The Chicago Bulls had an easy decision to make with the No. 4 pick. With AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer no longer on the board, taking Caleb Wilson was a no-brainer. Then, things got a bit trickier.
Bryson Graham zagged when everyone else was zigging. He used the No. 15 pick to get Texas standout Dailyn Swain, a high-flying and even more polarizing prospect who, on paper, could provide an instant spark on offense.
But after watching Swain have one of the most dreadful performances in NBA Summer League history, they might be forced to change their approach with him. As Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report pointed out, he might have to spend some time in the G League.
The Bulls must tread carefully with Dailyn Swain's development
"The Chicago Bulls becoming more competitive this season could lead to G League stints for Dailyn Swain. Summer league served as a reminder that he'll need to become a more threatening shooter, particularly if the point-wing experiment isn't looking promising," wrote Wasserman.
Swain made some solid plays off the ball, but he just couldn't buy a bucket. He knocked down four of 31 shot attempts in four Summer League games, shooting a horrid 12.9 percent from the floor. He missed 18 consecutive shots at one point.
Granted, the Summer League is often irrelevant, but this goes well beyond the stat sheet. He made bad decisions, his handles were erratic, and he just looked overwhelmed every single time he was dared to shoot.
The Bulls still have more than enough time to help him get out of his own head. There's also the preseason to give him another opportunity to leave those woes behind and show that it was just another case of the jitters.
That said, it's hard to believe he'll be ready to play meaningful minutes with the pros this season, at least early on. The G League might actually be a blessing for him, as he'll play with less pressure, against lesser competition, and with more freedom to make mistakes and work on his flaws.
Swain was already a long shot to start at shooting guard, at least early on, as Norman Powell will most likely slide to the two, with Matas Buzelis moving to the three. But now, unless there's some real progress, he might not play much for Tiago Splitter in his first year in the league.
The physical tools and athleticism are there, and he has the potential to be an elite slasher and an explosive scorer. However, he has to crawl before he can walk, let alone run, and that's what the G League is for, as disappointing as this situation might be now.
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