What to make of Nets' Drake Powell's performance in the summer league?

Brooklyn Nets forward Drake Powell had a mixed season last year, with flashes of his defensive skills but also a need for improvement on the offensive side. As rookies often experience growing pains, the team hopes Powell can turn things around soon. The Nets selected five first-round picks in 2025, with the exception of standout Egor Dёmin, who seemed to garner more positive attention.

John Hollinger, from The Athletic, had mixed feelings about the rest of the class, including Powell. In the Nets' summer league games, Powell shot an 8-of-44 clip with 10 turnovers, according to Hollinger. Apart from an 18-point game in the second-to-last match, he appeared to lack the NBA level shooting and decision-making. Powell, 20, averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in the summer leagues, but his efficiency was poor, shooting 18.2% overall and 16.0% from beyond the arc.

While Powell was once considered a dual-threat player due to his athleticism and offensive skill set, the summer league performances suggest he still has a lot of work to do to reach his full potential.