Since the inception of the NBA, the offseason has primarily been about teams building their rosters for the next season and players resting after a long, grueling season. However, more recently, it has been about player development and showcasing talent for about two weeks with the NBA Summer League. The league is gearing up for this year’s Summer League action, beginning with the 2025 California Classic.
With Dylan Harper Skipping Event, Bronny James Headlines NBA Youngsters In 2025 California Classic
The 2025 California Classic is set to take place over the Fourth of July weekend. With the Golden State Warriors hosting the event, games will take place on July 4, 5, and 8 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
2025 marks the California Classic’s seventh birthday. The California Classic originated when the Sacramento Kings assumed ownership of the Orlando Pro Summer League in 2017. The Kings and Warriors have been sharing in hosting the event in recent years. However, the Kings aren’t participating in this year’s Classic, marking their exclusion for the first time.
After growing from four teams to six in 2023 to eight last season, the 2025 California Classic is back to four squads. Besides the Warriors, the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers are participating in this year’s event.
2025 California Classic Schedule
With four teams participating in the three-day event, it means that every squad will face each other in the round-robin event. Games get underway at 4:30 p.m. (EST) on July 5 with the Heat facing the Spurs. The Warriors and Lakers will meet at 6:30 p.m. (ET) on opening day.
July 5
Heat vs. Spurs, 4:30 p.m.
Warriors vs. Spurs, 6:30 p.m.
July 6
Heat vs. Lakers, 4:30 p.m.
Warriors vs. Spurs, 6:30
July 8
Warriors vs. Heat, TBD
Spurs vs. Warriors, TBD
Top Players and Others To Watch
The NBA summer league is always an exciting time as teams and fans get a first “look” at NBA draft picks and players who could get a shot down the line. Several players are partaking in the project under either a two-way contract or as affiliate players. For example, seven players from the Warriors Summer League squad participated in last year’s California Classic.
San Antonio and Miami are the only two teams in the 2025 California Classic to have first-round draft picks. While the No. 2 overall pick, Dylan Harper, won’t play in San Francisco, No. 14 selection Carter Bryant and the Heat’s first-round pick, Kasparas Jakucionas, will be showcased.
According to Jacob Douglass of SB Nation, Harper is dealing with a nagging groin injury. Douglass added that Riley Minix will also miss the California Classic, as he is still recovering from the shoulder surgery that kept him out for the majority of last season. Minix is a restricted free agent after spending last season with the Spurs on a two-way deal.
Adou Thiero, the Lakers’ No. 36 pick overall, won’t play at all this summer as he is recovering from a knee injury. Thiero is expected to be ready for training camp, NBA Insider Jovan Buha reported.
“Lakers second-round pick Adou Thiero (left knee) won’t participate in the team’s summer league games, per the team,” Buha tweeted. “He’s in the final stages of his return to play process from a knee ailment he dealt with at Arkansas. He’s expected to be fully cleared for training camp.”
Miami Heat
Vladislav Goldin
Vladislav Goldin signed a two-way deal with the Heat after going undrafted out of Michigan. The 7-1 Russian thrives around the rim on both ends of the floor. The 2024-25 All-Big Ten First Team Selection possesses fantastic footwork and is an efficient scorer at the rim while also having the ability to block shots. Additionally, he is a skilled connective playmaker and an excellent rebounder who is working on expanding his shooting range.
Pelle Larsson
Pelle Larsson was traded to Miami immediately after being selected with the No. 44 pick in last year’s draft. The 24-year-old Swede will need to demonstrate that he has improved his shooting during the summer league.
Known for being a proficient shooter coming out of college, Larsson averaged 4.6 points on 43.8% shooting, though he connected on fewer than one three-pointer a contest while shooting 33.7% from deep. He demonstrated versatility, defense prowess, and rebounding ability during his rookie season. It is possible that if Larsson doesn’t show the necessary improvement this summer, the Heat could cut bait, as only about half of his $1.9 million deal for the upcoming season is guaranteed. However, that is unlikely.
Keshad Johnson
Johnson went undrafted last year but immediately signed a two-way contract with Miami. The 24-year-old forward had his deal converted to a standard contract after Christmas due to his impressive play with Sioux Falls in the G-League. He didn’t get much time with the Heat last year, seeing 98 minutes of action in 16 appearances.
