Grading the Lottery Picks In 2015 NBA Summer League

Grading the Lottery Picks In 2015 NBA Summer League

By Reed Hunnicutt

July 14, 2015

Grading the Lottery Picks In the NBA Summer League

D'Angelo Russell NBA Summer League — Lottery picks are always under a spotlight in NBA Summer League games. Cameron Payne of Oklahoma City didn’t play in the summer league, but here are the grades so far for the lottery picks who have participated.

Lottery picks are always under a spotlight in NBA Summer League games. Cameron Payne of Oklahoma City didn’t play in the summer league, but here are the grades so far for the lottery picks who have participated.

1. Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns NBA Summer League

1. Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns NBA Summer League — The top pick has shown his potential and inexperience in each of his first three games. He’s averaging a solid 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, but he’s also committing 3.7 turnovers and over seven fouls a game. It’s not a good sign that Towns is almost fouling out with the summer league limit of 10 fouls, but his all-around game has been on display in his first taste of NBA action.

Grade: B

The top pick has shown his potential and inexperience in each of his first three games. He’s averaging a solid 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, but he’s also committing 3.7 turnovers and over seven fouls a game. It’s not a good sign that Towns is almost fouling out with the summer league limit of 10 fouls, but his all-around game has been on display in his first taste of NBA action.

Grade: B

2. D’Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell NBA Summer League

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2. D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell NBA Summer League — Russell has had a huge issue taking care of the ball with his 6.7 turnovers per game. The worst part is that his turnovers have increased every game and his assists have declined. His court vision is exceptional, but he needs to learn how to make better decisions. He is averaging a respectable 10.0 points and 5.3 rebounds a game, although his 33 percent shooting has been subpar. He’ll need time to learn how to be an efficient NBA PG.

Grade: C+

Russell has had a huge issue taking care of the ball with his 6.7 turnovers per game. The worst part is that his turnovers have increased every game and his assists have declined. His court vision is exceptional, but he needs to learn how to make better decisions. He is averaging a respectable 10.0 points and 5.3 rebounds a game, although his 33 percent shooting has been subpar. He’ll need time to learn how to be an efficient NBA PG.

Grade: C+

3. Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor NBA Summer League

3. Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor NBA Summer League — Okafor has looked like a dominant low-post player. Aside from having a number of careless turnovers, the Duke big man has put up 15.3 points and nine boards a game to go along with some nice passes out of the post. He’s missed some bunnies around the rim, but it’s a good sign that he’s getting good looks in the paint to make up for his poor shooting at the line.

Grade: A-

Okafor has looked like a dominant low-post player. Aside from having a number of careless turnovers, the Duke big man has put up 15.3 points and nine boards a game to go along with some nice passes out of the post. He’s missed some bunnies around the rim, but it’s a good sign that he’s getting good looks in the paint to make up for his poor shooting at the line.

Grade: A-

4. Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis NBA Summer League

4. Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis NBA Summer League — The 7-foot-3 Latvian has managed to show off his skill set in limited minutes. Porzingis has scored 10.5 points and had 1.5 blocks a game on 60 percent shooting. His lack of strength has been evident, but his tenacity in the paint is a good sign for a player who some labeled as soft. He has attacked the rim, gotten to the line and shown composure under pressure. However, he only has six rebounds and no assists through two games.

Grade: B+

The 7-foot-3 Latvian has managed to show off his skill set in limited minutes. Porzingis has scored 10.5 points and had 1.5 blocks a game on 60 percent shooting. His lack of strength has been evident, but his tenacity in the paint is a good sign for a player who some labeled as soft. He has attacked the rim, gotten to the line and shown composure under pressure. However, he only has six rebounds and no assists through two games.

Grade: B+

5. Mario Hezonja

Mario Hezonja NBA Summer League

5. Mario Hezonja

Mario Hezonja NBA Summer League — Hezonja is a scorer who put up 13.0 points a game in two games, but he only shot 29 percent on 14 three-point attempts. Besides the numbers, he showed some star potential with some ridiculous dunks and a gutsy game-winning three in Orlando’s first game. He hasn’t put up terrific numbers, but he has played well for his first time competing in America.

Grade: B

Hezonja is a scorer who put up 13.0 points a game in two games, but he only shot 29 percent on 14 three-point attempts. Besides the numbers, he showed some star potential with some ridiculous dunks and a gutsy game-winning three in Orlando’s first game. He hasn’t put up terrific numbers, but he has played well for his first time competing in America.

Grade: B

6. Willie Cauley-Stein

Willie Cauley-Stein NBA Summer League

6. Willie Cauley-Stein

Willie Cauley-Stein NBA Summer League — Cauley-Stein has exceeded expectations offensively for the Kings. He has scored 13.0 points on 50 percent shooting off of constant activity around the rim. His defense has lived up to the hype with his 2.7 blocks per game while showing off his quick feet defending guards off of pick-and-rolls. He could benefit from gaining a little more strength, but he has been impressive.

Grade: A

Cauley-Stein has exceeded expectations offensively for the Kings. He has scored 13.0 points on 50 percent shooting off of constant activity around the rim. His defense has lived up to the hype with his 2.7 blocks per game while showing off his quick feet defending guards off of pick-and-rolls. He could benefit from gaining a little more strength, but he has been impressive.

Grade: A

7. Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay NBA Summer League

7. Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay NBA Summer League — In terms of playing point guard, Mudiay has been terrific setting up teammates and making the right plays off of drives. His 7.3 assist average is one of the best in the summer league. His shooting has been poor from everywhere on the court, with 14 percent from three and 50 percent from the line. Despite his shooting, he has looked like the best point guard in the class.

