The 2K23 NBA Summer League may have only just begun in Las Vegas, but there are already some players proving to be way too good for this level of competition. While some recent draftees have been mightily impressive, it’s often the second-year players whose NBA experience puts them in good stead to dominate these games.
In some cases, these players have often already proven themselves at the NBA level, meaning they’re there for more than just their own individual game. Here are five players dominating NBA Summer League, demonstrating that their skill sets sit far above this level of competition.
5 players who have been way too good for NBA Summer League: Josh Giddey
The Australian may be the prime example of someone who shouldn’t necessarily be playing. He finished with All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2021-22, which could have easily been First Team if not for an early finish to his season via injury.
He recorded four triple-doubles throughout his impressive first season, with his all-around game again on display in this year’s Summer League. Giddey’s averaging 14 points, four rebounds, and eight assists through two games, and although those aren’t astounding numbers, he can clearly command a game like very few in this tournament.
There are two reasons as to why he’s competing – first and foremost, the Thunder would like him to build chemistry with their number two overall pick Chet Holmgren.
Secondly, Giddey is actually younger than Holmgren and many of the other 2022 draftees. There remains plenty of growth to be had for the 6’8″ guard, and given his injury to finish last regular season, Summer League presents an opportunity to accelerate that development.