Hoops Habit
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: Types of players to look at in 2018 NBA Draft

By Alec Liebsch

BROOKLYN, NY - June 23: General Manager Sean Marks and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets introduce 2017 draft pick Jarrett Allen on June 23, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - June 23: General Manager Sean Marks and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets introduce 2017 draft pick Jarrett Allen on June 23, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a crucial offseason for the Brooklyn Nets’ future, the moves they make will have monumental effects down the line.

The NBA Draft has varying value to different franchises. For the inferior teams, it is a chance to acquire high-caliber young talent and see if they can pull their respective teams out of the NBA basement. For contenders, it is an avenue to acquire cheap labor and fill needs before free agency.

The Brooklyn Nets obviously fall in the former category. Unlike most lottery teams, however, they must do so without their own first-round pick. With only a late one from the Toronto Raptors to bolster their young core, it is evident that they must strike with it. Thankfully, general manager Sean Marks has proven he can do a lot with very little. Late first round picks such as Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are evidence of his shrewdness.

Due to the current makeup of the roster, Brooklyn’s priority will almost certainly be to draft for talent as opposed to fit. The interchangeability of players like LeVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson makes this even easier. So with that in mind, there are several types of players the Nets can target with this pick (currently slotted at No. 28 if the season ended today).

Every once in a while, an upside-laden prospect falls down the draft board due to medical red flags. Recent examples include constantly-injured Harry Giles, then-injured OG Anunoby, and Brooklyn’s very own LeVert. These prospects fell because front offices were reluctant to take the risk of never seeing said player hit the floor.

Additionally, other prospects have fallen due to fear of the unknown. Players such as Thon Maker, who took an entire season off, and Terrance Ferguson, who chose to play professionally overseas as opposed to in college, are prone to fall simply because not enough is known about them.

More from Brooklyn Nets

The former concept has few examples so far, but a player could get injured during the NCAA Tournament. Injuries are a concern the minute a player steps on the court.

The latter concerns with variance lie mostly in international prospects, but like Maker, domestic cases exist as well. They often play against inferior levels of competition than college prospects (leave Luka Doncic out of this), so the leagues rarely have comparability.

Dzanan Musa, a wing from Bosnia and Herzegovina, could fall to the Nets pick due to this exact issue. No one will know how his game translates until he steps on an NBA floor.

Anfernee Simons, a guard at IMG Academy, is a huge unknown. He lacks experience against other top prospects due to still being in high school.

Mitchell Robinson, a center who did not play for anyone this season, is another huge question mark. His wingspan and frame are fantastic, per DraftExpress.com, but taking such a long time off clouds his NBA outlook.

These are the types of prospects who have the potential to considerably outperform their stocks, should they fall. Market inefficiencies such as these are the perfect chances for talent-hungry franchises to strike.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft - Early March Mock Draft

The Nets could poach a player like this if one falls. This risk-reward seesaw is much easier for teams like Brooklyn, who are simply in need of whatever kind of elite talent they can get. If the selection pans out, he will look like a steal. And if anyone can get good value from a low draft pick, it’s Marks.

Home/Brooklyn Nets