Pre-Draft Outlook
The Nets missed the playoffs for the second straight season, but weren’t that bad. Their odds for landing a top-four pick were low and they fell to the eighth pick. They have oodles of cap space (more than twice as much as any other team) and future Draft picks with which to acquire veteran talent, but don’t have the requisite complementary players with which to surround a star and immediately move to the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Way to Go
Not getting a top-four pick may encourage the Nets to spend another season at the bottom of the standings and try again for a difference-maker out of the Draft. Four first-round picks this year give them options for trades, but also gives them four bites at the apple should they keep them all. They should be looking for high-ceiling players including Egor Demin, Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach or Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 8.
— John Schuhmann
Here’s a quick look at Brooklyn’s current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G/F: Dariq Whitehead
F Tosan Evbuomwan
F: Cameron Johnson
F: Maxwell Lewis
F/C: Noah Clowney
C: Nic Claxton
Free Agents
G: Reece Beekman
G: Tyson Etienne
G: Keon Johnson
G: De’Anthony Melton
G: D’Angelo Russell
G: Cam Thomas
G/F: Trendon Watford
F: Tyrese Martin
F: Drew Timme
F: Ziaire Williams
F: Jalen Wilson
C: Day’Ron Sharpe