The NBA Summer League is our first chance to get a look at the top draft picks in action. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hype, we did our best to remain objective when evaluating the relatively overlooked players that have exceeded expectations early on. It’s easy to pay attention to what Jayson Tatum has done for the Boston Celtics or how Lonzo Ball has looked with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there are a handful of other players that have really worked hard to make a strong first impression. Here is a look at the under the radar players turning heads in the NBA Summer League.
SG: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Speaking of making a strong first impression, Mitchell has averaged 4.4 steals per game in NBA Summer League action. He also put up 37 points in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 13th-overall pick from the 2017 NBA Draft has impressed with his ability at both ends of the floor so far. While he needs to become more consistent from beyond the arc, his high-level shot-creating skills and advanced handle have made him stand out at the offensive end. It’s unbelievable that he has averaged 4.4 steals per game over six contests. Mitchell has been the best of the under the radar players that have turned heads in NBA Summer League action.
SG: Bryn Forbes, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio has been as good as any team in the NBA at establishing role players over the years so Forbes is in a good spot. His three-point shooting was a strength coming out of college and he made a strong impression in the Summer League with multiple 30-point performances. Forbes’ shooting ability is his biggest strength but he also has the off-the-dribble skills and overall athleticism to be a key role player for the Spurs this season.
SG: Pat McCaw, Golden State Warriors
With Nick Young in the mix behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors likely won’t have many minutes or McCaw early on in his career. However, McCaw has made a strong impression in the Summer League by putting up solid scoring numbers and showing he can handle an offensive role. While he might not make a major impact in his rookie season his $1.3 million price tag for next year makes him an excellent depth option on the Golden State roster.
PF: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
Collins was the nation’s leader in player efficiency at Wake Forest. He finished second in the NBA Summer League with a monster 32.5 PER. Collins averaged 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds on 59.3-percent shooting while playing 23.1 minutes per game. While he was under the radar heading in to camp, Collins has put on a show with his mix of power, athleticism and coordination including some monster dunks at the rim. The Hawks should have plenty of minutes to hand out this season so Collins should be in the mix. Their front court has been emptied out as Dwight Howard is gone as well as Paul Millsap. Collins’ performance is one (small) reason for Hawks fans to look forward to the next NBA season.
C/PF: Caleb Swanigan, Portland Trail Blazers
Swanigan was a double-double machine at Purdue. He has looked really comfortable in Summer League action, both scoring and passing. While it will take some time for his skill set to translate in the NBA, he has already posted one double-double so far. His rebounding and low-post offense has carried over in to the Summer League and should help him when he arrives in Portland. The Trail Blazers should be able to lean on Swanigan as an option off the bench from the outset this season.
Remember that the Trail Blazers are set in their back court with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. They have to solver their problems up front. Acquiring Jusuf Nurkic at the trade deadline last year likely filled their hole at center while Swanigan could very be the man they need to fill the power forward spot. He’s not flashy but he delivers results. That’s exactly what Portland needs.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
