Very Rushed Summer League Grades For The Top 5 Picks
NBA Summer League action between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs
The NBA Summer League has come around, and Vegas is filled with loads of talent this year. Big names like Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith Jr have now tasted semi-NBA glory. However, with most teams playing 2-3 games, the sample size is tiny, and data is also very limited. So grades will fluctuate from large to small depending on these players and their next performance.
Pick 1: Paolo Banchero | A
Paolo Banchero in his first NBA Summer League action.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Duke forward only played in two games due to the Magic shutting down his summer league season. Still, the forward is the entire package. He can pass, defend, and shoot at a high level and carries a 250-pound frame at 19 years old. Despite early rumors that made Jabari Smith Jr. the favorite to go first overall, there wasn’t any doubt about Banchero going first. Despite his efficiency and turnover woes, I’d still give Banchero an A for his summer league debut. He won his two games, the second being a double-overtime game, while playing decently in both games. He gave effort on defense, and when he was off the ball, he got his own without hijacking the offense. Simply put, the Magic saw what they needed and was not disappointed.
Pick 2: Chet Holmgren | A-
Chet Holmgren at the NBA 2K23 Summer League
Holmgren balled his first game. The No. 2 overall selection had 26 points, seven rebounds, and six blocks, splashing four threes and stunting some off-the-dribble shooting as well. The kid is skilled; if nothing else, he’s shown an understanding of how to put it down on the deck and create his own offense. His rim protection is a great value add, and his height and length will undoubtedly translate to the highest level. But the suspicions people had are starting to show up as well.
Physically we got an example of what we’ll get when he faces the giants of the NBA. Kenny Lofton Jr., an undrafted rookie, took Holmgren to the house for 19 points in 23 minutes. That said, this won’t happen too often as most traditional centers don’t play at this level anymore. Instead, larger and more skilled wings and forwards will be attacking him. We have no clue what’s to come but so far, so good with Holmgren.
Pick 3: Jabari Smith Jr. | B-
Jabari Smith Jr. at the NBA 2K23 Summer League
In my eyes, the 19-year-old 6-foot-10 forward from Auburn has played four games of Summer League basketball and has been less than desired. He showed his two-way ability and will be a more valuable defender for the next few years. But his handle isn’t very polished, and he struggled in the first game offensively. Back to defense, he’s a mismatch nightmare. He slides his feet well against smaller springy guards and handles contact well. Off the ball, he’s engaged, but time will iron out some of the glaring mistakes.
Pick 4: Keegan Murray | A+
Keegan Murray at the NBA 2K23 Summer League
I was thrilled with the pick the Kings made this summer at Barclays. Murray is a hooper with great size and an offensive game that is tailor-made for the modern NBA. He doesn’t do too much or too little. He’s exploded and is the third-leading scorer in the summer league, averaging 23.3 points per game. Murray, listed at 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds, has a strong and wide base and attacks space with it well. He’s a bit slow on both sides, but he takes up space well, shifting ball handlers into the walls of the defense. Again, with three-level scoring, a strong frame, and a great basketball IQ, it's looking like the Kings got a real one on their hands.
Pick 5: Jaden Ivey | B
The electrifying Ivey played two games during his summer league tenure due to a knee injury. He had 20 points, six, and six assists in his only complete outing and had proved to be a dynamic scorer and playmaker. The Pistons have a real opportunity to create a high-level offense between Ivey and his soon-to-be co-stars, Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham. However, he did look lost at times on defense outside of pass lane protection. He also made poor decisions, committing five turnovers and five fouls.