Nets draft pick Drake Powell not playing in summer league due to knee injury
Perhaps even more impressive?
He made that jump while dealing with a troublesome left knee.
Powell told The Post that he tweaked his knee during the lead-up to the draft, and the Nets say the injury — which they described as tendinopathy — will preclude him from playing alongside the Nets' other four first-round picks during summer league action beginning later this week in Las Vegas.
The Nets and the 19-year-old Powell stressed he's being held out as a precaution, and the rookie added he'd be playing if these were regular-season games.
'Absolutely. It's extremely disappointing not to play [in summer league] because coming in with these guys, I want to compete with them,' Powell said Monday at an appearance with the other Nets rookies at a camp for kids in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. 'So yeah it's definitely frustrating, but I understand it. I'd say it's more of a precaution type thing right now.'
Drake Powell won't play in Summer League for the Nets.
AP
The 6-foot-5 Powell averaged 7.4 points and 25.6 minutes per game while shooting 37.9 percent from 3-point range in 37 games (24 starts) as a freshman for the Tar Heels last season.
He will accompany the team to Las Vegas even though he will be unable to suit up for the games.
'Definitely, just to be there for breaking down film and seeing what we run offensively and defensively and also to get to know my teammates and coaches,' Powell said, adding he was 'not sure' how much higher he would have jumped at the combine if not for his knee issue. 'I feel like my explosiveness is what I can bring to the team, both offensively and defensively.
'My defense is very important and I think it's one of the staples of my game. I try to be myself, but I try to take bits and pieces from other people's games, too, like Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges, guys like that.'
Drake Powell (R.) speaks at his introductory Nets press conference on July 1, 2025.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Powell will get to show the Nets that athleticism soon enough on the court, just not this month in Vegas.
The Nets made the trade for Powell's rights official on Monday, also taking on Terance Mann's contract from the Hawks in a three-team swap with the Celtics.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
Damian Lillard to Houston? Sixers star Paul George makes a case for it
For a small salary, should the Rockets explore adding injured star Damian Lillard? On his latest podcast, 76ers star Paul George made the case for it. After using most of their non-taxpayer, mid-level exception (NT-MLE) to sign Dorian Finney-Smith, the Houston Rockets are hard capped at the NBA's first-apron threshold. So, general manager Rafael Stone doesn't have much financial wiggle room, as currently constructed. At Monday's media availability, Stone indicated that the current roster will likely be very similar to the one Houston takes to 2025-26 training camp in late September. But the Rockets do have an ability to make deals near the minimum-salary level. In his latest podcast, Philadelphis 76ers star Paul George suggested nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard (currently a free agent) as a plausible candidate. Via Podcast P with Paul George: Put him with Houston… You put him on that team where there is a KD (Kevin Durant), there's defense around him, there's length around him. I always like if it's a smaller guard, pair him with length around him. There's enough youth to where he doesn't have to carry the load. Lillard is a unique situation on multiple levels. After tearing his Achilles while playing for the Bucks in the 2025 playoffs, he was recently 'waived and stretched' by Milwaukee for financial reasons. So, because he is still getting paid every dollar of his original maximum-salaried contract, it's plausible that he could sign with a new team for a relatively small sum. The question is whether Houston will or should be interested. For starters, the Rockets already have two point guards in veteran Fred VanVleet and promising second-year talent Reed Sheppard. Second, due to the Achilles tear, Lillard is expected to miss most or potentially all of the upcoming 2025-26 season. Furthermore, at 35 years old, it's unclear how good Lillard will be when he eventually returns. Historically, Achilles tears can be tough for older players to fully recover from. Then again, Lillard was an All-Star last season while averaging approximately 25 points and 7 assists per game and shooting at a very high level. So, it would be foolish to rule out the possibility of a championship contender (like the Rockets) taking a look. For now, though, it's simply fun speculation. Because Lillard is nowhere close to playing and is still getting paid, he's in no rush to sign his next deal.
Hypebeast
25 minutes ago
- Hypebeast
Indiana Pacers Confirm Tyrese Haliburton Will Miss Entire 2025-26 NBA Season
Summary TheIndiana Pacershave confirmed a significant blow to their upcoming season, announcing today that star point guardTyrese Haliburtonwill miss the entire 2025-26 NBA season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon. Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard made the definitive statement, ensuring no false hope for fans about his return next year. Haliburton's devastating injury occurred in the first quarter of Game 7 of the recent NBA Finals, where the Pacers ultimately fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI confirmed the Achilles tear, and the 25-year-old swiftly underwent surgery. While the surgery was successful, the team is prioritizing his long-term health and full recovery, opting for a cautious approach. Pritchard emphasized this commitment, stating, 'He will not play next year. We will not jeopardize that.' Haliburton himself posted a heartfelt message to fans onX (formerly Twitter)from his hospital bed, apologizing for the letdown but promising to 'fight like hell to get back to this very spot.' His absence, coupled with the departure of Myles Turner, means the Pacers will face substantial challenges in the upcoming season, entering a rebuilding phase without two key starters.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tyrese Haliburton suffers Achilles injury in Game 7 of NBA Finals
Two-time Indianapolis Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is unquestionably one of the best point guards in the NBA today. He's arguably the biggest reason why the Pacers are making their first NBA Finals appearance since the year 2000. Today, Haliburton was set to play in the biggest game of his basketball career, a Game 7 NBA Finals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is where heroes become legends. Advertisement However, Haliburton's quest to lead the Pacers to victory ended early, after just seven minutes of play, after the two-time All-NBA selection suffered a leg injury and collapsed to the floor. After a chance to evaluate his condition, team doctors revealed to Haliburton's dad that Tyrese is dealing with an Achilles injury. He will not return to the game. While Haliburton's absence is a huge loss for the Pacers, backup point guard T.J. McConnell is getting a bigger chance to show what he's capable of in front of millions of spectators. Even without their floor general, the Pacers still managed to enter halftime with a 48-47 lead over the Thunder. Related: Phoenix Suns looking to swing another blockbuster trade after moving Kevin Durant Related Headlines
