Raptors announce 2018 Las Vegas Summer League schedule

The Raptors still have things to do this summer, setting aside even the NBA Draft and the league’s upcoming free agency period. One of those things is to field a team for the annual Las Vegas Summer League tournament, which kicks off on July 6 in Nevada.

Sensing an appetite for summer basketball, this year ESPN and NBA TV will team up to broadcast all of the games on electric televisions sets around the world. That’s right, for 12 days you can watch all 82 games of LVSL basketball from July 6 straight through to the 17th, including a few contests featuring the Raptors. Another first: all 30 teams will participate in the tourney this year, which makes for an even deeper (or broader) field of competition.

The Raptors, and new head coach Nick Nurse (who will likely not get directly involved), will play its first round of games at the following times:

July 6 at 3pm EST vs. New Orleans Pelicans on ESPNU

July 8 at 3pm EST vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on NBA TV

July 9 at 3:30pm EST vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on NBA TV

The full (very full) schedule is here, with all games listed under the Pacific Time Zone. Be sure to adjust your plans accordingly. Also, keep in mind that every team will play in two more games before the elimination bracket starts up in earnest.

Keep your eyes on HQ for an official announcement as to the players the Raptors will send to Vegas to be part of the tournament. Early guesses include: Alfonzo McKinnie, Malcolm Miller, and Malachi Richardson — after that the field is wide open, with everyone from OG Anunoby to a gaggle of 905ers as potential team members.

We can only assume Toronto is hoping to improve on their 3-2 record from 2017.