2009 NBA Summer League Radar

2009 NBA Summer League Rookie Radar
Posted Jul 11 2009 11:13PM

Day 2
Name: Omri Casspri
Team: Sacramento
Status: First-round pick (No. 23) out of Israel
A younger version of: The 6-9 forward has been compared to Andres Nocioni and Hedo Turkoglu. He runs the floor well, has good hands but still needs to improve his ball-handling. He’s committed 10 turnovers in two games. He just turned 21 and was considered one of the rising stars in Europe playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Needs to improve strength to be effective in the NBA.

Chances of making team: As a first-round pick, Casspri is set. Playing time is hardly a given, even with a young team that’s rebuilding under new coach Paul Westphal. Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia and Nocioni are among those who man the wing spots for the Kings. “I’m just trying to get my rhythm,” Casspri said Saturday after scoring 11 in a 98-95 overtime loss to Golden State. “It’s our second game. We’re just going step by step. The situation on this team is I can produce as soon as I can find my rhythm.”
-- Art Garcia

Day 1
Name: Chase Budinger
Team: Houston
Status: Second-round pick (No. 44) by Detroit, traded to Houston
A younger version of: At 6-foot-7 and 218, he's got the bounce and body type of Richard Jefferson. One personnel director who worked Budinger out before the Draft was impressed with his athleticism, but thought the San Diego native needed a little more grit to his game. Budinger does have a nice shot and above-average court awareness. The Arizona product had a NBA Summer League debut with 11 points (5-of-11 shooting) and five rebounds in 20 minutes Friday against Golden State.

Chances of making team: Nothing is guaranteed as a second-round pick and Budinger knows it. He’s also going to a team in transition, with the playing status of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady up in the air for the upcoming season. "It’s not all up to me," he said of his odds of sticking with the Rockets. “I’ve got to keep playing hard, listening to the coaches and do all the things they ask of me.”
-- Art Garcia

• Watch NBA.com All-Access video with Chase Budinger