The NBA first held its Las Vegas summer league in 2004. It featured six teams: the Boston Celtics , Cleveland Cavaliers , Denver Nuggets , Orlando Magic , Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards .
The clubs combined to play a 13-game schedule at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus, but no champion was crowned. The annual event has since grown into the premier summer showcase for young NBA prospects, recently drafted players and players on G League affiliate rosters.
All 30 NBA teams have participated in the event since 2018, with the Golden State Warriors taking home the first summer league title in 2013. Check out a list of the NBA summer league champions by year below.
2025: Charlotte Hornets 2024: Miami Heat 2023: Cleveland Cavaliers 2022: Portland Trail Blazers 2021: Sacramento Kings 2020: Canceled because of COVID-19 2019: Memphis Grizzlies 2018: Portland Trail Blazers 2017: Los Angeles Lakers 2016: Chicago Bulls 2015: San Antonio Spurs 2014: Sacramento Kings 2013: Golden State Warriors Check out the ESPN NBA summer league hub page for the latest news, analysis, scores, schedules, standings and more.