Las Vegas, NV – With the 2014 Las Vegas Summer League now complete, we take a look at how each draft pick performed in the event. Below is a power ranking of the performance:
1. Doug McDermott, Chicago Bulls (Pick 11): McDermott scored at a high level in the summer league and was the only rookie named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team. He averaged 18.0 points per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 12-of-27 (44.4%) from three-point range. The 6-foot-8 small forward is an exceptional shooter who was decent on the defensive end. He also averaged 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest to show his all-around contributions. McDermott could very well become a starter as a rookie.
2. Jordan McRae, Philadelphia 76ers (Pick 58): McRae led all rookies in scoring, averaging 21.0 points per game in Vegas on 50 percent shooting. The ultra-lengthy 6-foot-6 shooting guard was 6-of-16 (37.5%) from three-point range and added 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest. He’s a quality defender due to his wingspan while he can also get into the lane and score at will.
Greg McDermott
3. T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns (Pick 14): Warren showcased his elite scoring ability in Vegas. The 6-foot-8 small forward averaged 17.8 points per game on 54.4 percent shooting. He didn’t knock down a three-pointer, but was able to hit mid-range jumpers or floaters at a high level. Warren understands who he is as a player and doesn’t let his lack of athleticism effect his game. He also averaged 4.8 rebounds per contest.
4. Russ Smith, New Orleans Pelicans (Pick 47): The ultra quick point guard led the Vegas Summer League in assists per game and also had no issues finding his own offense. Smith averaged 16.0 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and 5-of-14 (35.7%) from behind the arc. The 6-foot Smith faced questions regarding his size and ability to become a true floor general, but looked more than capable running the offense in Vegas. He will, however, need to limit his 4.2 turnovers he committed per game.
5. Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers (Pick 46): The 6-foot-5 combo guard averaged 15.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and 8-of-19 (42.1%) from deep. He played mainly off the ball with Kendall Marshall on the roster but was able to score at a high level. Clarkson also had a game-winning tip-in against the Warriors. The question moving forward is if he can develop into a point guard or if will primarily play off the ball. Clarkson was still one of the top surprises from the event and should be on the roster at the start of the season.
Jabari Parker
6. Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks (Pick 2): Parker averaged 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in Vegas. He showcased an array of scoring moves to create space and either knock down the mid-range jumper or attack the rim. Parker flashed some athleticism and was above average on the defensive end. He was surprisingly just 2-of-11 from three-point range while he also averaged 5.0 turnovers per game.
7. Andrew Wiggins, Cleveland Cavaliers (Pick 1): While Wiggins was considered a raw prospect coming out of the draft, the 6-foot-8 wing turned in a quality summer league. He averaged 15.5 points per game with 3.5 rebounds. Wiggins showed the ability to defend at a high level while he also had some flashes on the offensive end. He used a nice step back move to create space but will need to improve as a three-point shooter, as he was just 2-for-13 from behind the arc.
8. Gary Harris, Denver Nuggets (Pick 19): Harris opened the summer league with a 33-point showing, but was somewhat inefficient from that point on. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard was 32.1% from the floor and 12-of-37 (32.4%) from deep. He did impress as a defender and averaged an additional 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 2.0 assists per game. Harris should be a nice two-way player in Denver.
Andrew Wiggins
9. Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves (Pick 13): Considered to be a prospect years away from becoming an NBA contributor, LaVine showed promise in Vegas. The 6-foot-5 combo guard ran the point on occasions and looked confident as the primary ball handler. He averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 39.7 percent from the floor and 5-of-19 (26.3%) from three. LaVine provided some highlights with his soaring dunks and played above expectations.
10. Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz (Pick 23): Hood had an up and down summer league with 29-point, 19-point, 9-point, 7-point, and 3-point performances. He did show the ability to shoot the ball with a 42.1 percent showing from the floor and 10-of-28 (35.7%) display from three. The 6-foot-8 wing also defended well and contributed 4.2 rebounds per game. Hood is a “3-and-D” type of prospect who should be ready to contribute in Utah.
