Brooklyn Nets: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Drafting Rodions Kurucs

Sean Marks had his eyes on European players this summer, as he used the 40th overall pick to select 20-year-old Latvian Rodions Kurucs. One month later, he signed the prospect to a four-year deal worth around $6.6 million.

Kurucs spent last season playing for FC Barcelona, averaging 10.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. These aren’t exactly eye-popping numbers, but his minutes were limited. The coaching staff was aware of his NBA ambitions, so they decided to focus on developing other players.

At 6’9″ and 190 pounds, he is the ideal height for a small forward in the NBA, but like Musa, his weight could be an issue. However, he averaged 2.9 steals per 36 minutes last season in Europe, and his athleticism allows him to overcompensate for his small frame.

The downside to Kurucs is his shot selection. He is a streaky shooter who tends to make bad decisions, and only shot 33 percent from beyond the arc last year. He also lacks the ability to create his own shot in isolation, and due to his limited playing time in Europe, he doesn’t have much game experience against top-level competition.

Marks obviously has high hopes for Kurucs, as three of four years on his contract are guaranteed. However, he needs to refine his game and decision-making before seeing minutes in the NBA.

Grade: C+