5 players who have been way too good for NBA Summer League

5 players who have been way too good for NBA Summer League: Cam Thomas

Thomas showed out in Summer League last year, proving himself to be an early steal of the 2021 draft after the Brooklyn Nets nabbed him with the 27th overall pick.

Now, after two games, Thomas may be in line to win back-to-back Summer League MVPs. The 6’3″ guard is averaging 28.5 points and 4.5 assists, having played in 67 games for Brooklyn during the 2021-22 regular season.

Thomas’ scoring ability may not have translated directly to the NBA level just yet, but for this level of competition, there are very few that prevent him from getting buckets. With Brooklyn in an uncertain situation, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of role and opportunity Thomas may get heading into next season.

5 players who have been way too good for NBA Summer League: Quentin Grimes

The 25th overall pick in last year’s draft, Grimes was a rare positive on an otherwise disappointing New York Knicks team during his rookie season. The 22-year-old played just over 17 minutes per game, shooting an impressive 38.1% from beyond the arc.

He’s taken that experience into Summer League, averaging 24 points, four rebounds and six assists to lead the Knicks to two comfortable victories thus far. Similar to Thomas, Grimes possesses a polished offensive game at this level, capable of beating defenders off the dribble, making plays for others, and shooting the ball at a high volume.

Although he may be elite in this tournament, it remains an important phase of development for Grimes heading into next season. With the expectation that Derrick Rose will be moved on, further opportunities seem destined to arise for this talented young guard.