Milwaukee Bucks: 5 takeaways from 2018 NBA Summer League

2. Christian Wood was dominant

In the days leading into 2018 NBA Summer League, names were bandied about as potential stars of Las Vegas. Many of those names were the top players in last month’s draft, like Deandre Ayton, Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr. Others were supposed “dark horse” options, such as second-year players or older rookies with more seasoning.

One player not on anyone’s radar as the star of Vegas was Christian Wood, yet he has unequivocally been one of the most productive players thus far. Among players who appeared in at least three games, Wood ranks fourth in scoring (20.4 points per game), third in rebounds (10.8 per game) and sixth in blocks (2.8 per game).

The 6’11” forward was the best player on the court for the Bucks in every game, and exploded for huge stat lines game after game. In their final game against the Philadelphia 76ers, he dropped 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.

Wood is a long, hyper-athletic power forward who played college ball at UNLV, so perhaps part of his on-court success was fueled by a sense of home-cooking. After going undrafted in 2015, Wood spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Charlotte Hornets, always full of potential but never able to put things together in the NBA.

After dominating the competition in Las Vegas, it is possible that someone grants Wood another chance. The Bucks are flush with big man options, with two new free agency decisions added to an already crowded frontcourt. Yet with Jabari Parker leaving, it is possible the Bucks use their final roster spot on Wood and hope he can become something more.