New Orleans Pelicans sign Jalen Adams to Summer League squad
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed Jalen Adams to the NBA Summer League roster. The UCONN product has the potential to earn some regular season minutes but needs to show he can handle the heat of Las Vegas before getting run in the regular season.
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed University of Connecticut guard Jalen Adams to an Exhibit 10 contract. Adams will join the team immediately in preparation for NBA Summer League action.
Jalen Adams played four years at UConn, adapting to his role each season. He was a solid freshman, providing efficient minutes but lacking a shooting rhythm. As a sophomore, UConn asked him to be a distributing guard—Adams posted a career-high 6.1 assists per game.
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The last two years of college were Jalen Adams’ time to shine. Adams averaged 18.1 points and 4.7 assists per game his junior season. As a senior, Adams was the Huskies leading scorer when he suffered a knee injury in February.
Adams can rebound well for a guard, pulling down over four a game in his last three college seasons. He averaged 1.1 steals a game for all but his junior season when he snagged 1.5 per game.
He will at least earn a two-way contract if he continues his shooting evolution. Adams only made 27.3% of his threes as a freshman. As a senior, he connected on 35.5% of his attempts. Oddly enough, Adams best year from the free throw line was his first college season. He made 86% as a freshman, followed by 82.8%, 79.6%, and 82.9% seasons.
Jalen Adams is developing a shot. His defense needs some work. His passing and handles are below adequate. Adams had trouble when pressed, both in handling the ball and passing out of trouble.
Jalen Adams has a turnover problem. In his four college seasons, Adams averaged 1.7, 3.1, 2.8, and 2.9 turnovers per game. Two or three giveaways per game will cost teams playoff appearances. The New Orleans Pelicans will give Adams a chance. He cannot make the team giving away the ball.
Adams will be given plenty of chances during summer league play. NBA Summer League action is notorious for a fast pace and players looking to get their numbers. The two most telling stats of Adams’ summer will be his assist and turnover rates.
The New Orleans Pelicans have plenty of wings to cut, screen, and dunk. Those wings need Adams to show he is a capable ball handler and floor spacer. Hard work on the boards to earn extra possessions would help to get noticed. Turnovers will get Adams noticed for all the wrong reasons.
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Adams has a shot. Trajan Langdon will go to bat for a proper UConn alum with potential. He will not stand for lost possessions before Zion even has a chance to touch the ball.