Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Sean Kilpatrick’s Rocky Road in the NBA

By Zach Cronin

Mar 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) reaches for the net during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) reaches for the net during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Summer of ’15

Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Sean Kilpatrick (25) shoots the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Sean Kilpatrick (25) shoots the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No NBA franchise wanted to give him a roster spot despite his improved play with Delaware, but the Milwaukee Bucks gave him a chance with their Summer League team and Kilpatrick took it in stride. Typically, guys who have NBA experience are noticeably better than their contemporaries in the SL, and Kilpatrick was no exception. The Bucks finished 0-3, but Kilpatrick was impressive–very impressive.

He averaged 17 points per game on 44 percent shooting, and exploded for 26 on 9/12 shooting in the first game of the Summer League tournament, and the 24-seed Bucks upset the nine-seed Rockets 97-93. The magic stopped there, and Kilpatrick mustered 16 points in each of his final two SL games against Phoenix and the Knicks.

That stretch was enough for the Pelicans to offer Kilpatrick a spot on their team, and Kilpatrick inked a contract with them on September 10. Unfortunately, it was a situation that he’d be in before. And the Pelicans waived him after five preseason games where he averaged 10.1 points.

Next: The Turnaround