active too, locking in Parker Jackson-Cartwright and now working to build the ideal supporting cast around their marquee man.

“I love the fact that catching up with Dillon Boucher (President of Basketball Operations) and Marc Mitchell (owner) here, they’re talking to Parker Jackson-Cartwright, basically vetting players through PJC, which is what the good teams do,” Hooley said.

“You go to your very best player, your MVP candidate, and say, ‘here are some names I’m thinking about. Who helps get the best out of you, and who would you like to play alongside?’

“So that’s going to be a fascinating watch in that shooting guard role. We know they need a power forward spot as well.”

Pre-season games are now just a month away, with the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season tipping off in a little over seven weeks. The countdown is on.