11. P.J. Hairston, Charlotte Hornets (Pick 26): The 6-foot-6 shooter wasn’t shy offensively, as he took an event-high 120 shot attempts in Vegas. He did average 18.3 points per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 21-of-61 (34.4%) from behind the arc. Hairston should be an offensive spark plug off the bench in Charlotte.
Rodney Hood
12. Adreian Payne, Atlanta Hawks (Pick 15): The 6-foot-10 stretch four averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in Vegas. Payne was 37.5 percent from the floor and 9-of-30 (30%) from deep. He’s an athletic, high energy mismatch who can shoot the ball.
13. Nick Johnson, Houston Rockets (Pick 42): Following an impressive showing in Orlando, Johnson continued to excel in Vegas. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 38.4 percent from the floor. He did show some fatigue in his three-point shooting, as he was just 5-of-24 (20.8%) from behind the arc. Nonetheless, the ultra athletic Johnson signed a three-year guaranteed deal with the Rockets, as reported by Shams Charania of RealGM.com. In total, he played 13 summer league games this offseason.
14. Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers (Pick 7): The beastly 6-foot-9 power forward showed the ability to face the basket and attack defenders off the dribble. Randle averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in Vegas but will need to improve his decision making. There were too many times where Randle either tried to take on too many defenders or dribble the length of the floor.
15. Nik Stauskas, Sacramento Kings (Pick 8): Stauskas played a smaller role on a talented Sacramento squad that won the championship. He was still very efficient by averaging 9.9 points per game on 43.4 percent shooting. His jump shot was consistent as expected, shown in a 47.8 percent display from three-point range. Stauskas was able to score at all three levels and also showed flashes as a passer with 2.0 assists per game. He did struggle on the defensive end and will need to defend well enough to stay on the floor.
Nick Johnson
16. Cleanthony Early, New York Knicks (Pick 34): Early had a nice summer league, highlighted by a double-double in his final game. The 6-foot-8 small forward averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in Vegas while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 5-of-10 from behind the arc. While he isn’t a great ball handler, Early can shoot the ball and plays hard every time he steps on the floor. Early should be a rotational player in New York next season.
17. Kyle Anderson, San Antonio Spurs (Pick 30): The versatile 6-foot-9 prospect had a quiet but efficient summer league. Anderson averaged 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game but was 40.5 percent from the field and 4-of-7 from deep. He’s a good ball handler and mismatch for any defender. Anderson isn’t a good athlete, but has a high basketball IQ that should make him a great fit in San Antonio. He averaged only 1.2 turnovers per game in Vegas.
18. Bruno Caboclo, Toronto Raptors (Pick 20): The Brazilian prospect was surprisingly taken in the first round in this year’s draft and showed his high ceiling in Vegas. At 6-foot-9, Caboclo has a lengthy wingspan and nice athleticism for the small forward position. He’s slender in build, but has a frame similar to Kevin Durant. Although Caboclo is still a work in progress, he averaged 11.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. He was 39.5 percent from the field and 8-of-26 (30.8%) from deep. Caboclo may not be a rotational player next season, but showed the upside that warranted an early selection.
19. Cameron Bairstow, Chicago Bulls (Pick 49): The 6-foot-9 power forward had a solid summer league, averaging 10.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Bairstow was 53.1 percent from the field and knocked down his only three-point attempt. He’s a scrappy face-up four who can attack from mid-range. 
20. K.J. McDaniels, Philadelphia 76ers (Pick 32): McDaniels only played two games in Vegas but played well in both contests. He had a combined 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting and was 2-of-4 from behind the arc. McDaniels is a high energy wing defender who has shown the ability to shoot the ball well enough to draw intrigue as a “3-and-D” prospect.
21. DeAndre Daniels, Toronto Raptors (Pick 37): Outside of one scoreless outing, Daniels played well in Vegas. He scored in double-digits in three of five games and had a double-double in his final contest. The 6-foot-9 stretch four averaged 10.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on 36 percent shooting and a 6-of-23 (26%) showing from deep.
