What does the addition of David Nwaba mean for the Brooklyn Nets? Let’s zone in on three things he brings to the table.
This Sunday, Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets signed free agent David Nwaba to a two-year deal on the veteran’s minimum, with a team option being in the second year of said contract.
Free agent guard David Nwaba has agreed to a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2019
With that signing, it looks like Sean Marks might be done working for the time being as the roster seems to be locked with 15 guaranteed contracts. He can now pass the reigns to Kenny Atkinson and the coaching staff to try and figure out how to best utilize the talent around him.
With that being said, here’s three things that the three year David Nwaba brings to the Brooklyn Nets.
Defense
When you bring up David Nwaba, the first thing most people bring up about him is his defense. This is the Trevor Graham replacement. Nwaba is a tough defender who has continued to make a name for himself on that end of the floor.
Don’t let his 6’4 stature fool you. Although on the shorter size, his high motor and 7’0″ wingspan allow him to guard the 1 through 3 positions and give whoever his assignment is fits. As a team that was mediocre on that end of the court last season, Nwaba is a welcomed sight, giving Kenny Atkinson a potential player to check the other team’s best perimeter player for stretches and give hell in the passing lane. His powerful frame also helps him not get bumped or forced out of position too often.
Finishing At The Rim
Nwaba is great at attacking and finishing at the rim. Off back door cuts, breaking the defense down, or on a fast break, he’s always been very efficient at converting points near or around the basket. His long arms allow him to put up a variety of floaters over opposing defenders. He’s athletic, has good vertical jumping abilities and solid hang time. These two attributes allow Nwaba time in the air to adjust to the defense and or just straight up shoot over the defense.
The same powerful frame that helps him on defense is the same frame that allows him to finish through contact often. Although just a 20 game stretch, Nwaba shot 58 percent from the field his rookie year in the league and shot 52 percent from inside the arch.
Check out this monstrous block he recorded as a member of the Lakers against Kelly Oubre, which illustrates just how athletic he actually is.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/846933563899609088?s=20
Hard Worker
David Nwaba went undrafted. He worked hard in the G-League to get a shot with the Los Angles Lakers. He played hard there, he continued that trend when he got an opportunity with the Chicago Bulls, and then again last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nwaba had to work hard for every chance he’s gotten in the league and I don’t see that changing with the Brooklyn Nets.
In college and the first year in the NBA, Nwaba shot putrid from 3. Since those 4 years, Nwaba’s 3 ball has most certainly improved—although consistency is still a plaguing issue. But under the direction of our developmental staff and Kenny Atkinson, those issues could potentially be resolved as he continues to develop.
With Nwaba, the Nets are getting a blue-collared hard worker. His high energy and effort plays will make not only make him a fan favorite in this city, but that passion he plays with is infectious. He comes from humble beginnings like many of the core pieces that have been in and out of Brooklyn the last few years so he should fit right in. I can’t wait to see what else he can bring to the team.