Steve Settle III
Steve Settle has signed a training camp and Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat. So, it is likely that the 6-11 forward will eventually join Sioux Falls as an affiliate player. Although Miami only has one player on a two-way deal, he could earn one of those contracts.
Kasparas Jakucionas
Kasparas Jakucionas was projected to be a late lottery pick but fell to the Heat at No. 2o. The 6-6 combo guard, who played one year at Illinois, projects as a good fit with the Heat and should get plenty of run. He could start alongside Tyler Herro from the outset. Shooting and defense are the most significant question marks surrounding the 19-year-old Lithuanian’s game.
Oumar Ball0
Oumar Ball0 is a project and prospect. As a result, the undrafted 7-1 footer is a candidate to earn a two-way contract, though he will have to show that he is capable of playing at the NBA level this summer. Known for his physicality and work around the rim, specifically rebounding and shot-blocking, Ballo needs to improve his offensive game.
Dain Dainja
Dain Dainja is an interesting prospect. The 6-9 forward, a former top 100 recruit, had his waiver denied by the NCAA following the NBA draft. So, the 22-year-old will likely earn at least a training camp deal with someone.
Golden State Warriors
Taran Armstrong
Taran Armstrong went undrafted in 2024 and joined Golden State on a two-way deal at the end of February after spending the first part of the year playing in his native Australia. The 23-year-old point guard, who played two seasons at Cal Baptist, is a restricted free agent. He played exceptionally well in 12 games for Santa Cruz, averaging 11.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists with shooting splits of 51/36.4/56.3.
Armstrong also grabbed 5.8 rebounds and came up with 1.2 steals. The 6-5 guard produced two double-doubles and scored in double-figures 10 times. He needs to continue growing overall, with his primary needs being consistency and improving his free-throw shooting.
LJ Cryer
LJ Cryer has agreed to an Exhibit 10 and training camp deal after going undrafted in 2025. If the 23-year-old point guard impresses, he should have a shot at earning at least a two-way deal if not a standard contract. He entered college as a top-100 prospect, where he was a reliable scorer and one of the best 3-point shooters in Big 12 history.
Blake Hinson
Blake Hinson, a Warriors affiliate player who spent the entire last season with Santa Cruz, is known as a 3-point specialist. The 25-year-old wing averaged 17.1 points, 3.7 threes, and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 45.8/38.4/62.7 in 50 games in the G-League.
Ja’Vier Francis
Ja’Vier Francis is a 6-8 athletic defensive ace who can guard all over the floor. Francis is limited offensively, so if he can demonstrate any offensive ability, he could possibly earn an affiliate or two-way contract.
Chris Manon
Like Francis, Chris Manon is known for his defense. The 6-5 guard spent his first three college seasons at Cornell before transferring to Vanderbilt.
Isaiah Mobley
Isaiah Mobley could be a cheap frontcourt option for the Warriors, who only have 10 players on standard contracts. The 25-year-old forward, who has 23 games of NBA experience, is an NBA-type player.
Mobley is an excellent rebounder and a capable rim protector. Mobley is a good passer and scorer, though he needs to improve his efficiency.
Will Richard
The Warriors traded up with Memphis to select Will Richard with the No. 56 pick. The 6-5 Florida product is a 3-and-D prospect with the ability to shoot it from deep and defend either the two or three. Expect Richard to land on the Dubs’ 18-man roster either on a standard or two-way deal.
Jackson Rowe
Jackson Rowe earned a two-way contract in January after showing improvement in his second season with Santa Cruz. The 28-year-old forward, who appeared in six games with the Warriors, has demonstrated the ability to be a 3-and-D role player who can do a little bit of everything.
Donta Scott
Donta Scott was an affiliate player with the Warriors last year after going undrafted out of Maryland. Scott is a tall, athletic forward who needs to continue developing.
Alex Toohey
Alex Toohey, drafted with the No. 52 pick, is another player slated to make the Warriors’ 18-man roster. Toohey is a highly skilled offensive player with good defensive instincts. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 32 contests for Sydney to earn the Australian NBL’s Next Generation Award.
Chance McMillan
Chance McMillan is an undersized combo guard coming off his most productive college season at Texas Tech. The 6-2 guard, who began his collegiate career at Grand Canyon, is a 3-point marksman. He has signed a training camp and Exhibit 10 deal with the Warriors.
