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As the NBA’s salary cap hardens, Summer League features affordable players

BY HENRY ABBOTT

Twelve Celtics earned more than Sam Hauser last season, but his play—and his contract—played a major role in Boston’s title run. CELAL GÜNE/ANADOLU VIA GETTY IMAGES

June is the peak of the NBA year: the stars, the Finals, the trophy. And then the draft runs around the internet like an eager puppy, carrying a bundle of trades and free-agent signings. 

The next item on the calendar is the great unveiling of a next generation of stars. There’s a certain enthralled atmosphere at the packed Thomas & Mack Center, eager for a chance to see players like top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher; the mega-tall guy from the NCAA tournament, Zach Edey; and the already-legendary Bronny James take the NBA(-ish) court for the first time.

Though not as famous as the players in the Finals, they’re still famous—at least to a special kind of basketball geek. But two things mar the idea this is about premier players: The first is that nobody cares. Almost all of the millions of the casual fans who…