Summer League is exciting because some of the newest draft selections get their first glimpse of NBA action. It’s also a significant development checkpoint for young players looking to solidify themselves in the league. Teams often make decisions about fringe roster spots based on Summer League performances. Still, how much can we learn about prospects when they’re playing against their peers in Vegas?
It’s a question many fans are asking because the Minnesota Timberwolves have two intriguing rookies: Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. While Dillingham and Shannon are highly-regarded first-round picks, the Wolves have yet to have the luxury of bringing in youth to such favorable situations. The pressure will not be as high on them as it has for some of the past young players.
Summer League production can be misleading, though. The style of play in Vegas tends to favor specific archetypes and experienced players. Players often play outside of their projected NBA roles, leading to a lot of inefficiency. Still, even if rookies struggle early on in the Summer League, it’s a phenomenal way to get glimpses of players’ strengths and weaknesses within the NBA playstyle.
In the past five seasons, prospects’ play in Summer League has helped people project what NBA prospects will become in the league. So, what can we learn from Minnesota’s last handful of high draft picks and contributors who have played in Summer League? Have play styles and statistical trends continued?
2018-19 Key Players
20th overall pick Josh Okogie & 48th overall pick Keita Bates-Diop
Okogie and Bates-Diop’s early stats projected their careers well. Okogie showcased many defensive playmaking abilities while struggling to find his three-point shot, traits that have defined his career. While he was higher up on the usage hierarchy, his offensive struggles would still not translate to a more minimized role. KBD needed to stand out more as an older rookie at Summer League, and he didn’t stick on Minnesota’s roster.
- 19-year-old Okogie | 4 GP 31.6 MPG | 11 PTS 5.4 REB 2.3 STL 2.0 BLK | 29.8/15.8/72.2 splits
- 22-year-old KBD | 5 GP 33.8 MPG | 14.8 PTS 7.4 REB | 39.7/23.3/76.5 splits
2019-20 Key Players
UDFA Naz Reid & Jordan McLaughlin, second-year Josh Okogie & Keita Bates-Diop
Even with Naz Reid being an undrafted free agent and Jordan McLaughlin signing after a year in the G-League, their early statistical output reflected well upon their future prospects. Naz showcased his three-point shooting intrigue as a big early, while McLaughlin was the team’s best facilitator. Okogie and KBD returned for another season of play but would produce similar numbers, continuing to show statistical struggles similar to the previous season.
- 19-year-old rookie Naz Reid | 7 GP 18.6 MPG | 11.9 PTS 5.4 REB | 46.2/38.1/88.2 splits
- 20-year-old Josh Okogie | 5 GP 20.4 MPG | 10.2 PTS 4 REB | 29.8/15.8/72.2 splits
- 23-year-old KBD | 7 GP 23.5 MPG | 10.4 PTS 7.4 REB 1.4 STL 1.2 BLK | 39.7/23.3/76.5 33.8 splits
- 23-year-old Jordan McLaughlin | 7 GP 26 MPG | 9.9 PTS 5.0 AST | 36.9/31/80 shooting splits
There was no Summer League in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
2021-22 Key Players
Second-year Jaden McDaniels and third-year Jaylen Nowell
Anthony Edwards was already far too good for Summer League after his rookie season. Still, the Wolves sent McDaniels for extra seasoning despite having an impressive rookie year.
Minnesota handed Nowell and McDaniels the keys to the offense. They saw plenty of minutes and usage, and they succeeded. While Nowell and McDaniels were experienced for their first Summer League, those scoring flashes showed us who they were on the ball. Jaden still needed more work creating than Nowell, but he used the Summer League as a development opportunity. Nowell shined as a scorer but could not showcase much else, something he had an issue with in the NBA.
- 20-year-old Jaden McDaniels | 4 GP 29.4 | 16.3 PTS 6.5 REB | 49/27.8/100 splits
- 22-year-old Jaylen Nowell | 4 GP 30.8 MPG | 22.5 PTS | 44.4/35.5/93.8 splits
2022-23 Key Players
Rookie 26th overall pick Wendell Moore Jr. & 45 overall pick Josh Minott
Moore and Minott’s first impressions have mirrored their trajectory two seasons later. While they are only entering their third NBA season, much of their early play has remained the same.
Moore struggled to find a role, position, and three-point shot – all issues that have plagued his career. While Minott was a defensive playmaker, he still had difficulty finding a projectable offensive role. He couldn’t turn his athleticism into production due to his lack of feel for the game, which kept him from seeing NBA playing time.
- 19-year-old Josh Minott | 5 GP 26.8 MPG | 12.2 PTS 8.6 REB 1.6 BLK 1.6 STL | 38.3/41.7/66.7
- 20-year-old Wendell Moore Jr. | 5 GP 26.9 MPG | 12.2 PTS 4.4 REB | 35.2/25/94.1 splits
2023-24 Key Players
Second-year Wendell Moore Jr. & Josh Minott, 35th overall pick Leonard Miller
While Minott took a leap offensively in Year 2, he did most of his damage around the rim. Moore posted similar stats but is still struggling to find his niche offensively. Miller had an instant statistical impact. It is still difficult to project how Miller will impact the game at the NBA level, although it was clear that he still needed to refine his game.
- 19-year-old Leonard Miller | 5 GP 25 MPG | 15.4 PPG 8 REB | 44.6/36.8/85.7 splits
- 20-year-old Josh Minott | 5 GP 27.6 MPG | 16.4 PTS 5.6 REB | 46.4/12.5/76.2
- 21-year-old Wendell Moore Jr. | 3 GP 22.3 MPG | 14.3 PTS 3.3 REB | 37.1/28.6/94.1 splits
Summer League rarely gives us the complete picture of who a player will become. Still, each player’s projected efficiency, role, and play style have remained consistent through the last five seasons of Timberwolves Summer League play.
