Michigan State Basketball: Spartans in the NBA, Summer 2021 update

There have been a lot of former Michigan State basketball stars making headlines this summer in the NBA.

Whether it’s Aaron Henry signing with the 76ers’ Summer League team or Draymond Green helping Team USA win the gold medal in the Olympics, there have been plenty Spartans in the NBA making moves and it can be tough to keep up sometimes.

So that’s what we’re here for.

Let’s take a look at the summer update for the Spartans in the NBA.

• Draymond Green helped the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team to a gold medal this summer in Tokyo.

This marks the second consecutive gold for the Saginaw native after he triumphed with the United States in the Rio games back in 2016. Green was the defensive anchor and vocal leader of an American unit that took down three international basketball powers in Spain, Australia, and France (all clubs loaded with NBA experience) during an impressive run to claim the right to the throne as the world’s top hoops nation.

With Steph Curry still in his prime (and as potent as ever shooting from deep), and his healthy “splash brother” Klay Thompson back in the fold, the Warriors have a few more deep playoff runs left in the tank. Green will be tasked with mentoring his eventual replacement in promising ultra explosive rookie forward Jonathan Kuminga.

The versatility, basketball IQ, defensive prowess, and overall toughness of Green sustain his excellence. He’s quietly building a convincing case for Hall of Fame consideration. It’s difficult to form an argument against a player who plays such a pivotal role in accumulating so many monumental victories on the biggest stages of basketball.

• Speaking of winning it all, former Spartan Bryn Forbes was a key reserve for the Milwaukee Bucks as they defeated the Phoenix Suns to claim the 2021 NBA championship.

Forbes averaged 10 points per game and buried 45 percent of his three-point shots this past season as a vital role player alongside Milwaukee’s big three (Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Giannis Antetokounmpo).

Soon after bagging a ring, he signed a free-agent contract to return to the San Antonio Spurs, the franchise that he broke into the league with and where he played his first four seasons.

• Sticking with updates on the products of Tom Izzo’s system, two recent NBA trades could prove to be beneficial for a pair of college stars who once called the Breslin Center their home.

The Washington Wizards have dealt their alpha point guard to the Los Angeles Lakers. This may be a golden opportunity for Cassius Winston to secure an uptick in minutes. Secondly, the Memphis Grizzlies have sent big man Jonas Valanciunas to the New Orleans Pelicans. This transaction will potentially open the door for Xavier Tillman to see the floor more often.

• On the other end of the spectrum, Gary Harris wasn’t so lucky.

The Orlando Magic selected Jalen Suggs in the NBA Draft this past July after he slid to pick five. Many suspected that the Toronto Raptors would snatch him up at four but they instead went with Scottie Barnes in a surprise move. Suggs instantly becomes the focal point of the team and their backcourt quickly has become crowded with recent first-round selections, Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, R.J. Hampton. It will be interesting to see how minutes are divided up between these handful of players.

Regardless of how it shakes out, Suggs will dominate the ball and immediately be handed the keys to the offense. This will cut down on the shots, playing time, and opportunities that Harris will have.

• The writing is on the wall for Denzel Valentine as the Chicago Bulls spent a small fortune this offseason bolstering their perimeter rotation, essentially making Valentine expendable.

Zach LaVine is their top weapon but in recent weeks, they went out and signed Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso. Then Big Ten stud Ayo Dosunmu fell into their laps on draft night. He also has Coby White ahead of him in the pecking order which further dims his hopes of remaining in a Chicago uniform.

Essentially, Valentine is being forced out of the Windy City.

• Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant give Memphis one of the NBA’s most exciting young inside-out duos.

Jaren should be able to make a positive impact with the Grizzlies for many years to come thanks to his unique skillset. You don’t see many players with the height and length of Jackson Jr. who can shoot and defend the way he does.

• The verdict is still out on Aaron Henry and how he fits into Philadelphia’s future plans.

It’s still too early to tell what type of impact he will have within the 76ers’ organization.

• An incredible finish to the 2020-21 NBA season left Miles Bridges in good standing in Charlotte.

Bridges’ playing style, strength, superior athleticism, and improved shooting make him a perfect running mate for LaMelo Ball and the desire of the Hornets to play up-tempo basketball.