Brooklyn Nets 2017 Draft Thread

[shakendfries]

via Wiretap

Chad Ford of ESPN has Markelle Fultz going first overall in his 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Version 1.0.

Fultz will be a freshman point guard at Washington.

Harry Giles, Josh Jackson, Dennis Smith and Frank Ntilikina round out the top-5. Ford has Jackson ranked No. 1 on his current Big Board.

1. 76ers: Markelle Fultz
2. Celtics (via Nets): Harry Giles
3. Lakers: Josh Jackson
4. Suns: Dennis Smith
5. Kings: Frank Ntilikina
6. Nuggets: Jonathan Isaac
7. Magic: Lonzo Ball
8. Pelicans: Jayson Tatum
9. Heat: Ivan Rabb
10. Bucks: De'Aaron Fox
11. Wolves: Terrance Ferguson
12. Bulls: Jarrett Allen
13. Mavericks: Marques Bolden
14. Knicks: Malik Monk
15. Wizards: Edrice Adebayo
16. Rockets: Edmond Sumner
17. Hornets: OG Anunoby
18. Nuggets (via Grizzlies): Lauri Markkanen
19. Hawks: Omer Yurtseven
20. Thunder: Carlton Bragg
21. Pacers: Tyler Lydon
22. Jazz: Rodions Kurucs
23. Pistons: Grayson Allen
24. Blazers: Isaiah Hartenstein
25. Raptors: Jonathan Jeanne
26. Nets (via Celtics): Miles Bridges
27. Raptors (via Clippers): Kostja Mushidi
28. Cavs: Thomas Bryant
29. Spurs: Jaron Blossomgame
30. Jazz (via Warriors): Jalen Brunson

Under the guide of Sean Marks, the Nets had dramatically increased their international scouting staff with their new FO already have ties to some interesting talent in the upcoming draft. Offensive coordinator Chris Flemming has directly coached two of the top international talents in the draft: Isaiah Hartenstein, who has been mentioned as the most skilled German big man since Dirk, and German swingman Kostja Mushidi. The landscape of the draft will undoubtedly transform over the course of the next ten months, but being within theoretical striking distance of the two, especially Hartenstein, is some positive news for now.

[MrDollarBills]

seriously?

this is how we're deluding ourselves now? the 26th pick in the draft is basically a 2nd round level talent

[shakendfries]

seriously?

this is how we're deluding ourselves now? the 26th pick in the draft is basically a 2nd round level talent

"Rudy Gobert? 2nd round level talent", MDB

[MrDollarBills]

Rudy Gobert should have been a top 5 pick in that draft though. How rare is it for elite prospects to fall that far? The Nets more than likely will end up not landing anything remotely that good.

[CalamityX12]

whats a draft pick?

[Paradise]

Rudy Gobert should have been a top 5 pick in that draft though. How rare is it for elite prospects to fall that far? The Nets more than likely will end up not landing anything remotely that good.

It's really not that rare. Some prospects are considered elite prior to the draft and fall out like Skal Lebbessire and then there are the non "elite talents" that turn out to be quite useful or flat out good. People forget Bojan was 30th, Jimmy Butler was 29th but Marshon was expected to go in the teens or twenties. Yes, it's rare to discover elite talent in the second round but at 26? That's still the first round and 26 is a moveable selection.

We're trying to amass talent here towards a better future. I don't see what's wrong with prospecting a selection that is in the late first round in a draft class that is expected to be pretty good. What elite talent did Boston draft again? What elite talent did Atlanta draft again? What Top 5 talent after Tim Duncan did San Antonio draft? Just because you don't have a top 5 pick doesn't warrant the pessimist mindset all of the time. We hired these staffers to rebuild this team with under the radar gems and to make smart, savvy decisions.

[MrDollarBills]

I need to see it happen to believe it.

Caris LeVert being the first one going under the microscope here

[jbeachboy]

way too early for this thread! lets go with sf or pf in this draft though.

[shakendfries]

via UpsideMotor

UpsideMotor 2017 NBA Draft Big Board v1.0

MARKELLE FULTZ
PG, Washington
1
A young, dynamic point guard with excellent size and a top notch feel for the game on the offensive end. For more on Fultz, click here.

HARRY GILES
PF, Duke
2
Long, nimble, and athletic with potential as a scorer and on defense. If he looks healthy after an ACL tear, he should easily be the best big in the class. For more on Giles, click here.

JOSH JACKSON
SG/SF, Kansas
3
An ultra-competitive prospect with the size to play either wing spot and the potential to be a creator on offense. He’s a year older than most of the draft’s other top prospects. For more on Jackson, click here.

FRANK NTILIKINA
PG, Strasbourg
4
A strong pick-and-roll scorer and distributor who has the size to be a terror on defense. Ntilikina will play in France for Strasbourg this year.

