James Michael McAdoo, other undrafted free agents sign with Summer League teams

On the surface, being undrafted is a major disappointment for most NBA hopefuls. But there’s a silver lining in being an undrafted free agent, rather than a second-round selection. As an undrafted free agent, a prospect isn’t bound to just one team, making his summer league time essentially a 30-team tryout.

Just days after the draft, several former college stars have already signed summer league gigs. Let’s take a look at them.

Former top 10 recruit and North Carolina combo forward James Michael McAdoo will play with the Golden State Warriors’ summer team. McAdoo was a potential lottery pick had he left school after a promising end to his freshman season, but he stayed in school, producing underwhelming sophomore and junior seasons. The former Tar Heel averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds his junior year.

Jahii Carson, a 5’11 former Arizona State point guard, figured to hear his name on draft night, but didn’t. He will play for the Houston Rockets’ summer league squad in Orlando. Carson averaged 18.6 points and 4.6 assists at ASU, but struggled making plays around the rim. There are also questions of how he will defend in the NBA, being that he’s under 6’ tall.

Bhullar is 7’5 with massive arms and a 360-plus pound frame. According to David Aldridge, he’ll be playing with the Kings this summer. He didn’t dominate at New Mexico State despite being much larger than everyone, because he can barely move his feet. But he blocks a ton of shots and he’s 7’5! Go Bhullar!

The former Iowa State Cyclone will play for the Spurs and Sixers, meaning he will showcase his talents in both Orlando and Las Vegas. Ejim is an undersized but gritty and versatile forward. Playing in both summer leagues will give more teams the opportunity to see him.

The 6-foot-9 body builder former Florida Gator will play with the Pelicans. Young is a bit undersized for center and under-skilled for power forward, but he’s strong, competitive and fights on the boards. He’s the type of undrafted free agent that could make an NBA roster.

Burton is an athletic combo guard who improved in all four years at Nevada. He finished his senior campaign averaging 20.1 points, 4.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds. He’s an excellent athlete, but he still needs to improve his outside shooting. He shot just 31.4 percent from the arc last year.

Craft averaged less than 10 points and less than five assists and shot 30 percent from three his senior season. No wonder he didn’t get drafted! But he’s a feisty little defender and a recognizable name. He’ll get his chance in summer league.

Triche showed promise as a backcourt scorer in his first two seasons as Syracuse, but regressed badly with his long range shooting. Alas, he’ll get a chance to play with the Knicks summer league team. He’ll need to improve from deep to have a shot at making the roster; he shot just 28.8 percent from there last season.

The former Duke Blue Devil will have his tryout with the Miami Heat. Dawkins is almost exclusively a jump shooter, much like former Duke teammate, Seth Curry. It’s unlikely he makes the Heat roster, but teams around the league are quick to snatch up three-point threats to stash in their D-League affiliates.

Kilpatrick has a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot with Philadelphia, a team bare of real NBA talent. Kilpatrick is almost exclusively a scorer, but he’s very good at it, able to score from anywhere on the floor and get to the free throw line.

CJ Fair, Dallas Mavericks

Fair is an undersized power forward without the skills to play on the perimeter. He’s a very good athlete, though, and a pesky defender.

Another player with a chance to make a roster, Kane can do just about anything on the basketball floor. He’s a bull with the ball in his hands, a good rebounder, passer and improved shooter. The problem is that he’s already 25-years-old, but that becomes less of a problem considering the Lakers need players who can help them win now.

Ross made a peculiar decision to leave for the NBA and winded up undrafted. But, like Kane, he’s in a nice spot here with L.A. The Lakers have a near-empty roster and can afford to take a chance on Ross. He has nice size for the forward spot and he’s a good spot up shooter, but he’s a bad defender and doesn’t create much offense off the bounce.