San Antonio Spurs
Carter Bryant
Carter Bryant is arguably the most intriguing prospect playing in the 2025 California Classic. Selected with the No. 14 pick, Bryant is in a fantastic situation with the Spurs and should be among the top rookies in the NBA this season.
Harrison Ingram
Harrison Ingram, who was on a two-way contract with San Antonio last season, is a restricted free agent. The Spurs’ 2024 second-round draft pick had a solid all-around campaign with the G-League Austin Toros. The athletic 22-year-old forward also saw action in five games with the Spurs. The biggest thing he needs to work on is his shooting, producing a slash line of 42.4/28.1/57.1 with the Toros.
David Jones-Garcia
David Jones-Garcia is a scoring wing who signed two two-way deals last season, with Philadelphia and Utah. While the 23-year-old didn’t appear in an NBA game, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in the G League with Mexico City and Salt Lake City.
Jacksen Moni
Jacksen Moni is an intriguing, relatively unknown prospect, playing one season at the DI level with North Dakota State. An undersized center at 6-8, the 22-year-old North Dakota native averaged 20 points with shooting splits of 50.8/40.8/83.7. He is likely headed to the G League as an affiliate player for a team, such as San Antonio.
Jameer Nelson Jr
Jameer Nelson Jr. was an affiliate player for the Spurs last season. The 23-year-old is a scoring point guard who must improve his shooting if he is to have a chance to play in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers
RJ Davis
RJ Davis is one of the top scorers in ACC history. The 6-0 point guard is a little small and is not a great shooter. He has signed an Exhibit 10 and training camp deal with the Lakers.
Eric Dixon
Like Davis, Eric Dixon took advantage of the NCAA extra eligibility this past season. While Dixon didn’t get drafted, the 6-8 forward produced a career season at Villanova, earning third-team All-American honors. He has signed a two-way deal with the Lakers.
Bronny James
Bronny James, as expected, has a lot of work to do on his offensive game. James did see limited action with the Lakers, averaging 2.3 points in 27 appearances. His best game came in March against Milwaukee, as he scored a career-high 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting and dished out five assists.
James wasn’t great in the G-League either. But to his credit, the 6-2 guard did improve as the season went along, though he was a high-volume scorer with South Bay. His main objective this summer should be to improve his shooting and ball handling.
Trey Jemison III
Trey Jemison was part of the Lakers’ rotation after signing a two-year two-way deal in mid-January. The 25-year-old center, who has 63 games of NBA experience, likely won’t play much this summer. He does need to improve as a defensive rebounder and continue to expand his offensive game.
Arthur Kaluma
Arthur Kaluma has signed an Exhibit 10 and training camp deal with the Lakers. A Top 100 recruit in 2021, Kaluma can be a two-way forward due to his motor and all-around skills. He does need to improve his 3-point proficiency.
Dalton Knecht
Dalton Knecht likely won’t get much run this summer, especially if he can be traded. However, the 24-year-old wing could use some expansion of his offensive repertoire.
Julian Reese
Julian Reese, brother of Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, has a chance to earn a training camp deal. Reese is a versatile defender and elite rebounder with a high motor. A Top 100 recruit in 2021, Reese does need to improve his shooting and develop a perimeter game. He also needs to improve his passing skills.
Cole Swider
Cole Swider is looking for an NBA team. The 26-year-old is an NBA-caliber player, although he needs to become a more consistent 3-point shooter to remain in the league. He has appeared in 37 NBA games, including seven with the Lakers during the 2022-23 campaign.
Swider turned in an excellent performance in the G-League in 2024-25. He also produced 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds while canning 1.5 threes at a 35.7% clip in 10 combined games with Detroit and Toronto.
Augustas Marciulionis
Augustas Marciulionis, the son of former NBA player Sarunas Marciulionis, has signed an Exhibit 10 contract and will attend training camp with the Lakers. The 6-4 guard improved each of his four years at St. Mary’s and is a reliable playmaker. He will need to demonstrate that he can consistently knock down his perimeter shots.
Ty Johnson
Ty Johnson has a chance to earn a training camp deal. The undrafted 6-3 guard, who played at UC Davis, improved in each of his college seasons. He led the Big West with 21.1 points per game last year. However, his shooting is a big-time question.
Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images
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