NBA summer league may seem ridiculous to some players, just as pre-season in the NFL can be, but it’s an important stepping stone for rookies and those still adjusting to the elite level.
Even I will admit, I used to think summer league was a waste of time and that it didn’t amount to anything. After watching the Jazz summer league firsthand and hearing what the players had to say, however, it makes more sense to me why it is such a valuable process.
Trey Lyles did not even play the first night for the Jazz, and while they did not necessarily need him on the floor after winning by 18 points, the experience is irreplaceable and is probably why he played in at least the last game.