NBA Summer League reveals several high draft picks underperforming
A review of the NBA Summer League highlighted a number of recent draft selections who fell short of expectations, raising questions about their immediate impact on their teams.
Several recent NBA draft picks struggled to meet expectations during the recent Summer League in Las Vegas, prompting analysts to reassess their short-term outlooks. Chicago’s 15th-overall pick Dailyn Swain shot just 4-of-31 across four games, missing all seven of his three-point attempts and posting a -0.27 player efficiency rating, the lowest among qualifying participants. While his rebounding numbers were modest, he finished with more assists than turnovers.
Utah’s second-overall selection Darryn Peterson, touted as a potential star guard, recorded four 20-point games but shot 42.3 percent on two-point attempts and posted 26 assists against 24 turnovers in five outings, suggesting he may be better suited as a scorer who requires a dedicated playmaker.
Charlotte’s Christian Anderson struggled with ball handling and size, shooting 7-of-33 from three-point range and showing difficulty against defensive pressure. Oklahoma City’s rookie class also underperformed, with lottery center Aday Mara posting a 30.8 percent turnover rate and point guard Bennett Stirtz appearing less mobile after a physical transformation.
Other notable disappointments included New York’s Mo Diawara, who went 1-of-14 from the field in two games, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Keaton Wagler, who recorded 8-of-24 from three-point range, 17 fouls and limited defensive impact. The analysis noted that while Summer League performance is not a definitive predictor of regular-season success, the collective struggles raise concerns for the teams involved.