2019 Summer League Thread

[Jamaaliver]

How NBA Summer League Would've Impacted 2019 NBA Draft

Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies PF

Drafted: No. 21

Re-draft range: Nos. 5-14

Spoiler:

It was surprising when 20 prospects were picked before Brandon Clarke on June 20, and it's even more shocking after summer league.

Named MVP, Clarke was a driving force behind the Memphis Grizzlies' championship run. He averaged 14.7 points and 9.8 rebounds, regularly bouncing over opponents for easy baskets off rolls and missed shots on the offensive glass.

But he also flashed some budding skill with the ability to slash from the arc or activate touch using one-handers in the paint. Clarke even made five of his nine three-pointers after converting just four all season at Gonzaga.

His defensive impact was also evident. He averaged 1.8 blocks and challenged plenty more shots that didn't show in the box score. His combination of timing and verticality is special. And while most young players struggle with foul trouble in summer league, Clarke was only whistled nine times in six games.

Coming in, concerns centered around his ceiling, as he was a 6'8", 207-pound 22-year-old without much of a perimeter game. But given his extreme success in both college and Las Vegas, it should be easier to picture Clarke defying the traditional rules of upside.

He'd deserve consideration as high as No. 5 overall in a re-draft.

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat SG

Drafted: No. 13

Re-draft range: Nos. 6-12

Spoiler:

Summer league created the ideal environment to unlock Tyler Herro's potent offensive game.

He went off with more pace, space and a longer leash to shoot through mistakes. Compared to Kentucky, the rim appeared wider to Herro in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, where he was able to play freely, build confidence and sustain it.

He averaged 19.5 points, putting on a shot-making clinic off quick-trigger transition threes, pull-ups and zero-hesitation catch-and-shoot jumpers.

With a green light to handle the ball more, Herro also got to show creation skills that didn't always pop during his one year in college. He averaged 3.8 assists in summer league, showing the ability to shake and pass off the dribble. That helped strengthen his image as a combo guard and not just a gunner.

Since Darius Garland, Jarrett Culver, Cam Reddish, Cameron Johnson and PJ Washington all sat out, it's difficult to say how much higher Herro would go in a re-draft. But one team in the Nos. 6-12 range would now likely have trouble resisting his scoring, shooting, secondary playmaking and potential Devin Booker-like trajectory.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans PG/SG


Drafted: No. 17

Re-draft range: Nos. 11-16

Spoiler:

The headline to emerge from New Orleans Pelicans summer league has nothing to do with Zion Williamson. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the team's third first-round pick at No. 17 overall, became the story by averaging 24.3 points and 6.0 assists.

Had the draft taken place after his performance, it would be tough to believe the Phoenix Suns (No. 11), Charlotte Hornets (No. 12), Boston Celtics (No. 14), Detroit Pistons (No. 15) and Orlando Magic (No. 16) would all pass on Alexander-Walker.

A player can suddenly look different with more freedom, space and talented teammates. That was the case for this combo guard in Las Vegas.

A lack of strength and burst didn't appear as restrictive. His command of the ball and offense was stronger. He picked apart defenses as a passer, delivering one-handed dimes through and above traffic—many to Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans' No. 8 overall selection. In terms of his comfort level and playmaking IQ, Alexander-Walker looked more like a point guard than in previous years.

But he also scored in volume and flashed more shot-making creativity off step-backs and post-ups than he did at Virginia Tech. And he made 40.6 percent of his threes (13-of-32), helping validate the shooting numbers he registered through two years in college (career 38.3 three-point percentage).

With Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick, Frank Jackson and Josh Hart on the roster, Pelicans fans may have to wait and see what Alexander-Walker can do during the regular season. He just gives this franchise another long-term asset, one multiple teams presumably regret overlooking.

Bleacher Report

[jayu70]

How NBA Summer League Would've Impacted 2019 NBA Draft

Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies PF

Drafted: No. 21

Re-draft range: Nos. 5-14

Spoiler:

It was surprising when 20 prospects were picked before Brandon Clarke on June 20, and it's even more shocking after summer league.

Named MVP, Clarke was a driving force behind the Memphis Grizzlies' championship run. He averaged 14.7 points and 9.8 rebounds, regularly bouncing over opponents for easy baskets off rolls and missed shots on the offensive glass.

But he also flashed some budding skill with the ability to slash from the arc or activate touch using one-handers in the paint. Clarke even made five of his nine three-pointers after converting just four all season at Gonzaga.

His defensive impact was also evident. He averaged 1.8 blocks and challenged plenty more shots that didn't show in the box score. His combination of timing and verticality is special. And while most young players struggle with foul trouble in summer league, Clarke was only whistled nine times in six games.

Coming in, concerns centered around his ceiling, as he was a 6'8", 207-pound 22-year-old without much of a perimeter game. But given his extreme success in both college and Las Vegas, it should be easier to picture Clarke defying the traditional rules of upside.

He'd deserve consideration as high as No. 5 overall in a re-draft.

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat SG

Drafted: No. 13

Re-draft range: Nos. 6-12

Spoiler:

Summer league created the ideal environment to unlock Tyler Herro's potent offensive game.

He went off with more pace, space and a longer leash to shoot through mistakes. Compared to Kentucky, the rim appeared wider to Herro in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, where he was able to play freely, build confidence and sustain it.

He averaged 19.5 points, putting on a shot-making clinic off quick-trigger transition threes, pull-ups and zero-hesitation catch-and-shoot jumpers.

With a green light to handle the ball more, Herro also got to show creation skills that didn't always pop during his one year in college. He averaged 3.8 assists in summer league, showing the ability to shake and pass off the dribble. That helped strengthen his image as a combo guard and not just a gunner.

Since Darius Garland, Jarrett Culver, Cam Reddish, Cameron Johnson and PJ Washington all sat out, it's difficult to say how much higher Herro would go in a re-draft. But one team in the Nos. 6-12 range would now likely have trouble resisting his scoring, shooting, secondary playmaking and potential Devin Booker-like trajectory.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans PG/SG


Drafted: No. 17

Re-draft range: Nos. 11-16

Spoiler:

The headline to emerge from New Orleans Pelicans summer league has nothing to do with Zion Williamson. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the team's third first-round pick at No. 17 overall, became the story by averaging 24.3 points and 6.0 assists.

Had the draft taken place after his performance, it would be tough to believe the Phoenix Suns (No. 11), Charlotte Hornets (No. 12), Boston Celtics (No. 14), Detroit Pistons (No. 15) and Orlando Magic (No. 16) would all pass on Alexander-Walker.

A player can suddenly look different with more freedom, space and talented teammates. That was the case for this combo guard in Las Vegas.

A lack of strength and burst didn't appear as restrictive. His command of the ball and offense was stronger. He picked apart defenses as a passer, delivering one-handed dimes through and above traffic—many to Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans' No. 8 overall selection. In terms of his comfort level and playmaking IQ, Alexander-Walker looked more like a point guard than in previous years.

But he also scored in volume and flashed more shot-making creativity off step-backs and post-ups than he did at Virginia Tech. And he made 40.6 percent of his threes (13-of-32), helping validate the shooting numbers he registered through two years in college (career 38.3 three-point percentage).

With Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick, Frank Jackson and Josh Hart on the roster, Pelicans fans may have to wait and see what Alexander-Walker can do during the regular season. He just gives this franchise another long-term asset, one multiple teams presumably regret overlooking.

Bleacher Report

A re-draft based on SL? .
I'm just saying.