The New Orleans Pelicans head to Las Vegas with more at stake than the scoreboard suggests.
This Summer League is the first real chance to see how the organization looks under new Executive Vice President Joe Dumars, head coach Jamahl Mosley, and assistant coach God Shammgod. Every possession matters because it helps shape what comes next, from training camp decisions to the ongoing rebuild of the roster.
The group in Las Vegas does not feature established NBA stars, but it does include a cluster of players trying to force their way into the conversation for two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 deals, and maybe even a place on New Orleans’ opening-night roster.
One of the most interesting figures in the entire event is not a player at all. God Shammgod will run the Summer League team, giving fans an extended look at one of the league’s most respected player development coaches. He built his reputation on elite ball-handling teaching and offensive creativity, and he arrives after helping develop some of the NBA’s top guards during his time in Dallas.
That makes this tournament an early test of how Jamahl Mosley’s staff plans to develop young players. The details to watch are pretty clear: ball movement, pace, player confidence, offensive spacing, and guard development. If New Orleans looks cleaner and more organized than in past Summer Leagues, Shammgod’s impact could show up fast.
Kobe Bufkin is another name worth tracking closely. The former first-round pick has plenty to prove after injuries and inconsistency kept him from becoming a regular NBA contributor.
He brings athleticism, pick-and-roll feel, and strong finishing around the rim, but Summer League is his chance to remind teams why he was once seen as a future starting guard. If he can run the offense and hit perimeter shots, he could leave Las Vegas as one of the event’s biggest winners.
Then there’s Hunter Dickinson, a player college basketball fans know well. The real question now is how his game holds up against NBA athletes.
At 7-foot-1 and 260 pounds, Dickinson has been one of the most polished post scorers in college basketball over the past several years. His passing and basketball IQ are not in doubt.
What remains to be seen is whether he can handle the defensive demands of the modern NBA, where centers are forced to switch, cover the perimeter, and get back in transition. Summer League should offer an early read on that.
New Orleans also has several undrafted players with a chance to turn a good week into a real opportunity. Melvin Council Jr. is viewed as one of the toughest defensive guards in the tournament.
Chris Bell may be the best perimeter shooter on the roster. Christian Shumate brings elite rebounding and defense.
Jalon Moore offers explosive athleticism and upside. Malik Dia is a physical forward who can score inside and outside.
For all of them, one strong week could change the direction of their professional future.
The way the Pelicans use their roster could also tell us something about what Joe Dumars values. The key questions are straightforward: defense, shooting, positionless basketball, high-motor players, length, and versatility. The lineups and playing time should reveal a lot about what the organization wants moving forward.
A few players also stand out as candidates to surprise. Melvin Council Jr. brings elite competitiveness and strong defensive instincts.
Chris Bell is one of the best shooters on the roster. Jonny O’Neil is a versatile 6-foot-10 forward who can stretch the floor.
Jordan Riley is a physical scorer who plays with relentless aggression. Nate Mensah gives the team a rim protector who can anchor the defense.
Summer League is usually treated like a sideshow, but for a rebuilding team it carries real weight. It is where coaches start installing systems, front offices search for hidden talent, players fight for contracts, and organizations begin identifying future rotation pieces. With Dumars reshaping the Pelicans and Mosley setting a new tone, every practice and every game in Las Vegas matters.
The roster may not be loaded with headline names, but it gives New Orleans a chance to see who can help, who can grow, and who can stick. The final scores won’t define the season, but the performances could shape training camp battles and influence what the Pelicans become next.
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Hunter Dickinsons path with New Orleans took another small but meaningful step on July 4, when he re-signed a two-way contract and kept his NBA pursuit alive after going undrafted in 2025. Rather than take the overseas route, he stayed in the mix with the Pelicans, giving himself another runway to show he can translate his size and skill into a role at the next level.
His next chance comes in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where the Pelicans will get a fresh look at how far he has come. Defense, conditioning and three-point shooting will all be part of the evaluation, and for Dickinson, every possession matters as he tries to turn a developmental opportunity into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
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