:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35953826/479932963.0.jpg)
The NBA Summer League doesn't provide the greatest outlook on a young player's potential. Marquis Teague has been great in Summer League action, but earns First Team All-Bench honors come the regular season.
So Bulls fans should wait til November before starting the #McBucketsForROY trending topic.
But until then, Chicago can at least crack at smile at their 2014 first round pick's expense. Doug McDermott made the All-NBA Summer League First Team this past week. In four games, McDermott averaged 18 points on 44.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3-point range in 28.8 minutes on the court. He also averaged 4 rebounds and nearly 3 assists a game.
He missed the team's semifinal loss to the Sacramento Kings with a sore left foot, but that didn't halt his impressive summer. The former Creighton star was also one of 13 players named to the USA Basketball Select team that will practice against the U.S. Men's National Basketball team on its way to the FIBA World Cup in Spain later this summer.
While his offense is never in question, it's his play on the other end that was the biggest question coming into Las Vegas. McDermott didn't look near the defensive liabilty he was made to be in the last month. Not a lockdown defender by any means - he will still need to gain some size and improve on the defensive end to combat bigger, stronger guys at the 3 - but Dougie showed some promise on defense.
Non-athlete and non-defender Doug McDermott just got two blocks and a three in the span of about 10 seconds... https://t.co/ZEJv12WYzg
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) July 18, 2014
McDermott showed the talent that cost the Bulls two first-rounders to get him at No. 11 in the draft last month. His great shooting will be eclipsed only by his high basketball IQ. Coupled with his experience - he's the first Bulls first-round draft pick since Kirk Hinrich in '03 to play all four years in college - it should not be hard to adapt to the pro game, whether he turns into a decent asset for Chicago off the bench or something more. The Bulls expect McDermott to battle with Mike Dunleavy in training camp for a starting role at the 3.
Chris Sheridan first reported the Bulls have offered McDermott to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of a package to acquire Kevin Love. Any trade would have to wait another 28 days to be finalized - McDermott signed his rookie deal on Tuesday. It could be speculation just to force Cleveland's hand into gutting their roster for Love, or the Bulls may really be all-in in talks with the T-Wolves. Whatever the case may be, McDermott's strong Summer League will earn him a chance to compete for significant playing time come training camp.