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Is it worth it for the Brooklyn Nets to tank next season?

By Kunal Kohli

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Sean Marks, GM of the Brooklyn Nets, introduces D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov during a press conference on June 26, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Sean Marks, GM of the Brooklyn Nets, introduces D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov during a press conference on June 26, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The 2019 NBA Draft marks the return of the Brooklyn Nets owning their own pick. Many have theorized that the Nets will tank next season in order to maximize their chances of getting a star. But will the 2019 Draft provide one?

If 2018 is a loaded draft with Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Marvin Bagley, then 2019 is exploding with talent. Zion Williamson, Bol Bol and R.J. Barrett all headline one of most promising draft classes in years. But are they all potential or is there some merit to their reputation?

The 2018 Draft is filled with shooters. Just take a look at Doncic and Young who have seemed to come from the Steph Curry school of three-point shooting. However, the opposite is true for the 2019 Draft. Bol Bol and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the only two players in NBADraft.net’s projected top-10 that are known to be consistent three-point threats.

This might work in the Nets’ favor. While Brooklyn has shot the three rather abysmally this year, shooting the second-most attempts while converting at the sixth-worst percentage, many of those attempts are contested. Getting a guy that could dominate in the paint, like Williamson, Bol or Barrett, would draw defenders into the paint. That leaves shooters open.

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And some of these guys are serious threats in the paint. Barrett is incredibly dangerous when he drives to the bucket and is either scoring or drawing a foul. He has great body control and, although he is not explosive, he has a ton of elevation. If he’s hot, he can take you down from the three-point line as well.

Bol, on the other hand, is the second coming of Kristaps Porzingis. His father Manute was the tallest player in league history and was a shot blocker. Only, he did not do much else. His son is a different story. Bol can do it all on the court. He has a consistent three-point shot, is explosive in the paint and is as good of a shot blocker as his dad.

Next: Tanking is in play next season

Then there’s Williamson. He is built to dominate in the paint. He is perhaps the best dunker to come into the league since Zach LaVine. Just take a look at his highlight tape.

If Brooklyn can get any one of these three, tanking will be worth it. Even getting Cameron Reddish, Daniel Gifford or O’Shae Brissett would be worth it. While they are not guaranteed to be stars, they are as close as you can get.