NBN Roundtable: Thoughts With the Season Winding Down
By Sandy Mui
Are there any potential Nets draft targets that have impressed you in the NCAA Tournament?
Christian Milcos (@ChristianMilcos): Bam Adebayo seems to be a very popular pick amongst the NBN community. He had a strong March, aside from the Wildcats’ Sweet 16 matchup with UCLA. His length and athleticism would fit well next to the Nets’ lumbering big man rotation of Brook Lopez and Justin Hamilton. However, his draft stock has been steadily rising as of recent. NBADraft.net currently has Adebayo projected to go to the Blazers with the 20th pick. If the Nets’ brass falls in love with him via the combine or individual workouts, then perhaps packaging their two picks in the later 20’s to move up and select him would be an intriguing option.
Tyler Lydon from Syracuse and Caleb Swanigan out of Purdue are also intriguing front court options if the Nets hold steady with their draft position. Also, Sindarius Thronwell, who willed his South Carolina Gamecocks to the Final Four, seems destined to go 15 picks too late due to age. The Nets should inquire about the Oak Hill Academy alum.
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Tyler Dencker (@T_Danks_): As history reflects, superior play in the NCAA tournament doesn’t always transfer to the NBA. However, I am hopeful that this year could be different. In terms of targets for the Nets, UNC small forward Justin Jackson has been a model of consistency in this tournament, often giving the Tar Heels a much-needed boost. His ability to step up all season long has impressed me, and I expect him to do the same this weekend. He may never be a superstar in the NBA, but he will have a large impact on whatever team he plays for. I would really love to see him in a Nets uniform come fall.
Another player that has caught my eye not only in this tournament, but all season long, is Caleb Swanigan. Man, this kid is a beast. Any team can utilize the services of a player with a body like his. Swanigan certainly has things to work on before becoming an efficient NBA player, but the potential is there. Also, even though Duke didn’t meet lofty expectations, both Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard impressed me all season long.
These aren’t the only guys that have impressed/could be great on the Nets. This draft class is so deep, and I’m confident that the Nets will have plenty of options when their pair of picks arrive.
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Matt Pisani (@pisannd5): There really is not one particular player that struck me as, “Oh man, the Nets need this player” in this year’s tournament. There are a lot of players that could fit well on the Nets. You have big men from both South Carolina and Oregon, as well as experienced and developed players from North Carolina. While there is no one player, there are a lot of solid athletes in this draft class, and it really will be difficult for fans to not be happy with just about any choice.
Jeremy Lin fans will be upset if Brooklyn takes a point guard because they would like him to start, but Lin would be a great mentor to any young guard coming in. The Nets already have Isaiah Whitehead and Spencer Dinwiddie that can run the point, but the more talent, the better, as it is a point guard-centric league nowadays. In the end, Brooklyn needs a power forward, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson should not have to play the four… ever.