Drake Powell entered the Brooklyn Nets' Summer League schedule as the No. 22 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After four games he has logged just 11 points, shooting a dismal 1-for-28 from the field and failing to convert any of his 14 three-point attempts. His lone field goal came on July 6 against the Golden State Warriors’ Blue Team in Sacramento. The raw line reads 2.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, numbers that illustrate the limited offensive output he has produced so far.
The Nets’ roster this summer is unusual for a league where veterans and top scorers usually sit out. Still in a rebuilding phase, Brooklyn has placed a significant portion of its rotation in Las Vegas, including most of its 2025 draft class. Four of the five first-round selections , Egor Dёmin, Danny Wolf, Ben Saraf and Drake Powell , are on the slate, while Nolan Traoré missed action because of a knee issue. This concentration of young talent gives Powell ample opportunity to showcase his skills, but it also magnifies any shortcomings that appear on the court.
Powell’s shooting numbers sit well below what a first-round pick is expected to produce, even against the comparatively lower level of Summer League competition. With a field-goal conversion of just one make in 28 attempts and no three-pointers made, his efficiency is a stark contrast to the typical output of a guard tasked with spacing the floor. The inability to find even basic looks raises immediate questions about his offensive toolkit and his readiness to contribute at the NBA level.
The social-media conversation has zeroed in on the drought, adding pressure as the Nets prepare for training camp later in August. While the league is a proving ground rather than a final evaluation, the stark lack of scoring efficiency could affect Powell’s confidence and his standing with the coaching staff. The organization’s recent pattern of giving early-career players substantial Summer League minutes suggests they are looking for rapid development, but it also magnifies shortcomings when they appear.
Looking ahead, Powell will need to demonstrate measurable improvement before the regular season begins. If he can raise his shooting percentages in the limited practice reps that follow, he may earn a spot on the regular-season roster. Continued struggles could see him assigned to the G-League, where more minutes against seasoned professionals might be the only realistic path to rebuild confidence. The next few weeks will determine whether Powell can translate his draft pedigree into an NBA role or become a cautionary footnote in Brooklyn’s rebuilding narrative.