JAYSON TATUM
SF, Duke
5
Another lengthy wing prospect with a nice mid-range game and the ability to create offense. How he fits in the Duke offense will be interesting to watch. For more on Tatum, click here.

DENNIS SMITH JR.
PG, North Carolina St.
6
If Smith can overcome an ACL sprain and develop his shooting, he might be the best playmaker in this draft class. For more on Smith, click here.

MARQUES BOLDEN
C, Duke
7
Bolden joins an impressive incoming class at Duke this season where his size could help him develop into a big time defender.

IVAN RABB
PF, California
8
Surprised by staying in school – now the versatile sophomore with strong rebounding instincts gets to be the man for Cal. For more on Rabb, click [urlhttp://upsidemotor.com/2016/04/29/ivan-rabb-jaylen-brown-ncaa-nba-return/]here[/url].

JARRETT ALLEN
C, Texas
9
Allen will fill a front court void in Austin where his mobility could help him excel in Shaka Smart’s up-tempo system.

O.G. ANUNOBY
SF, Indiana
10
A small forward with great size and shooting potential (44.8% from three). Could explode in a bigger role for Indiana this year. For more on Anunoby, click here.

LONZO BALL
PG, UCLA
11
An excellent playmaker on offense from the point guard spot, he’ll need to improve his jumper in order to be a more well-rounded threat.

LAURI MARKKANEN
PF, Arizona
12
Markkanen has a lot of nice offensive tools as a stretch four. He dominated the U20 European Championships and could be a top-10 pick if he shows defensive growth.

EDRICE 'BAM' ADEBAYO
C, Kentucky
13
An energetic big man who can play above the rim on both ends, but is he too much of a tweener to make an impact in the NBA?

DE'AARON FOX
PG, Kentucky
14
A pass-first point guard with great defensive ability. The next in the long line of NBA-caliber Kentucky point guards.

JONATHAN ISAAC
SF/PF, Florida St.
15
A 6-11 combo forward who should get plenty of touches playing for Leonard Hamilton at Florida St. He’ll need to show he can handle the physicality of the college game.

THOMAS BRYANT
C, Indiana
16
Bryant underwhelmed in his first year at Indiana, but his post game and finishing make him an interesting big prospect. For more on Bryant, click here.

TYLER LYDON
PF, Syracuse
17
A shot blocking power forward with three-point range who has flashed some potential attacking off the dribble as well. For more on Lydon, click here.

ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN
PF, Zalgiris
18
The German has all of the skills you want: Finishing, passing, shooting and athleticism. But he needs much more fundamental development to be able to make an impact.

TERRANCE FERGUSON
SG/SF, Adelaide
19
A streaky shooting wing with the length to be a lock down defender along the perimeter.

MALIK MONK
SG, Kentucky
20
A throwback shooting guard who can knock down shots, throw it down in transition and compete defensively. A shorter Demar DeRozan.

JONATHAN JEANNE
C, Le Mans
21
A comically massive young center currently playing in France, he needs to show that he can compete against tougher opponents before he makes the jump to the league.

GRAYSON ALLEN
SG, Duke
22
Primed to have a big year as Duke’s best perimeter scorer. Projects as a nice offensive role player in the NBA. For more on Allen, click here.

EDMOND SUMNER
PG, Xavier
23
A big point guard with excellent speed in transition, but he needs to find an improved outside stroke as a sophomore.
MILES BRIDGES

SF/PF, Michigan St.
24
A powerful, competitive, and athletic small forward. He has size and shooting concerns, but the freshman does all the little things well.

MONTE MORRIS
PG, Iowa St.
25
He’ll face questions about whether or not he can defend at an NBA level, but he’s one of the best true point guards in college hoops.

SVIATOSLAV MYKHAILIUK
SG/SF, Kansas
26
As a junior, this should be the year Svi plays a real role for Kansas. The Ukranian can shoot, handle the ball in transition, and has shown improvement defensively.

OMER YURTSEVEN
C, North Carolina St.
27
A Turkish big man who is forgoing overseas ball to develop his game at the college level in the United States. For more on Yurtseven, click here.

MIKAL BRIDGES
SG, Villanova
28
Another wing with long arms and great defensive potential who will need some time to ripen on the court during his second season with the Wildcats.

JOSH HART
SG, Villanova
29
Hart doesn’t have the physical tools to be a lottery pick, but he’s perhaps the most polished shooting guard in the class.

NIGEL HAYES
PF, Wisconsin
30
He excelled as a role player on a team that made the national title game two seasons ago, but it’s not clear he’s ready to handle the bulk of the scoring load.

JUSTIN JACKSON
SF, North Carolina
31
Shooting’s an issue, but Jackson is a decent scorer and passer from the wing. He’s another probable 2nd round option.

