With NBA Summer League having concluded, teams are making their moves and locking down the top contributors from Las Vegas. That’s good news for two former Utes, as they will now have a chance to latch onto a roster spot or continue to fight for one in the G League. Both Gabe Madsen and Lawson Lovering have inked Exhibit 10 deals following strong performances in Summer League.
Lovering will head to training camp with the Memphis Grizzlies, who are clearly interested in the big man’s skillset. Memphis has a history of unearthing “diamond in the rough” type players. They worked out Lovering pre-draft and liked what they saw enough to give him a spot on their Summer League team. Lovering had the chance to play at the Huntsman Center a few more times in the Salt Lake City Summer League while the Delta Center undergoes renovations. Lovering posted 10 points and six rebounds against Portland in his best performance of the summer. He’ll have a chance to earn his way onto the team throughout the course of the season, and will likely start the year with the Memphis Hustle in the G League.
Madsen, meanwhile, will continue his journey with the Miami Heat. Madsen played Summer League with the Golden State Warriors, where he had a strong showing as a shooter. His best performance came against the Utah Jazz, where he lit them up for 22 points, sinking six threes in the first half alone. Madsen heads to Miami, which is regarded as one of the best coaching and development staffs in the league. They routinely develop lesser-known players into NBA contributors, with names like Gabe Vincent, Haywood Highsmith, and Duncan Robinson as recent success stories. Madsen will hope to catch on in South Beach, potentially starting the season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League.
If Madsen or Lovering makes it to the NBA, they’ll join a list of former Utes that made it to the big leagues. Currently active players include Jakob Poeltl, Kyle Kuzma, Delon Wright, and recent NBA champ Branden Carlson. Poeltl and Kuzma have been consistent starters since entering the league nearly a decade ago. Wright has bounced around to many different teams and finished last season with the New York Knicks. Still unsigned, it remains to be seen where he will play next season. Carlson finished his rookie year with Oklahoma City and became an NBA champion, potentially in line for a bigger role with the team next year. Carlson played Summer League with the Toronto Raptors last year before catching on in OKC.
These former Utes have shown the aptitude to make an impact at the next level. Alex Jensen and the rest of the coaching staff are hoping to add to those ranks in the near future by showcasing the talents of the numerous new players on The Hill.