Grade: A-

In terms of playing point guard, Mudiay has been terrific setting up teammates and making the right plays off of drives. His 7.3 assist average is one of the best in the summer league. His shooting has been poor from everywhere on the court, with 14 percent from three and 50 percent from the line. Despite his shooting, he has looked like the best point guard in the class.

Grade: A-

8. Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson NBA Summer League

8. Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson NBA Summer League — Johnson said on draft night that he was best player in the draft, and to this point he is backing it up. The Arizona product has put up 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game while shooting 58 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. He has look composed and confident on both ends of the court. The only knock on him could be his 59 percent free throw shooting. Johnson will be a starter if he can keep this up.

Grade: A+

Johnson said on draft night that he was best player in the draft, and to this point he is backing it up. The Arizona product has put up 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game while shooting 58 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. He has look composed and confident on both ends of the court. The only knock on him could be his 59 percent free throw shooting. Johnson will be a starter if he can keep this up.

Grade: A+

9. Frank Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky NBA Summer League

9. Frank Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky NBA Summer League — Kaminsky has been strong for the Hornets. Aside from his average post defense, Kaminsky has been a pleasant surprise in the summer league. If he can put up 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game during the regular season, he will be the steal of the draft. His post IQ is the most impressive aspect of his game. Even though he's only shooting 43 percent from the floor, he is taking good shots. Kaminsky has been better than advertised so far.

Grade: A

Kaminsky has been strong for the Hornets. Aside from his average post defense, Kaminsky has been a pleasant surprise in the summer league. If he can put up 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game during the regular season, he will be the steal of the draft. His post IQ is the most impressive aspect of his game. Even though he's only shooting 43 percent from the floor, he is taking good shots. Kaminsky has been better than advertised so far.

Grade: A

10. Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow NBA Summer League

10. Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow NBA Summer League — Winslow has played minimal time in Miami’s last couple games, but he averaged 15.3 points through the first three outings. He also played solid defense while getting to the line 30 times in that three-game stretch. Winslow has been unable to find his three-point shot and was invisible for chunks of each game during the Orlando Summer League. He has played adequately for a player who should receive immediate minutes for the Heat.

Grade: B+

Winslow has played minimal time in Miami’s last couple games, but he averaged 15.3 points through the first three outings. He also played solid defense while getting to the line 30 times in that three-game stretch. Winslow has been unable to find his three-point shot and was invisible for chunks of each game during the Orlando Summer League. He has played adequately for a player who should receive immediate minutes for the Heat.

Grade: B+

11. Myles Turner

Myles Turner NBA Summer League

11. Myles Turner

Myles Turner NBA Summer League — Turner was the star of the Orlando Summer League. He put up a ridiculous line of 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocks a game. Throughout each game, Turner seemed comfortable posting up from about 15 feet and creating havoc with his soft touch and solid length. He did go three games without an assist, but the Pacers have a bright future if Turner can do anywhere near that on a consistent basis.

Grade: A+

Turner was the star of the Orlando Summer League. He put up a ridiculous line of 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocks a game. Throughout each game, Turner seemed comfortable posting up from about 15 feet and creating havoc with his soft touch and solid length. He did go three games without an assist, but the Pacers have a bright future if Turner can do anywhere near that on a consistent basis.

Grade: A+

12. Trey Lyles

Trey Lyles NBA Summer League

12. Trey Lyles

Trey Lyles NBA Summer League — Lyles has scored 10.3 points and pulled in 4.6 rebounds a game. He has been inconsistent with his scoring, and he has settled for too many contested jumpers. His free throw shooting has been uncharacteristically bad, and he hasn’t been as aggressive on the backboard as a 6-foot-10 post should be. Lyles has a ton of talent that will require some time to translate to the NBA.

Grade: B-

Lyles has scored 10.3 points and pulled in 4.6 rebounds a game. He has been inconsistent with his scoring, and he has settled for too many contested jumpers. His free throw shooting has been uncharacteristically bad, and he hasn’t been as aggressive on the backboard as a 6-foot-10 post should be. Lyles has a ton of talent that will require some time to translate to the NBA.

Grade: B-

13. Devin Booker

Devin Booker NBA Summer League

13. Devin Booker

Devin Booker NBA Summer League — Booker is a shooter who has missed all eight of his three-point attempts. He’s shooting 26 percent overall in 28 minutes. He is playing solid defense on the perimeter and his 4.5 rebounds is respectable for a shooting guard. Booker looked flustered in his first two games, so it could just be a case of nerves.

Grade: D

Booker is a shooter who has missed all eight of his three-point attempts. He’s shooting 26 percent overall in 28 minutes. He is playing solid defense on the perimeter and his 4.5 rebounds is respectable for a shooting guard. Booker looked flustered in his first two games, so it could just be a case of nerves.

Grade: D

14. Cameron Payne

Cameron Payne Thunder uniform

14. Cameron Payne

Cameron Payne Thunder uniform — Due to a broken finger suffered in pre-draft workouts, Payne has yet to play in the NBA Summer League. That bothers him since he's not able to learn the NBA game or show off his skills in front of the Thunder's coaches and players, but he's a solid pickup for a team that will have its best player back in 2015 and a retooled roster.

Grade: N/A

Due to a broken finger suffered in pre-draft workouts, Payne has yet to play in the NBA Summer League. That bothers him since he's not able to learn the NBA game or show off his skills in front of the Thunder's coaches and players, but he's a solid pickup for a team that will have its best player back in 2015 and a retooled roster.

Grade: N/A

Reed Hunnicutt is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @rd_hunnicutt04, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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