This summer, Emmanuel Mudiel, who has been unpopular in the NBA free market, moved to Europe to join Lithuanian giants Sargilis. For Mudiel, who is in his current year, landing in Europe is indeed a good choice. If he can play well in Europe, he has a chance to return to the NBA. However, from the current point of view, Mudiel's performance is really bad. Playing in six games, Mudiel averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.0 turnovers per game, shooting 35.3 percent from the field, 18.2 percent from three-point range and 80.8 percent from the free throw line.
When it comes to Mudiel, I believe that many Chinese fans will not feel strange, because he has played in the CBA. Mudiel was the nation's no. 1 high school student and was a pick picker for the 2015 NBA Draft. After graduating from high school, the 18-year-old Mudiel did not enter the NCAA, but chose to go to China on the other side of the Pacific ocean and signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Guangdong men's basketball team. Although Mudiel, who is the first high school student in the United States, is full of talent, he is still a bit naïve when he debuts in the professional arena. Mudiel's CBA career was not successful, playing 12 games, averaging 31.1 minutes per game, 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals, and his CBA experience also caused his NBA draft to decline.
In the 2015 NBA Draft, Mudiay was selected by the Nuggets with the 7th pick in the first round. The Nuggets have groomed Mudiel as the core of the rebuild, but his performance has been disappointing. In the rookie season, Mudiel posted a good statistic of averaging 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game, but only 36.4% from the field and 31.9% from three-point range. Mudiel, who is 1.96 meters tall, is a fast, impactful tall point guard, but after entering the NBA, his advantages have not been fully exerted, and the shortcomings of the projection have become more and more obvious. After two and a half seasons with the Nuggets, Mudiay began a wandering career, tossing the Knicks and Jazz. Although Mudiel has a good performance stage, he is still not stable enough. Played in the NBA for five seasons, played 300 regular season games, averaged 23.9 minutes per game, had 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 0.7 steals, shooting 40.1% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range. In short, Mudiel is an inefficient scorer.
Mudiel, who had not played in a season last season, chose to move to Europe, a decision that was correct, but from the current point of view, he still struggles. Mudiel has plenty of opportunities at Sargilis, averaging 25.3 minutes per game and 8.5 shots per game, which is quite a lot in Europe. However, Mudiel is still an old problem, and the shooting is too poor, resulting in more inability to eat in Europe. You know, the Europa League doesn't have to defend for three seconds, and it becomes harder to break through. As of now, Mudiel has played a good game. In the second round of the Lithuanian LCL League regular season against Zukia, Mudiel made 10 of 19, 12 of 14 free throws, and scored 32 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal, leading the team to a double overtime victory. In the stronger Champions League, Mudiel is even more uncomfortable, playing 2 games, averaging 20.3 minutes per game, contributing 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 3.5 turnovers, shooting 38.5% from the field and 25.0% from three-point range.
Mudiel's inefficient performance makes his situation somewhat delicate, and if he does not play a convincing performance in time, then his playing time may be reduced. Mudiel's problem is obvious, that is, the shooting is too poor. As of now, he has made 2-of-11 three-pointers in his first six games of the season. The 25-year-old Mudiel is not young, and if the shooting still does not improve, it is unrealistic for him to make a name for himself in Europe and return to the NBA.