22. Johnny O’Bryant III, Milwaukee Bucks (Pick 36): The 6-foot-9 power forward showed his energy and toughness during the summer league. O’Bryant averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the field.
23. Dante Exum, Utah Jazz (Pick 5): In his first taste of American competition, Exum was inconsistent but showed flashes of potential. He averaged 7.2 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game but was just 30.8 percent from the field and 3-of-18 from deep. Exum has the size at 6-foot-6 to go with the length and athleticism that warrants a high ceiling. He showed the ability to play alongside Trey Burke and should be able to run the point for stretches as well.
Dante Exum
24. Noah Vonleh, Charlotte Hornets (Pick 9): Vonleh was able to rebound at a high level, but struggled to find his offense. He averaged 9.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game on just 28.4 percent shooting.
25. Joe Harris, Cleveland Cavaliers (Pick 33): The three-point specialist averaged 7.8 points per game on 4-of-10 shooting from behind the arc. The Charlottesville Daily reported that Harris has signed a contract with Cleveland with a guaranteed two-years.
26. Shabazz Napier, Miami Heat (Pick 24): After a slow start in the Orlando Summer League, Napier continued to struggle with his jump shot. He was 27.7% from the field and 5-of-20 (25%) from three-point range. The 6-foot-1 point guard averaged 10.3 points and 2.8 assists per game but will need to find his jumper to contribute in the NBA. With what he showed in his four years at Connecticut, Napier should find a way to get back on track.
27. Glenn Robinson III, Minnesota Timberwolves (Pick 40): Robinson III didn’t reach double-digits in the scoring column over his first five outings, but finished on a high note with 17 points in his last game. He averaged 7.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the field and 4-of-10 from three-point range. The bouncy 6-foot-6 wing still shows upside.
28. Walter Tavares, Atlanta Hawks (Pick 43): The lengthy 7-foot-3 center averaged 6.0 points per game while shooting 68.2 percent from the floor. His biggest contributions will come on the defensive end, as he is a massive shot blocking presence. Tavares added 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game but is still extremely raw as an overall player.
“Edy” Tavares
29. Jerami Grant, Philadelphia 76ers (Pick 39): Grant didn’t have his best showing in Vegas, averaging 6.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He missed all five of his attempts from behind the arc. As a 6-foot-8 forward, he’ll need to stretch the floor with his jumper.
30. Dwight Powell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Pick 45): Powell only saw a total of 11 minutes in his first two games and was held scoreless, but put together a nice performance to finish his summer league. The 6-foot-10 power forward had 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting to go with nine rebounds. He still only managed to average 5.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in Vegas.
31. Tyler Ennis, Phoenix Suns (Pick 18): Ennis was sub-par during summer league action and went without a field goal over the last two games. He averaged just 4.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest but did add 3.2 assists. The 6-foot-3 floor general was just 21.9% from the field and 0-of-6 from three-point range.
32. Lamar Patterson, Atlanta Hawks (Pick 48): Patterson had a quiet summer league, averaging 6.0 points on 34.2 percent shooting. The 6-foot-5 wing was 5-of-19 (26.3%) from three and added 1.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 assists per game.
33. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, New York Knicks (Pick 51): The Greek product has immense upside as an athletic 6-foot-7 small forward, but showed that he might need another season in the D-League. There are no questions about Antetokounmpo’s energy, but he averaged 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point range. With his athleticism, motor, and upside, he should be a good minor league stash.
34. Alec Brown, Phoenix Suns (Pick 50): Brown’s summer league came to an unfortunate conclusion when he separated his left shoulder that will require surgery. He was averaging 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game up to that point.
Cameron Schott is a Correspondent for NetScouts Basketball. You can subscribe to our RSS feed from the upper right corner of our home page, follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
Any international players interested in coming to the USA to play in college, prep school or high school can contact us here. We are looking for interns and sales associates. If you’re interested contact us and forward your resume.
