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2017 NBA Summer League: 5 biggest disappointments

By Max Holm

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls blocks the shot against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 Summer League on July 11, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls blocks the shot against the Washington Wizards during the 2017 Summer League on July 11, 2017 at Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 09: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers stands on the court during a 2017 Summer League game against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boston won 70-64. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 09: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers stands on the court during a 2017 Summer League game against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boston won 70-64. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

5. Zach Collins — Portland Trail Blazers

When the Sacramento Kings sat with the No. 10 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, there were good players still on the board. They could have had their pickings between Malik Monk, Donovan Mitchell and Zach Collins.

The Kings instead traded down with the Portland Trail Blazers. Collins would end up going 10th, which doesn’t look great after Summer League’s conclusion. Malik Monk hasn’t played, but both Luke Kennard and Donovan Mitchell looked far better this summer. Both look like they’ll contribute next season.

After his own showing, it’s unclear how playable the Blazers’ new rookie is right now. Collins was always going to be more of a project and he showed exactly that. He’s raw, plain and simple. While his numbers are far from pretty — 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game on 26.1 percent shooting — there’s reason for optimism.

Collins is still extremely young and his best potential remains on the defensive side. That part of his game was much better than his offensive showing in Las Vegas. Still, after what he showed in college, more was expected of him at this stage.