Brooklyn Nets: Pre-free agency roundtable

1. Before we kick off the pre-free agency portion of this roundtable, what were your thoughts on the Nets draft outcome last week? How do you like Jarrett Allen as a prospect, and what grade would you give general manager Sean Marks for the job he did in the draft?

Billy Reinhardt (WFVU-New York):  I was certainly surprised by the selection of Jarrett Allen. Throughout the draft process, I didn’t think Allen fit the mold of what the Nets were looking for in a center. I was under the assumption that the Nets would try replicating the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks and were going to want a skilled and versatile center type, like Al Horford or Tim Duncan.

However, the pick of Allen signified to me that the Nets were looking for a defensive-oriented, “lobs and blocks” type big, similar to what the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors seek in their centers. With the loss of Brook Lopez, Jarrett Allen was a strong value pick at 22 to add to the Nets’ young core. In the second round, the Nets did well to draft and stash stretch-4 Aleksander Vezenkov. Overall, I would give Sean Marks a solid B for the draft.

Jaime Oppenheim (SiriusXM NBA Radio):  Before the draft I said Marks’ grade would be pass/fail based on adding at least one long-term starter. The Nets left draft week with two long-term starters (D’Angelo Russell and Allen), so Marks has earned himself an A.

Regardless of what the Lakers thought about him, Russell still has legitimate All-Star ability, which he flashed under dismal circumstances in Los Angeles. Allen was the most talented prospect that could realistically fall to the Nets at No. 22, even if he doesn’t fit the five-out look Kenny Atkinson used on offense last year. When engaged, he can singlehandedly wreck an opponent’s offense.

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Justin Salkin (HoopsCritic.com):  If you count the Brook Lopez trade (they dealt the 27th pick in the trade), I would give Marks an A (with A+ as the maximum grade).  If you do not count the trade, I would give Marks a B+.

I like the Allen pick. The pick reflects that Marks has a modern vision for the future of the Nets, and is targeting the right types of players and talent. Every good team needs a big who can switch onto smalls, guard the pick-and-roll, hedge and recover, and grab rebounds. Allen needs time to grow but he fits that mold of player. Drafting him, over maybe a senior who would produce more in 2017-18 in the short-term, reflects that Marks has a long-term focus.

The only small ding I give Marks is that he did not buy a second round pick. While he said he did not like anyone on the board, even just buying a player to stash, or bring to camp, would have provided an extra shot at a player going forward.

Douglas Bearak (Brooklyn Nets Super-fan):  Jarrett Allen is only 19, meaning he has a lot of time to grow.  Thankfully, he’s in an organization with a coach famed for his development of players.  Coach Kenny Atkinson should be able to transform Allen into a solid big in today’s NBA.

He can run the floor, he can leap, and he can show off his wingspan. While those may seem minor, I think we should be optimistic on what he can do with those skills.  He should become a solid defensive threat with some offensive hustle. While I doubt he can learn to space the floor like Brook Lopez, I think he can develop toughness like Timofey Mozgov. He will likely battle in the paint for as many boards as possible.

While I do not expect him to average a double-double tease in his rookie season, I do believe his ceiling will allow him to get those kind of numbers in a few years. Who knows, maybe he will skip the G-League like Isaiah Whitehead and become an immediate impact player?

I’m sure Sean Marks and his team did their research.  I’m just ready for this gem of a rookie to shine as soon as possible.  I expect him to have some fun highlights during his Nets tenure.  Therefore, I will give this pick a B- with a potential to be an A-.