Brooklyn Nets: 2018 NBA Draft grades
By Alec Liebsch
No. 40: Rodions Kurucs, Lithuania
While many consider the Nets to have a need for immediate talent, selecting a draft-and-stash player might be the better option after all. With an upside-laden pick like Kurucs on the board, it’s hard to find a quarrel with this pick.
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Kurucs is extremely raw, and probably won’t come over immediately. However, the upside tied to his physical attributes can’t be overlooked. At 6’9″ and 200 pounds, Kurucs looks the part of a modern NBA wing. His length gave him copious opportunities to swipe the ball from opponents, as evidenced by his seven steals in just 57 minutes for FC Barcelona.
He projects as a shooter as well, although his limited sample size at FC Barcelona (2-of-6 from beyond the arc) won’t tell you that. However, his smooth stroke mustn’t be overlooked; he sets up well with his feet and hands. I advertised his value at No. 40 a few weeks ago, and his upside is still palpable.
Overall, Kurucs’s 3-and-D potential is tantalizing. He doesn’t project as a star, but his potential as a quality two-way role player is tangible. In an era that emphasizes the need for two-way players, Kurucs can certainly make his mark on the NBA. The need for longer, malleable wings is imperative, and Rodions Kurucs has the ability to meld into that role seamlessly.
Grade: B-