Jerel McNeal
One man’s missed opportunity is another man’s golden window. Unfortunately for Jerel McNeal, he’s on the wrong end of the equation after the Suns announced, along with their other signings, that they had waived him. After such an underwhelming performance at Summer League, it’s hard to blame them for doing so.
McNeal had been signed through the 2015-16 season on a non-guaranteed contract, but he couldn’t even earn minutes from his old D-League coach Nate Bjorkgren with the Summer Suns after two disastrous outings in the starting lineup. In those first two games, McNeal tallied a grand total of two points, two assists and three turnovers in 22 minutes of action.
Not too surprised at the result. However, once again, McNeal was the worst PG and only got 9 minutes. Playing himself off the roster?
— Jacob Padilla (@JacobPadilla_) July 12, 2015
Funnily enough, after McNeal was replaced by Mike James in the starting lineup, he actually earned more minutes and put up nine points and seven assists over the course of the next two games, but that’s because those games were blowouts more so than McNeal actually “earning” anything.
In any event, the former Bakersfield Jam call-up is out, putting him in the same boat as Mickey McConnell and Mike James as Summer Suns point guards who have everything to prove in order to defy the odds, earn a training camp invite and somehow work their way onto the roster.
Next: Mike James