NBA · 3 months ago

Best Performance From Each NBA Lottery Pick In Summer League

John Canady

Host · Writer

14) Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
Stat Line: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK (6/9 FG, 4/6 3PT) vs. Hornets

Carter Bryant rose up draft boards because of the potential he could become as a 3-and-D player at the next level. Bryant showed his defensive tenacity all throughout the summer league, but it took some time for his offensive game to come around. Nonetheless, when it did, it made it clear why the Spurs and nearly every other team were high on the forward.
1) Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Stat Line: 31 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK (10/21 FG, 3/9 3PT) vs. Spurs

Cooper Flagg bounced back from his lackluster debut with a monster game against the Spurs to prove exactly why he was selected with the top pick. The Duke star showed enough for the team to comfortably shut him down shortly after to avoid risking any injury heading into next season.
2) Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Stat Line: 16 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST (5/12 FG, 0/4 3PT) vs. Mavericks

Dylan Harper played limited games for the Spurs in Summer League, but even in those limited minutes, the versatile guard showed flashes of his upside in which persuaded San Antonio’s front office to stand firm at No. 2 overall despite offers from teams looking to move up.
3) VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Stat Line: 28 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK, 1 STL (13/27 FG, 1/7 3PT) vs. Jazz

VJ Edgecombe undoubtedly took the battle personally in his Summer League debut against Ace Bailey, who many felt should have been the No. 3 overall pick. The Baylor product put together his best game of the summer, recording a double-double on efficient shooting from the floor.
4) Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Stat Line: 19 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB, 2 STL (7/13 FG, 3/8 3PT) vs. Spurs

Kon Knueppel was viewed as the first surprise on draft night, being selected No. 4 overall. The crafty scorer carried that chip on his shoulder, stringing together multiple impressive performances along the run for the Hornets, who eventually were named the Summer League Champions. Knueppel’s best game came against the Spurs, where he put together one of his most complete showings. However, it’s worth noting that the guard finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the Summer League Final against the Kings.
5) Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Stat Line: 18 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST (7/14 FG, 3/5 3PT) vs Grizzlies

Ace Bailey took some time to find his rhythm with the Jazz, but when he did, he proved exactly why Danny Ainge and Utah felt comfortable taking a swing on the Rutgers standout despite the pre-draft rumors that Bailey and his camp were looking to force their way elsewhere. Bailey’s best game came against Memphis as he showed just how impactful he can be in all areas.
6) Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
Stat Line: 21 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST (7/11 FG, 2/6 3PT) vs. Nets

Tre Johnson had raving reviews throughout the entire NBA Draft process, as many considered him to be the most well-rounded scorer in the entire draft class. The SEC prospect took no time to prove that to be true with Washington, averaging 19.5 points throughout the summer league. Nonetheless, his best game came against the Nets, totaling 21 points on efficient shooting splits.
7) Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Hornets
Stat Line: 22 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST (8/15 FG, 1/5 3PT) vs. Thunder

Jeremiah Fears had an up-and-down showing throughout the summer league, but that was expected considering just how raw of a prospect he is. Despite his inconsistency, it’s clear that the guard has all of the tools to be a legit playmaker at the next level. Fears showed that against the Thunder, leaving his mark in multiple areas.
8) Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets
Stat Line: 12 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (4/13 FG, 4/10 3PT) vs. Wizards

Egor Demin was viewed as one of the biggest reaches in the NBA Draft, but the idea of him running the Nets' offense was too good a thought for general manager Sean Marks, who made it clear he was more than comfortable letting Demin develop. The BYU product struggled at times through the summer league, but his best game came against the Wizards.

Denim put together another solid performance against the Magic, totaling 14 points and five rebounds while shooting 5/9 from the floor and 4/8 from three, but his lack of playmaking in the showing was worth noting.
9) Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
Stat Line: 20 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL (8/13 FG, 1/3 3PT) vs. Warriors

Collin Murray-Boyles took time to find his groove with the Raptors throughout summer league, but as the games continued, it was clear he grew more comfortable over time. The South Carolina standout put together an all-around showing vs the Warriors, making it clear what his two-way potential could be.
10) Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
Stat Line: 14 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2 BLK, 1 STL (5/13 FG, 1/6 3PT) vs. Wizards

Khaman Maluach may be the most raw prospect out of this year’s NBA Draft class, but he showcased the potential he has to offer against the Wizards. The talent is there, and while he may be a work in progress, showings like this all but help the Suns feel confident in the selection of the big man.
11) Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Cedric Coward was listed on the Grizzlies Summer League roster, but as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, the team felt it was best to keep him out of action until he was at 100%.
12) Noa Essengue, Chicago Bulls
Stat Line: 21 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST (7/14 FG, 3/8 3PT) vs. Pacers

Noa Essengue was selected for his potential as a defensive player, but against the Pacers, he showed that there’s more to like than just his defensive game. The international product has the tools to be a more than solid two-way player for the Bulls moving forward.
13) Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Stat Line: 17 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST (5/11 FG) vs. Trail Blazers

Before Derik Queen’s summer league was cut short due to an injury, the big man was showcasing why the Pelicans felt confident enough to trade a future first-round pick away just to select him in this year’s NBA Draft. The Maryland product could be a premier stretch big in NOLA with the right development, but to do that, he’ll have to find a way to limit turnovers.

In his two best games of the summer, Queen finished with eight turnovers in one matchup and seven turnovers in another. Still, there’s plenty to like about the Big Ten prospect’s game.
14) Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
Stat Line: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK (6/9 FG, 4/6 3PT) vs. Hornets

Carter Bryant rose up draft boards because of the potential he could become as a 3-and-D player at the next level. Bryant showed his defensive tenacity all throughout the summer league, but it took some time for his offensive game to come around. Nonetheless, when it did, it made it clear why the Spurs and nearly every other team were high on the forward.
1) Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Stat Line: 31 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK (10/21 FG, 3/9 3PT) vs. Spurs

Cooper Flagg bounced back from his lackluster debut with a monster game against the Spurs to prove exactly why he was selected with the top pick. The Duke star showed enough for the team to comfortably shut him down shortly after to avoid risking any injury heading into next season.

Best Performance From Each NBA Lottery Pick In Summer League

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