After shooting a dismal 1-for-28 in Summer League, Drake Powell faces a critical crossroads as regression and roster competition threaten the former first-round pick’s future in Brooklyn.
Drake Powell was one of several players aiming to improve for the Brooklyn Nets, but it looks like he's regressed so far and is struggling in Summer League.
Powell has shot 1-28 from the field, 0-14 from three and has scored 11 points. His struggle is shocking, considering he said he's spent time in the gym adding muscle and shooting threes.
"But, I say the main thing was the weight room, just trying to build some muscle, get stronger and just add to my athleticism, just being able to move well on the court," Powell told the Nets Wire at summer league practice. "I'd say definitely finishing at the rim, as well as getting up more threes, and then I'd say getting to the paint, making the right reads for my teammates."
Struggling in the Summer League as a rookie is not surprising, but not showing any signs of improvement in the second Summer League is more than just concerning. Dominance isn't expected, but Powell should look like a more polished player on the court.
He looks like the polar opposite of his teammate, Egor Dëmin. Dëmin has looked like the best player on the court in every appearance. The most improved aspect of his game has been the downhill scoring.
Dëmin has struggled to shoot from three, which is a bit surprising, given he shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc last season. However, his increased driving ability has made him a much more effective scorer.
Powell is one of Brooklyn's five first-round picks from last year's trade. General manager Sean Marks traded for his draft rights from the Atlanta Hawks, who had the 22nd pick.
Trading for Powell signifies that Marks saw potential in the North Carolina product. A realized version of Powell would upgrade the Nets' athleticism, perimeter defense and shooting.
The 22nd overall pick struggled in his rookie season, but showed flashes. Enough flashes that, with improvement, would make him a cost-controlled rotation player for Brooklyn.
That hasn't been the case in Summer League; it looks like Powell has regressed. Powell's time with the Nets could be in jeopardy because of his poor performance.
Brooklyn signed Keon Ellis in free agency, and he fulfills two of the three traits Powell would have: perimeter defense and shooting. Ellis may not be the athlete Powell is, but he's a much more polished defender and shooter.
NBA teams move on quickly from failed investments, and Powell is eerily close to reaching that status. There are still two more games for him to salvage his performances and show some improvement against the Sacramento Kings next Tuesday and the Houston Rockets next Thursday.
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