Brooklyn Nets: Analyzing Brooklyn’s Needs In First Round of 2013 NBA Draft

The Brooklyn Nets must draft a forward with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. (image via NBA.com)

The Brooklyn Nets have a lot of work to do in order to compete for an NBA championship next season and it all starts with the 2013 NBA draft.

The Nets finished the 2012-13 season 49-33 and earned their first playoff appearance in six seasons, only to be bounced in the first round by an injury-riddled Chicago Bulls squad.

Brooklyn’s early exit from the postseason highlighted one glaring need that the Nets have to address this offseason: depth.

The positions where the Nets really need depth are at the forward positions. Point guard Deron Williams, center Brook Lopez and shooting guard Joe Johnson are all quality players at their respected positions, but Brooklyn needs more out of the small forward and power forward spots.

The Nets need more depth at small forward to combat Gerald Wallace’s inconsistent play. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule)

Reggie Evans was a beast on the glass for Brooklyn (11.1 rebounds per game), but his lack of consistent scoring should have the Nets looking for a player in the draft who can come off the bench and add instant offense.

The same can be said for Gerald Wallace, who was just atrocious this season, averaging a mere 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor and 28 percent from beyond the arc.

Clearly, Brooklyn has a need for depth at the 3 and 4 spots on the floor.

Owning the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the draft, the Nets have to be smart and do their research, because there isn’t going to be an Otto Porter or Anthony Bennett that late in the draft.

Given their pick in the draft, I think the Nets should look at players like Ohio State small forward Deshaun Thomas and N.C. State power forward C.J. Leslie at No. 22.

Thomas would be a huge change of pace for Brooklyn at the 3, as he’s a straight scorer. He averaged 19.8 points per game in his final season with the Buckeyes and is an athletic wing who penetrates and rebounds well. The 6’7″ forward also has some range from three-point territory, making him a threat to spread the floor against opposing defenses.

Leslie, on the other hand, is a straight athlete at the power forward position. The 6’9″ forward runs the floor like a guard and has Blake Griffin-like finishing ability above the rim.

He averaged 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game last season and is one of the better shot blockers in the draft.

According to William Rausch of the Brooklyn Game, there’s some interest here on the Nets’ part, as they’re slated to host Leslie in a workout on Monday, June 27. Another player who will be working out alongside Leslie is Tony Mitchell, a power forward from North Texas, who could also be a difference maker for Brooklyn next season.

Mitchell averaged 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while posing as an absolute rim-protector, posting nearly three blocks per game.

Ultimately, the Nets have to be looking for an athletic wing—whether it be at the 3 or the 4—to add scoring. I wouldn’t mind it if they targeted a three-point shooter, especially with C.J. Watson reportedly opting out of of his deal to become a free agent.

I’ve seen some people argue that Brooklyn needs depth at center and while I don’t necessarily disagree with that notion, I think the first-round pick has to be a forward.
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