disappointing performances in the NBA Summer League: insights on the Nets’ draft class, the Pelicans, and beyond

Disappointing Performances in the NBA Summer League: Nets, Pelicans, and More Under the Spotlight

Every summer, the NBA Summer League promises a sneak peek into future stars, surprise breakouts, and the raw intensity of rookies fighting for roster spots. But for every highlight reel moment, there’s a sobering dose of reality—this year’s event in Las Vegas had plenty of both. Between wayward shooting, turnovers galore, and some questionable team strategies, a few squads walked away with more questions than answers. Let’s break down the most disappointing performances, with a focus on the Brooklyn Nets’ draft class, the winless New Orleans Pelicans, and others who didn’t quite rise to the occasion.

Nets’ Draft Class: A Rocky Start in Vegas

The Brooklyn Nets came into Summer League with high expectations after loading up on four first-round picks. However, what unfolded was less a coming out party and more an exercise in patience. Of the four highly-touted rookies who hit the court, none managed to put together a truly encouraging stretch. Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf, in particular, emerged as the two lowest Player Efficiency Rating (PER) first-rounders in Vegas, struggling to find rhythm in both shooting and overall impact. Saraf’s defense offered a mild silver lining, but the awkward fit among all four—none particularly threatening as shooters and all needing the ball to be effective—was glaring.

NBA analyst Sam Waters told ATB Network, “It was rough. You could tell they hadn’t played together, and all the self-creation in isolation isn’t going to work against NBA defenders.” To make matters worse, shots weren’t falling (7-of-23 for Traoré, similar for Saraf), and not one of them managed to offer reliable perimeter spacing, leaving fans with more doubts than hope about the Nets’ immediate direction.

For a deeper dive on the Nets’ offseason moves, check out the latest insights at ATB Network.

Pelicans Return to Vegas Empty-Handed

If the Nets stumbled in their audition, the New Orleans Pelicans completely faceplanted for the second consecutive year, finishing with zero wins. Not only did their summer squad rack up the league’s second-worst point differential, but their rookie headliner Derik Queen went down with a wrist injury after an underwhelming showing, sidelining him for months. To rub salt in the wound, the standout in Vegas was Antonio Reeves—picked up by Charlotte days after New Orleans cut him.

Veteran observer Mike Lambert remarked, “It’s tough to get any momentum or evaluation when every game feels out of sync and your top rookie isn’t even healthy.” The Pelicans, with their 2025-26 rotation prospects seeing significant minutes, finished with an anemic 95.5 offensive rating, firmly cementing their spot among the summer’s biggest disappointments.

League-wide Woes: Ugly Numbers and Missed Opportunities

The truth is, Summer League often features ugly basketball as rookies and fringe players adjust to pro pace and spacing. This year, though, the statistics were especially grim. Only four teams managed to hit more than a third of their three-point attempts, and not one squad shot above 50 percent from the field. The Cleveland Cavaliers fired off 33 threes a game but only sank eight, while the Orlando Magic connected a mere 37.8 percent of their total shots.

Turnovers were a recurring nightmare. The Golden State Warriors posted a 20 percent turnover rate, one of the worst in recent memory. Miami first-rounder Kasparas Jakučionis and Suns big man Khaman Maluach were among several rookies who, despite moments of promise, struggled with adjusting to NBA physicality, ball pressure, and overall quickness. Jakučionis, in particular, coughed up 22 turnovers against just 15 assists in six games, while Maluach looked years away from offering reliable frontcourt help for Phoenix.

Single-Player Letdowns and Bench Questions

The disappointment wasn’t limited to teams—plenty of individual prospects failed to live up to draft day hype. Tyler Smith of the Bucks shot just 31.3% from the field with no assists in five games, a worrying sign for his second pro season. Justin Edwards, who had flashes of hope as a Sixers rookie last year, regressed sharply, hitting just 11-of-34 on twos and tallying twice as many turnovers as assists.

Even reliable European prospect Hugo González couldn’t find his rhythm, finishing summer league with as many turnovers as baskets—plagued by poor perimeter shooting and trouble protecting the ball.

For more about the stories and outcomes from this summer, including how top international prospects fared, ATB Network has your full recap.

Expert Takes: Perspective and Moving Forward

Are these summer struggles a cause for panic? Not necessarily, say most scouts. Summer League is a small, chaotic sample and plenty of now-stars once stumbled in Vegas. However, these disappointing performances do offer key insights about work needed in player development and questions about team construction, especially for franchises like Brooklyn and New Orleans hoping to accelerate rebuilds.

As NBA front offices regroup, the focus now shifts to how these young players respond in training camp and if coaching staffs can iron out the glaring flaws exposed under the bright Summer League lights.

For ongoing updates and analysis on roster plans this offseason, check out this breakdown.

Source: www.nytimes.com