The end of December and start of January are busy times for college fans. Players are making cases for why they should take the next step to the pros. Since the Brooklyn Nets have the Toronto Raptors’ pick, they have options.
If the Toronto Raptors continue their success, the Brooklyn Nets will likely pick in the late 20’s. They have done well post-lottery. Just take a look at Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen. LeVert was taken with the 20th pick overall in 2016, while Allen was taken with the 22nd.
But, the Nets might not have as high of a pick as they did the past two drafts. Currently, Nbadraft.net lists the Nets as having the 26th pick overall.
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In some drafts, this means the Nets would get a player to pad the Long Island Nets or a Euro-stash. However, the 2018 NBA Draft looks to be a pretty deep one. Just look at some of the players projected from No. 22 to 30.
Hamidou Diallo could be an absolute stud at the NBA level. He is as explosive as they come and has great length for a shooting guard. While he has a pretty awful jumper, it looks like it can be fixed. However, the Nets do not need another shooting guard, especially with D’Angelo Russell, Joe Harris and Allen Crabbe on the roster.
They could take a small forward to back up LeVert or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Nbadraft.net has the Nets taking Dzanan Musa out of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At 6’9″, he has the perfect height for the three, but he only weighed 195 pounds at the 2015 EuroCamp, according to DraftExpress. That lack of strength is concerning but if another certain European draftee taken by the Nets crosstown rival is of any indication, he will gain some muscle.
If his highlight reel is any indication, however, he has a great jumpshot and plays tough defense.
The Nets could also take Auburn big Austin Wiley. The center has not played due to concerns about his eligibility. But that should not have a ton of bearing on his decision to enter the draft. Many touted Wiley to be a one-and-done prospect as left high school.
Brooklyn has a ton of options and it is still way to early to say for sure. But they should have an eye on college basketball in the coming months.