JARON BLOSSOMGAME
SF, Clemson
32
He’ll be one of the oldest players draft next June, but he can get plenty of buckets from the wing.

BLAZ MESICEK
SG, Olimpija Ljubljana
33
An interesting wing prospect who can get to the rim and plays well in transition. Needs to tighten his handle and develop consistency as a shooter.

DILLON BROOKS
SF, Oregon
34
A well-rounded wing with nice length and good defensive skills, but he needs an outside shot to make it in the NBA.

ALEC PETERS
SF/PF, Valparaiso
35
An interesting stretch four candidate due to his shooting and decision-making. But he might be a tweener who isn’t big enough to handle playing the four full-time.

DWAYNE BACON
SG/SF, Florida St.
36
Many expected him to come out last season because of his age. He’s a wrecking ball who can bully his way into the lane against almost any opponent.

JESSIE GOVAN
C, Georgetown
37
A big primed for a potential breakout, Govan is a solid rebounder and finisher who’s flashed shooting potential.

ALLONZO TRIER
SG, Arizona
38
Delivered a solid, but not spectacular season for the Wildcats last year and will be looking to breakout as a sophomore in Tucson.

DEVIN ROBINSON
SF, Florida
39
A versatile defensive prospect who has shown some outside shooting development. He’s a little thin though, and doesn’t have very high upside.

RODIONS KURUCS
SF, Barcelona
40
A Latvian forward who produced well in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. He’s a relative unknown due to lack of high-level competition.

[Mosdefinition]

No way the Celtics are that good

[shakendfries]

No way the Celtics are that good

Who do you have being better than the Celtics? After GSW, CLE, LA, & SA not much other surefire elite teams

[Mosdefinition]

No way the Celtics are that good

Who do you have being better than the Celtics? After GSW, CLE, LA, & SA not much other surefire elite teams

The Celtics are a team full of over achieving role players who will likely take a step or 2 backwards

Ainge knows this which is why he keeps trying tho trade the nets picks for nba players

Al horford really isn't that much of a difference maker

I think max they are a middle of the road team

I'd take cle tor atl det chi indy and the nyk over them in the east

They are most likely a 6 7 8 seed

They whole being greater than the sum of your parts only works for a short time

[Chris4Vikes]

No way the Celtics are that good

Who do you have being better than the Celtics? After GSW, CLE, LA, & SA not much other surefire elite teams

The Celtics are a team full of over achieving role players who will likely take a step or 2 backwards

Ainge knows this which is why he keeps trying tho trade the nets picks for nba players

Al horford really isn't that much of a difference maker

I think max they are a middle of the road team

I'd take cle tor atl det chi indy and the nyk over them in the east

They are most likely a 6 7 8 seed

They whole being greater than the sum of your parts only works for a short time

Oh boy I wish we could make a sizable bet on this. I could not disagree more.

[Chuck-Cheese]

Who do you have being better than the Celtics? After GSW, CLE, LA, & SA not much other surefire elite teams

The Celtics are a team full of over achieving role players who will likely take a step or 2 backwards

Ainge knows this which is why he keeps trying tho trade the nets picks for nba players

Al horford really isn't that much of a difference maker

I think max they are a middle of the road team

I'd take cle tor atl det chi indy and the nyk over them in the east

They are most likely a 6 7 8 seed

They whole being greater than the sum of your parts only works for a short time

Oh boy I wish we could make a sizable bet on this. I could not disagree more.

I want to get in on that bet as well. I think you are really undervaluing the celts.

[MrDollarBills]

Top 4 teams in the east are Cavs, Raptors, Pacers, and Celtics. Chris4Vikes usually comes here to make troll posts, but he is 100% correct here. Celtics have two all star level players in Thomas and Horford and some good roleplayers.

[shakendfries]

The Hornets were on to something last season -in spite of their roster changes, top 10 offense and defense can't be ignored. MKG's health is paramount. Their success is likely determined by whether their perimeter defense can compensate for a weak frontcourt.
The Pistons are formidable.
The Knicks could also become a powerhouse if Hornacek can get Porzingis performing like Morris did in Phoenix. A strong season from Porzingis could launch them into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.

Then there's the middle, which is crowded with teams like Atlanta, Chicago, Milwaukee, & Washington. A good season could thrust the Nets into this group as well.

[MrDollarBills]

The Hornets were on to something last season -in spite of their roster changes, top 10 offense and defense can't be ignored. MKG's health is paramount. Their success is likely determined by whether their perimeter defense can compensate for a weak frontcourt.
The Pistons are formidable.
The Knicks could also become a powerhouse if Hornacek can get Porzingis performing like Morris did in Phoenix. A strong season from Porzingis could launch them into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.

