Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Brooklyn Nets
- No. 29: Dzanan Musa, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- No. 40: Rodions Kurucs, Latvia
The 2018 NBA Draft didn’t bring much name recognition for fans who aren’t diligently keeping tabs on overseas prospects, but it was still a solid night for the Brooklyn Nets, who snagged two young and tall international wings.
First up was Dzanan Musa, a 19-year-old who probably would’ve garnered more attention for the things he was doing in the Croatian league if not for Doncic’s otherworldly exploits. Still, he’s an unrelenting scorer with a quick trigger at 6’9″. He’ll need to fill out his frame, get better on defense and not resort to ill-advised iso shots so often in order to become a legitimate NBA player.
Musa has a $1 million buyout and Kurucs a $4 million buyout. #Nets GM Sean Marks said he expects both to be in #NBA this coming season.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 22, 2018
Rodions Kurucs, meanwhile, is a 6’10” small forward from Latvia who can make plays off the bounce and was a target of Brooklyn’s dating back to last year. He needs to work on his defense and lateral quickness, but he’s only 20, is very smart and has potential for a second-rounder.
The Nets coughed up their last pick from the infamous Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade this year, with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking Collin Sexton at No. 8 (via the Boston Celtics). Brooklyn also sent the No. 45 pick to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the Dwight Howard trade before the draft, which the Hornets eventually traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Grade: C