NBA Summer League Best Bets (July 9): Top Picks AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson Featured In Wizards vs. Jazz Matchup

The NBA Summer League is getting underway today in Las Vegas with seven games featuring many of the top picks from the NBA draft. Unlike the California Classic and Salt Lake City, every team has a squad in Vegas this week. This will give fans a chance to see — and bet on — many of the league’s newest stars.

Now, figuring out what the NBA Summer League Best Bets are isn't as simple as backing one of the top title contenders. Rosters are comprised primarily of recent draft picks, G League players, and other young players hoping to make a roster. Head coaches are seldom involved, and some teams do not have assistant coaches taking over the role.

(Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)

So, betting on the NBA Summer League can be a challenge, but that’s what I’m here for. Let’s take a look at the odds for some of the games involving a few of this year’s top draft picks, such as AJ Dybantsa (Washington Wizards), Darryn Peterson (Utah Jazz), Darius Acuff Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), and Yaxel Lendeborg (Golden State Warriors).

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2026 NBA Summer League Odds (July 9)

Here are the odds according to BetRivers for the three games I’ll be focusing on today:

Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks

• Spread: Golden State -4.5 (-107) | Dallas +4.5 (-121)
• Moneyline: Golden State -182 | Dallas +140
• Total: O/U 178.5 (-120/-117)

Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards

• Spread: Utah -2.5 (-108) | Washington +2.5 (-121)
• Moneyline: Utah -139 | Washington +107
• Total: O/U 185.5 (-121/-115)

Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers

• Spread: Sacramento -2.5 (+100) | Los Angeles +2.5 (-130)
• Moneyline: Sacramento -132 | Los Angeles +100
• Total: O/U 180.5 (-115/-121)

NBA Summer League Best Bets (July 9)

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Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks

Golden State fans may be a bit more concerned about whether LeBron James is coming to town right now. But the team may have something even more exciting going on in the NBA Summer League.

After sending two squads to the California Classic, the team has one going to Vegas featuring the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Yaxel Lendeborg, Lajae Jones (54th pick), and three guys who logged time with the team last season, Will Richard, LJ Cryer, and Malevy Leons.

Lendeborg has received rave reviews for his play in the two games he appeared in, averaging 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. He’s a little old for a rookie at 24, but he appears more polished and ready to contribute sooner rather than later. The team will probably want to see him show progress on the defensive end in Vegas, but the early returns on the offensive end have been promising.

As for the Mavericks, all eyes will be on another former Michigan standout, Morez Johnson. However, it remains to be seen just how he’ll be used in Summer League play. Johnson’s stat sheet in college didn’t always reflect the impact he had on the court.

Part of the mystery, however, will be how new assistant coach-turned Summer league head coach Jim Boylan will utilize him. Boylan only recently joined Dusty May’s staff in Dallas. He has barely had time to put names to faces, let alone figure out how to get the most out of the roster.

• My Pick: Golden State -4.5 (-107, BetRivers)

Boylan has a reputation for developing talent. But he hasn’t had a chance to figure out what talent he is working with in Vegas. Tonight’s game will likely serve as more of a chance for him to see what he’s working with. Golden State, on the other hand, has already played together.  It will not have the same kinks to work out as the Mavericks do. Their time in the California Classic will pay off here. They will look like the better, more prepared team of the two.

Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards

This game will, of course, be the one that gets the most attention today. It features the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, AJ Dybantsa (Washington), and the No. 2 Pick, Darryn Peterson (Utah). Peterson probably has a slight advantage heading into tonight’s game. He has already played two games with his team in the Salt Lake City Summer League. In those games, he posted solid numbers, averaging 26.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game.

Any fears that the injury issues he dealt with in college were forgotten in Salt Lake. He showed fans that he could still be the elite scorer he was in high school. But he also received praise for being a solid distributor, as well, after recording 25 points and 12 assists in the game against Memphis.

But the worst thing bettors and fans can do is overlook the Wizards and AJ Dybantsa just because Peterson already has a couple of games under his belt. Dybantsa averaged 25+ points per game for BYU last season, showcasing his impressive array of athletic tools. However impressive they are, it’s his basketball IQ that has been getting high marks.

One of his new teammates, Will Riley, had this to say about Dybantsa when asked what stands out so far (ClutchPoints):

Honestly, how intelligent he is. He's a very smart player for sure. Because I remember when I came in... adjusting to the defense and stuff, but he gets it right away. He's already there.

• My Pick: Jazz -2.5 (-108, BetRivers)

I have to go with the experience in this case. Summer League is a place where elite scorers like Peterson and Dybantsa can shine. They give individual talents a chance to shine as defenses are seldom at their best. But Peterson has the edge in this contest, having already played in a couple of games. While Dybantsa and the Wizards will be figuring things out, Peterson and the Jazz will be looking to build on and fine-tune what they’ve already done.

Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Like most of the games in the Summer League, this one will showcase a pair of exciting young rookies, Sacramento’s Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7 pick) and Los Angeles’ Keaton Wagler (No. 5 pick).

Acuff got his feet wet at the California Classic, where he was instrumental in the Kings going 3-0. He led the event in scoring with 23.5 points per game, along with 2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. However, while he played well and showed a lot of promise, he also showed a lot of room for improvement. Acuff made only a third of his shots (16-48) and recorded seven assists and five turnovers.

In Vegas, the Kings will want to see Acuff become more efficient with the ball and do a better job of getting his teammates involved. Still, for a franchise that has been an NBA doormat in recent years, the fanbase may be satisfied simply seeing his scoring ability on display.

As for the Clippers, this could be a real test for Keaton Wagler. With the team dealing Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors, Wagler has a clear path to a meaningful role. To seize it, he’ll need to show that the poise, floor-general instincts, and high basketball IQ that helped turn Illinois into a Final Four team last season can translate quickly to the NBA.

• My Pick: Sacramento -2.5 (+100, BetRivers)

As impressive as Wagler was at Illinois last season, I can’t get behind him and the Clippers to beat the Kings tonight. We haven't seen how he and the Clippers will play. But we have seen Acuff and the Kings in action. Acuff has plenty of stuff to work on, but we know he can put some points on the board. That, along with the familiarity the Kings' roster has already established, will be enough for Sacramento to cover.