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Five Players The Brooklyn Nets Should Keep

By Charles Daye

Jan 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts with the team during the third quarter against Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center. Sixers win 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts with the team during the third quarter against Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center. Sixers win 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Chris McCullough (1) dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 121-103. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Chris McCullough (1) dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 121-103. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris McCullough

The Bronx native was the 29th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Chris McCullough would have went as a lottery pick, possibly top ten or top five, if it were not for an injury sidelining him after only 16 games at Syracuse. Many viewed the Nets drafting McCullough with the 29th pick as a steal.

McCullough only played in 24 games (four starts) his rookie season due to his injury. In 15.1 minutes he averaged 4.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals. However, it should be noted most of his playing time during the 2015-2016 game in garbage times and/or once the team had no shot at competing during the postseason.

RELATED STORY: McCullough Deserves Chance in Rotation

Once Marks and Atkinson took over, McCullough was regulated to the D-League to get more accustomed to the speed of the pro game and work on his strength. This shouldn’t be seen as a negative however, considering the fact he played less than 20 college games before playing in the NBA.

Take into consideration that he played small forward throughout high school before being placed at the power forward position upon joining Syracuse. So playing the power forward position in the NBA must have been staggering for the (then) 20-year old.

Since being assigned to the D-League, McCullough has been killing it, averaging 19 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists.  Standing at 6’9” the freak athlete could dominate in the league as a prototypical stretch four if he does strengthen up and improve in the paint. If he doesn’t, he could still be an effective sharpshooter on the wing if he can translate scoring in the D-league on the 15-man roster.

Most Nets fans are anxious to see McCullough in a Brooklyn uniform instead of Long Island and some believe he would be better suited at the small forward position instead of power forward. Regardless, most Nets fans see “Brisk” as a definite building block for the future and from what we can tell, so do the Nets.