Brooklyn Nets: 3 former first-rounders Sean Marks could give a fresh start
By Mike Luciano
The Brooklyn Nets are in the process of still trying to find complementary pieces that can be used to help James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving after their early exit from the postseason. Look for Sean Marks decide to target some cheaper free agents out there on the market.
Every season, the first round ends up almost equally full of superstar players who changed the direction of a franchise and busts that washed out of the NBA after just a handful of seasons. However, not all of the players who busted did so because they were bad at basketball.
Some players came straight out of college at 19 years old and were expected to be both a game-changing player on the court and stabilizing force off of it for what are lousy franchises in most cases. Sometimes, it takes a role on a team like the Nets who are vying for a championship to kick-start their pro career.
These three former first-round picks have not performed up to their capability, but they could become solid role players if the Nets take a chance on them.
These 3 former first-rounders could earn time with the Brooklyn Nets.
3. Marquese Chriss
Chriss was picked eighth overall after a draft-day trade left him in the possession of the Phoenix Suns, who added him and Dragan Bender in a notoriously terrible draft class. Chriss has averaged just 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, never developing the offensive game the Suns expected.
Chriss, who played in just two games with the Warriors last year before Golden State dumped him, still is a top-shelf athlete for the position, and he will turn just 24 years old in a couple of days. Brooklyn could utilize someone with his skillset.
Marquese Chriss could link up with the Brooklyn Nets.
DeAndre Jordan was a complete non-factor on the offensive end for the Nets this season due to how limited he has become physically, and Blake Griffin is nothing like the skywalker who was making jaws drop when he was with the Clippers. Chriss could earn a role as a backup with this offense.
All he has to do is scoop up rebounds and finish easy looks inside, as doing so could help him show off what all the hype was about. Even if he never becomes a plus defender considering how his career has gone to this point, he could help a Nets team that is looking to somehow beef up their interior depth.