Brooklyn Nets 2019 Offseason Preview

Potential draft targets

Mfiondu Kabengele, C, Florida State: Mfiondu Kabengele has been rising up draft boards ahead of Thursday’s draft. The ACC Sixth Man of the Year flashed a versatile skill set last season, averaging 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per gmae.

The big man posted great measurements at the combine at 6-foot-10 and 259 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. Kabengele has the size and athleticism to be an impact player on both ends of the floor at the next level.

Offensively, Kabengele’s could fit Brooklyn’s system as a stretch big who can finish in the pick-and-roll.

The redshirt sophomore showed good touch from outside last season, converting on 24-of-65 (36.9 percent) 3-point attempts, along with the coordination to finish consistently in the pick-and-roll. Both are strengths that the Nets will be looking for in a big.

More importantly, the Florida State product has the bulk and physical tools to control the boards and anchor the paint defensively, areas Jarrett Allen struggled with last season. He also has the mobility to switch off screens and guard on the perimeter.

Kabengele turns 22 in August, hurting his upside case, but the big man has the intangibles that the Nets are looking for. He could go as early as the late teens, but if he falls to 27, Kabengele could be the dream selection.

Bruno Fernando , C, Maryland: Bruno Fernando is one of the biggest question marks heading into this year’s draft. At 6-foot-10 and 237 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and extremely broad shoulders, he has the physical tools of an elite center, but his game shows several red flags.

Most of Fernando’s game is played above the rim, similar to Jarrett Allen. He excels as a finisher in the pick and roll off of lobs and is a presence as a shot blocker (1.9 blocks per game). The big man is also very mobile in the open court and can finish in transition.

Fernando was able to put the ball on the floor and flashed a smooth rhythm jumper at times. There is hope he could develop his outside shot based on his solid form and 77.9 percent (113-for-145) free-throw shooting.

The red flags stem from Fernando’s decision making on both ends of the floor. He averaged a team-high 2.8 turnovers per game and often found himself out of position defensively, consistently biting on shot fakes and getting in foul trouble.

The big man’s impact defensively was limited by his narrow court awareness and understanding of offensive sets.

Despite these red flags, Fernando plays with a passion and high motor that coaches will love. Montrezl Harrell’s game has been a frequent comparison. Harrell was an early second-round pick and has flourished with the Clippers, relying on his physicality and effort to impact the game.

Fernando’s physical prowess and poor decision making have him all over the place in mock drafts, ranging from as high as No. 18 to as low as 40th. If he can develop his understanding of the game, Fernando has the physical tools and motor to excel as a modern center in today’s NBA.

Nicolas Claxton, C, Georgia: Nicolas Claxton may have the highest ceiling of any big that will fall in Brooklyn’s range. The sophomore broke out after moving into a playmaking role last season, averaging 13.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

Standing 7-feet with a 7-foot-2.5 wingspan, Claxton has an offensive dexterity that is rare for someone that size. The big man was comfortable as a ball handler in the half-court and transition.

He has the potential to develop as a shooter, converting on 26-of-86 (30.2 percent) 3-point attempts in two seasons at Georgia.

Claxton’s athleticism allows him to switch and guard on the perimeter. His impressive mobility and 9-foot-2 standing reach allow him to rotate and block shots with ease.

The drawback with Claxton is his underdeveloped frame. He weighed in at just 217 pounds at the combine and was overpowered at times down low in college. Brooklyn may have a tough time pulling the trigger on the big man given Jarrett Allen’s struggles matching up with bulkier centers.

Claxton has a ways to go in terms of his frame, but he offers versatility on both ends of the floor that screams upside. If Brooklyn is set on taking a big, he could be the fallback plan as a developmental pick.

KZ Okpala, SF, Stanford: KZ Okpala would be an upside pick with the potential to blossom into a starting-caliber two-way wing, arguably the most valuable position in today’s NBA.

The sophomore averaged 16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds on his way to a first-team All-Pac-12 selection last season. Standing 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Okpala has the size of a power forward with the athleticism of a versatile wing.

While he is raw offensively, Okpala consistently finds ways to create his own shot out of the pick and roll and isolation. A quick first step and long strides allow him to attack defenders on closeouts and finish at the rim.

Okpala has yet to show consistency as a shoot but improved from 3 last season, knocking down 32-of-87 (36.7 percent) attempts.

The forward can switch 1 through 5 defensively, using his length and quick feet to contest shots and get in passing lanes on the perimeter.

Okpala’s physical tools as a two-way player give him tremendous upside in the late first-round. Brooklyn acquired Taurean Prince, who will be a restricted free agent after next season, on the wing.

Okpala could present a cheaper option with the potential to develop into a starter towards the end of his rookie contract.

Luka Samamic, PF, Croatia: Following a strong performance at the NBA combine, Luka Samanic has put himself in position to be a first-round pick.

At 6-foot-11 with solid ball-handling ability, Samanic fits the mold of a modern forward. The 19-year-old played for Petrol Olimpija in Slovenia this season and was previously a member of the FC Barcelona B club, the former team of Rodions Kurucs.

Samanic impressed scouts with his ability to attack defenders off the dribble and switch effectively defensively. He moves extremely well for his size, allowing him to run the floor in transition and penetrate in the halfcourt.

A career 31.9 percent 3-point shooter, Samanic will need to improve from deep to put pressure on more athletic defenders at the next level.

The forward has gained weight over recent weeks, weighing in at 227 pounds at the combine, but will need to continue to fill out his frame to hold up on the glass and in the post.

Samanic does a little bit of everything and has potential as a two-way forward with a diverse offensive skill set. Brooklyn found a hidden gem in Kurucs in the second round of last year’s draft. Sean Marks could take a shot on Samanic and hope he fits a similar mold.

Darius Bazely, SF, Princeton High School (Sharonville, Ohio): There may not be a bigger risk-reward prospect in this year’s draft than Darius Bazley.

The former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American was committed to Syracuse before deciding to sit out last season and signed a $1 million internship with New Balance.

Bazley impressed with a strong performance at the combine after spending the season with a trainer working on his body. He has tremendous size on the wing at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan and 8-foot-11 standing reach.

The forward is an explosive athlete with the ability to play above the rim and grab and go in transition. He flashed solid ball handling and finishing ability out of the pick and roll at the combine.

Bazley’s length and quick feet should serve him well on the defensive end as he fills out his 208-pound frame.

There are numerous questions about Bazley’s game heading into the draft. He has yet to prove himself a consistent shooter and lacks experience against top-level competition.

There will be a clear learning curve as he breaks into the league having missed a full year of on-court development.

While he is very raw, there is no doubting Bazley’s physical profile and fluid athletic ability. The Ohio native turned 19 last week and has tremendous upside as an ultra-athletic wing.

Sean Marks has had his eye on Bazley and attended one of the 19-year-old’s workouts ahead of Thursday’s draft. Bazley would be a risky pick for Brooklyn but has the potential to be a home run down the road.