Tracy McGrady believes the NBA is draining the excitement out of Summer League by treating its biggest young attractions like limited-time appearances.
“I think they’re killing Summer League,” McGrady said on the Cousins podcast. “It’s slowly dying.”
His frustration centers on the uncertainty surrounding highly drafted rookies. Fans arrive in Las Vegas expecting to see the league’s newest prospects, only for many of them to play once or twice before being rested for the remainder of the event.
“There was a lot of excitement about watching these draftees,” McGrady said. “You don’t even know when they’re going to play. You know they play the first game or two, but after that you don’t know if these guys are gonna play.”
Tracy McGrady says NBA summer league is dying because top players don’t play as much:
“I think they’re killing summer league. It’s slowly dying. It was a lot of excitement about watching these draftees. A lot of excitement behind them. You don’t even know when they’re going to… pic.twitter.com/ofzqNGLWm2
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 18, 2026
Teams understandably prioritize health and evaluation over entertainment. Once a rookie has shown enough, organizations often decide there is little value in risking injury during exhibition games. From McGrady’s perspective, however, that cautious approach is damaging the product.
Summer League was built around access, anticipation and the chance to watch future stars before the regular-season spotlight arrives. When the headliners disappear after opening weekend, the event quickly shifts from must-see basketball to a guessing game.
McGrady is not asking teams to treat July like the NBA Finals. He simply wants the league’s most exciting young players to remain visible long enough for fans to enjoy the show.
After all, Summer League cannot showcase the future when the future is already sitting out.
