Rookie report: Here’s how top 10 NBA draft picks compared in Las Vegas Summer League games
All 30 NBA teams converged on southern Nevada over the past 11 days for the Las Vegas Summer League, an annual event that showcases rookies and other young players trying to establish themselves as pros.
This year’s event featured nine of the top 10 picks from June’s NBA draft, including Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic; Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder; Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets; Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings; and Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons.
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the New York Knicks in Sunday’s championship game at Thomas & Mack Center. Blazers forward Trendon Watford was named MVP of the championship game. Murray is considered one of the leading candidates for tournament MVP, which is expected to be announced Monday.
Murray generated tremendous excitement in Sacramento and a strong buzz around the league with his outstanding play, but he wasn’t the only rookie who shined beneath the bright lights in Las Vegas. Here’s a look at how the top 10 picks in the 2022 draft fared in summer league competition.
No. 1: Paolo Banchero
Banchero only appeared in two games in Las Vegas, but the 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward from Duke showed why Orlando made him the No. 1 pick in the draft. Banchero averaged 20 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks, demonstrating a unique blend of size, athleticism, shooting and playmaking ability. He shot just 40.7% from the field but knocked down 50% from 3-point range and 80% on 10 free throw attempts per game.
No. 2: Chet Holmgren
People saw what they wanted to see in the 7-footer from Gonzaga. Those obsessed with unicorns will point to the rare shooting, shot blocking and ballhandling abilities he possesses. Those who worry about his 195-pound frame will note that he got bodied by the likes of Kenny Lofton Jr. Holmgren appeared in three games in Las Vegas, averaging 12.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 assists. He shot 46.4% from the field, 42.9% from 3-point range and 87.5% at the free throw line.
No. 3: Jabari Smith Jr.
Smith didn’t shoot well but still proved he can score, rebound and defend. The 6-10, 210-pound power forward from Auburn appeared in all five games for Houston, averaging 15.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 assists. He shot 37.7% on 13.8 field goal attempts per game and 25.9% on 5.4 3-point attempts. He recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in Saturday’s finale against Sacramento, but he went 4 of 15 from the field and 1 of 4 from beyond the arc.
No. 4: Keegan Murray
Murray was touted as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the draft. That certainly appeared to be the case in both the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward averages 23.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals over four games in Las Vegas, shooting 50% from the field, 40% from long distance and 80.8% at the foul line. He played Banchero evenly in a double-overtime loss to Orlando and thoroughly outplayed Holmgren with 29 points in a loss to Oklahoma City.
No. 5: Jaden Ivey
Ivey, a 6-4, 200-pound shooting guard from Purdue, appeared in only two games for the Detroit Pistons before suffering an ankle injury. He averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 50% from the field, 50% from 3-point range and 100% at the free throw line. He had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists in his debut against the Blazers. He followed that up with 11 points in the first five minutes against the Washington Wizards before leaving the game due to injury.
No. 6: Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin looked good in three games for the Indiana Pacers before missing the last two games as a precautionary measure due to a sore left big toe. The 6-6, 205-pound shooting guard averaged 19.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 assists. He shot 48.4% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range while converting 76.5% at the free throw line.
No. 7: Shaedon Sharpe
There was tremendous anticipation for Sharpe, the 6-5 ¼, 198-pound shooting guard who never suited up for Kentucky, but he only made one brief appearance for the Blazers. Sharpe logged less than six minutes against the Pistons before leaving with a left shoulder injury that turned out to be a small labral tear. He finished with two points and one turnover, going 1 of 3 from the field and 0 of 2 from 3-point range.
No. 8: Dyson Daniels
Based on feedback from some very high-level NBA people leading up to the draft, the New Orleans Pelicans might have something special in Daniels, a 6-7 ½ guard with a 6-10 ½ wingspan. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see much of him in Las Vegas. Daniels appeared in only one game, logging just eight minutes before suffering a right ankle sprain. He finished with one point, one rebound, two assists and one steal, going 0 of 5 from the field and 0 of 2 from 3-point range.
No. 9: Jeremy Sochan
Sochan, a 6-9, 230-pound combo forward from Baylor, is the only top-10 pick who didn’t suit up at all in Las Vegas. He entered NBA health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 and was ruled out for summer league as a precaution after missing a week of practice. Sochan was regarded as one of the top defensive wings in the draft after averaging 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks as a freshman at Baylor.
No. 10: Johnny Davis
Davis was limited to three games in Las Vegas after experiencing lower back tightness. The 6-5 ¾, 196-pound guard with a 6-8 ½ wingspan averaged 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.3 steals for the Washington Wizards. He shot 29.6% from the field and 33% from 3-point range while converting all six of his free-throw attempts.
