3 budding NBA stars who have already proven they’re too good for Summer League

With NBA Summer League underway, these players look way too good to be here. 

The NBA Draft is in the rearview mirror and we have finally arrived at the doorstep of Summer League basketball in Vegas. But, a few teams already started their abbreviated summer seasons in Sacramento. Some players might not make it to Vegas on account of being far too good for Summer League basketball.

While it’s dangerous to make any grand proclamations based on Summer League performances (good or bad), it’s often a good sign if a player is levels above the competition. That typically happens with returners — second or third-year players who have been around the block and faced genuine NBA-level competition.

Summer League is pro competition, there’s no doubt about it. But it’s not NBA competition, and any player who struggles in Summer League is going to face a learning curve in the big league. If a player is flat-out dominating, however, then it could be time to get that player off the floor.

Here are three Summer Leaguers who have already earned the right to sit out in Vegas.

No. 3 NBA Summer League standout: Julian Champagnie, Spurs

Julian Champagnie split his rookie season between Philadelphia and San Antonio, landing with the Spurs after the Sixers waived him to sign future dunk contest winner Mac McClung. In hindsight, maybe the Sixers should have clung tight to Champagnie.

In 15 appearances (including three starts) for the Spurs, Champagnie averaged a compelling 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds on .461/.407/.824 splits. He did so in only 20.9 minutes per game. San Antonio appears to have stumbled into a legitimate rotation piece, signing the St. John’s product to a four-year, $12 million contract at the start of free agency.

Now, Champagnie is backing up the hype in Summer League. He lit up the Lakers on Wednesday night, dropping 28 points on 8-of-17 from the field (5-of-10 from deep) with five rebounds and two blocks. His jumper looks absolutely pure and he’s expanding his contributions to other areas of the game, especially as a defender.

Big wings who can shoot will always carry value in the modern NBA. Champagnie is 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds; he can handle a decent variety of matchups on the defensive end and he’s showing a real talent for disruption on top of the offensive skill set. The man is ready for the NBA; San Antonio can probably rest him the rest of the way.