The Brooklyn Nets went into the 2025 NBA Draft with five first-round picks, and while some of those swings have already started to pay off, Drake Powell is still searching for his footing.
That’s not exactly new territory for the 20-year-old. His rookie season came with flashes of the raw tools Brooklyn liked during the draft process, but it also laid bare the rough edges.
Powell averaged 6.5 points per game and shot 40.2% from the field, with a 28% mark from three that opposing defenses leaned on hard. He brought energy on defense and got his hands into passing lanes, but beyond that, his impact was limited on both ends.
The Summer League was supposed to be a chance to show real progress. Instead, the early returns have only added to the concern.
Through two games, Powell has totaled six points, 12 rebounds and two assists. The bigger issue is how he’s gotten there: he’s 1-17 from the field and 0-9 from beyond the arc. That kind of efficiency is hard to ignore, especially for a player already carrying the same scoring issues from last season.
For Brooklyn, the timing matters. The Nets have a crowded backcourt picture, with Egor Demin and lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr. looking like the strongest candidates to open the season in the starting group.
Ben Saraf and newly signed Keon Ellis are also in the mix for bench minutes. That leaves Powell in a tough spot, with no clear role waiting for him if the roster shakes out the way it looks now.
And if the shooting struggles continue in Vegas, the path gets even narrower. Head coach Jordi Fernandez is trying to build a team that can win now, especially with Brooklyn not owning its 2027 first-round pick. That reality doesn’t leave much room for extended patience with a player who isn’t scoring efficiently.
Powell still has time to change the conversation. He’s young, and the traits that made him appealing in the first place are still there.
A couple of strong games in Summer League could quickly alter the outlook. But right now, his place in next season’s rotation is very much up in the air.
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