The biggest NBA Summer League surprises so far

NBA Summer League in Las Vegas is in full-swing, and top picks like Jalen Green have already shown out. Summer League performances need to be taken with a heavy dose of salt, of course, but insights are still possible, particularly when they provide a window into team thinking and development plans. 

Let’s examine the biggest Summer League surprises so far.

DETROIT’S ODD DECISION

The Pistons made a great choice when they selected Cade Cunningham first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, but they’ve followed that up with a puzzling one. Through his first two exhibition games, they’ve elected to play Cade off the ball.

It’s not unusual to have great shooters play off the ball - in fact that is typically the expectation. But to do so with Cunningham is to completely misunderstand what makes him special. Cade has been playing as a primary ball-handler on the wing since the end of his tenure at Monte Verde Academy.

Cunningham is a genius-level passer, and low assist numbers at Oklahoma State do not accurately reflect his NBA-ready playmaking. Detroit has begun Summer League by squandering on-ball reps for him, which will not allow his teammates to become familiar with his game. Let’s hope that Detroit isn’t so stuck in orthodox basketball thinking that they miss what is right in front of their nose.

A PAIR OF PROMISING HAWKS

The Atlanta Hawks have a pair of compelling performers in Vegas.  

Jalen Johnson, taken 20th, fell in the draft because there were questions about his commitment since he played only 13 games for Duke before calling it quits. But after averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds across his first two games, he’s flashed every bit of his athletic potential.

And there’s Sharife Cooper who has been even more impressive. Cooper drew oohs and ahhs from fans in the Cox Pavilion with his creative playmaking. He threw transition bounce passes, inside pocket passes to the roll man, and perfectly-timed lobs to Johnson. His passes were so advanced that his teammates were clearly surprised to receive them. He’s also done an incredible job getting to the middle and creating from inside the paint. 

Cooper faced two criticisms in the pre-draft process that caused him to fall into the second round: weakness as an outside shooter and defensive limitations. He's clearly made something of a statement about the former criticism.

That game-winner from the corner capped off a strong outside shooting performance where he went 5-for-8. So far, Cooper has silenced some of his critics. If he continues to improve, he may have a lot of executives who passed on his upside looking foolish very soon.

JERICHO SIMS is opening eyes in Vegas

The New York Knicks made four picks in this year's draft, but so far it is their last selection, Jericho Sims taken at 58th, that has impressed the most. He has demonstrated a level of athleticism that is elite even by NBA standards. Just look at how high his head gets above the rim on this lob.

Sims has also been walling up on defense, roaming the perimeter, showing excellent touch both on hook shots and floaters as well as catching lobs. He’s also yet to miss a shot, going 10-10 from the field across the two games. He’s struggled with some positioning and hasn’t quite rebounded at the level requisite to his talent yet, but given the constraints of Summer League, he's shown plenty to be excited about.

Is Josh Christopher THE NEXT JRUE HOLIDAY?

The Rockets' draft haul is looking pretty nice after the first couple of games of Summer League action. But Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun balling out isn’t exactly surprising. However, Josh Christopher, who they took 24th overall, has been generating some buzz of his own.

Christopher is an isolation scorer and shot creator, who combines complex dribble moves and step-backs, really nice footwork, and a little playmaking too. It hasn’t all come together on that end yet, but you see the outline of a dynamic offensive player.

But what was really eye-catching was his tenacious man-to-man defense. And comes after he told The Athletic that the Rockets told him their long-term vision for him is to be "their Jrue Holiday." If that vision comes even close to panning out, the Rockets will have incredible two-way balance and versatility going forward.