Potential Brooklyn Nets Targets in the Second Round of the 2017 NBA Draft
By Josh Rudy
Picks 50-60
Since the arrival of Sean Marks, the Brooklyn Nets have taken the approach of searching for “undervalued” talent. At this late in the draft, it will be interesting to see what they muster up. Marks and the entire Brooklyn staff are well aware of the players who have been drafted within this range before. Some of those players include: Manu Ginobili (57), Isaiah Thomas (60) and Kyle Korver (51). Obviously, the Nets would love to add a player of similar caliber.
Searching for high potential prospects in this given range, here are the two players the Nets could target.
Kobi Simmons (6’5, 175 lbs)
Age: 19
Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
College: Arizona
College Statistics (2016-17): 37 GP, 23.5 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.6 APG
Draft Projections
NBADraft.net: 41st
DraftExpress: 55th
SEC Country: 55th
After appearing in all 37 games as a true freshman at Arizona, Simmons opted to enter the draft, despite being viewed as a second-round pick. He wasn’t a player who took the college basketball world by storm, but he displayed the potential to mature into an all-around player at the next level.
He shot 39.7% from the field as a freshman. At 19 years old, and with the athleticism he brings to the table, the Nets should conduct their due diligence on the Arizona product.
MUST READ: Five potential Long Island Nets call-ups
In a massive PAC-12 matchup on the road against UCLA, Simmons put on an incredible perfomance. He uses his size to elevate over smaller defenders and shows the ability to shoot from distance. However, what impressed me the most was his defense, pay attention to his techniques (2:50). Simmons posted a Defensive Rating of 103.6 in his lone year at Arizona, and you can see the potential he posses as a defender. He uses his length to get steals, and is willing to “get his nose dirty” and step in the path of defenders. Check it out (Simmons displays eye-popping ability during 1:36-2:00):
Simmons comparison: Patrick Beverly/Nick Young
Alpha Kaba (6’10, 230 lbs)
Age: 21
Position: C
Hometown/Team: France; Mega Vizura International
2016-17 Statistics: 42 GP, 22.6 MPG, 9.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.2 APG
Draft Projections
NBADraft.net: 52nd
DraftExpress: 56th
SEC Country: 53rd
Kaba is an intriguing prospect. With the Nets seeking size and help on the boards, they could find value in the big man out of France. Kaba pulled down an average of 7.6 rebounds while playing only 22.6 minutes in his past campaign with Mega Vizura.
Perhaps his most impressive tool, he holds an incredible 7’5″ wingspan. While he doesn’t block as many shots as the Nets would probably like, he is a player they could let develop with Long Island for a couple of years.
Kaba Comparison: Andray Blatche + Rebounding Ability
The Nets have a wonderful opportunity to add key pieces to the roster in an attempt to speed up the rebuild. Based on the work the scouting team has been conducting, you can see the Nets are taking this process seriously.
Next: Brooklyn Nets potential veteran free agent targets
Who will Brooklyn select on June 22nd? Will they be picking in their current positions, or will they make draft night trades? We’ll know soon enough.