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July Live Period Preview: Eight story lines to watch the next three weeks

2013 adidas Nations

Malik Newman (Getty Images)

Kelly Kline

2013 adidas Nations

Malik Newman (Getty Images)

Kelly Kline

The July evaluation period will kick off at 5:00 p.m. today. We’ve already told you what the live period is and why it’s important. We’ve given you a list of 15 players to keep an eye on this month and 12 programs that need to make noise this July. And we’ve given you a full breakdown of what grassroots basketball is.

Here are the top eight story lines heading into the next three weeks:

Will the Malik Newman-Diamond Stone package deal materialize?: “‘Package deals’ are all the rage, especially after Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones signed with Duke last fall. Will Newman and Stone hold firm on their rumored package deal? That’s tough to say, but it would make for the best recruiting haul in the country.” - Scott Phillips

“This will impact the way in which a number of programs recruit this summer, and which games head and assistant coaches take in. Who knows if it will happen in the end, but there’s only one way for many of the programs going after both to find out.” - Raphielle Johnson

Will Thon Maker reclassify to 2015? Will Josh Jackson join him?: “This is the major question entering the month of July because Maker could end up as the No. 1 player in 2015 or 2016. Coaches watching the 7-footer in July will likely evaluate him as a 2015 prospect, but that decision won’t be made until this fall when Maker can sit down with academic advisors at high school.” - SP

“Maker isn’t the only elite 2016 recruit that could reclassify. Josh Jackson, who was originally a member of the class of 2015 and repeated the eighth grade, could as well. Maker is the No. 3 recruit in the Class of 2016 right now, according to Rivals. Jackson? He’s No. 1.” - Rob Dauster

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(Steven Maikoski/USA Basketball)

How healthy is Harry Giles and will his knee injury have any lingering effects?: “The No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2016 is Harry Giles. Giles was considered by some to be the best prospect in all of high school basketball when he was a freshman -- that just so happened to be the same year that Andrew Wiggins was a senior. But he suffered a catastrophic knee injury last year that cost him his sophomore season. Will he be back to 100% this summer?” -RD

“The 6-foot-10 Class of 2016 prospect tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus, but returned in May. He suited up for seven games in the Nike EYBL for Team CP3, which will take on The Family in the Peach Jam play-in game.” - Terrence Payne

The big men: where do they land and how do their rankings shake out?: “There are a LOT of elite big men in the 2015 class and many of them remain uncommitted entering the month of July. This means that every July matchup featuring two elite big men will be jammed with a who’s who of major college head coaches.” - SP

“Nine of the top ten recruits in the Class of 2015 are front court players and seven of them are big men. Ben Simmons is the only big man in the top ten that is committed, and only three bigs in the top 40 have pledged to a school. When they do end up committing, where will the dominoes fall?” - RD

Which guards make the leap in 2015?: “This is a very weak class for point guards. And as we once again saw in the NCAA Tournament with UConn and Shabazz Napier, elite point guards get you places in the postseason. Will any new floor generals step up and stand out this July?” - SP

Who are the sleepers that will show up?: “With showcases, camps and tournaments there are ample opportunities for under-the-radar recruits to make a name for themselves this month. We’ve already seen guys like 2015 small forward Ray Smith make the jump into the conversation, and point guard Dennis Smith Jr. assert himself as one of the top guards in 2016 this spring. Who’s next to launch themselves up the rankings?” - TP

Who will land the “superclass” in 2015?: “John Calipari and Kentucky have built themselves a reputation for landing absolutely loaded recruiting classes, year-in and year-out. No one embraces the one-and-done rule quite like Coach Cal. But he’s not alone anymore. Kansas brought in two of the top three picks in their 2013 recruiting class, and this year’s group may actually end up being better in college. And Duke? Well, they have landed Jabari Parker, Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow in the last two classes.” - RD

What will happen with the Lawsons?: “There are three brothers and all are really good at basketball, with Dedric (2015) being the oldest. With their father reportedly looking for an assistant coaching job at the college level, will a program look to make that hire happen with the thought that the three talented sons will follow?” - RJ