Then there's the middle, which is crowded with teams like Atlanta, Chicago, Milwaukee, & Washington. A good season could thrust the Nets into this group as well.

Can't see it.

Cavs
Raptors
Pacers
Celtics
Hawks
Pistons

^playoff locks.

Hornets
Bulls
Knicks
Bucks
Wizards

^in the hunt

Heat
Magic
Sixers
Nets

[Roy Tarpley]

Who do you have being better than the Celtics? After GSW, CLE, LA, & SA not much other surefire elite teams

The Celtics are a team full of over achieving role players who will likely take a step or 2 backwards

Ainge knows this which is why he keeps trying tho trade the nets picks for nba players

Al horford really isn't that much of a difference maker

I think max they are a middle of the road team

I'd take cle tor atl det chi indy and the nyk over them in the east

They are most likely a 6 7 8 seed

They whole being greater than the sum of your parts only works for a short time

Oh boy I wish we could make a sizable bet on this. I could not disagree more.

I looked at the Celtics roster last year, with Jerebko, Smart, Johnson, Smart, Crowder, Sullinger and I did not see a 48 win team. But Stevens churned out some magic. There's no reason that Celtics can't produce at least 48 wins again, as long as Stevens is still there.

[ChokeFasncists]

I think ABrad is one of the best two ways players in the league, almost a mini Kawai.

The Heat would depend on whether Bosh can be cleared to play. If Whiteside grows even more, they aren't bad.

Unless D12 is washed up, the Hawks are contenders in the East

[shakendfries]

I don't mean to throw salt on the wound by posting this, but it must be noted that this class has some interesting PG talent

The 2017 NBA Draft’s Own Ridiculous Six - The draft hasn’t been this loaded with point guards since 2009. Considering the NBA’s economics, that could create new championship windows.

One effect of the NBA salary cap is that every team tries to exploit the low cost of rookie-scale contracts. Many young players wash out, but inexpensive contributors open cap space that teams can distribute elsewhere. The Warriors’ title squad had three rotation players still on rookie-scale contracts (Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Festus Ezeli), which helped them retain costly key pieces like Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut. The Cavs were able to clear enough cap space to bring LeBron James back in 2014 partially because they didn’t have to worry about their other star; Kyrie Irving had just finished the third year on his rookie deal. Dwyane Wade was on just the third year of his rookie contract when he won his first title in 2006.

The stacked 2017 draft class will inject new, cheap talent into the league. (Assuming the cost for rookies stays low; the new collective bargaining agreement could increase rookie-scale salaries. But one league executive told me that it’s unlikely rookie deals will take high priority in labor discussions.) The crop of point guards is especially loaded, with six first-year-draft-eligible prospects worthy of lottery consideration. They each come with a different configuration of skills. The order in which they’re drafted may come down to team philosophy and fit; the talent gaps among the six aren’t significant.

The influx of distributors is notable considering one understated reality of the market: the cost of starting point guards. The league’s last 25 champions had starting point guards with an average salary accounting for only 11.3 percent of that year’s cap. That’s the equivalent of $10.6 million (or, nearly, Austin Rivers’s 2016–17 salary) under this season’s enormous $94.1 million salary cap. Only two of the championship point guards have accounted for slightly over 20 percent of a cap (Tony Parker in 2014 and Irving in 2016), and only Parker was the highest-paid player on his team. Instead of splurging on star free-agent point guards, general managers of Finals winners have typically leaned on young 1s (Rajon Rondo, B.J. Armstrong, early-’00s Parker) or PGs on inexpensive deals (Derek Fisher, Mario Chalmers, Avery Johnson), paying the spared funds to stars at different positions and key role players.

This doesn’t mean teams are necessarily making a mistake by handing out max contracts to deserving elite point guards; the league’s immense talent at the position only raises its importance. But the talent overflow means it’s not hard to find a good PG. When Doc Rivers admits that having three max players on the payroll makes it hard to find complementary pieces, and when history suggests that a max-level point guard isn’t necessary for a title, you can’t help but wonder whether the Clippers would’ve been better off the past three years with a cheaper point guard and a chunk of cap space to use on role players, instead of Chris Paul at 30 percent of the cap. The Grizzlies could encounter the same issue after signing Mike Conley to a $30.5 million annual cap number, which could prohibit them from adding integral pieces at other positions.

The league is about to receive its biggest point-guard talent infusion since 2009, and that influx will force teams to deal with the convergence of two market realities (the low cost of rookies, and the historical going rate of championship point guards) this season. A team’s championship window could be cracked open just because of the ripple effect of landing a top-flight point guard in the 2017 draft. By filling a position that doesn’t require a high-cost player, teams that become free-agent destinations can spend on other areas of need, like shooting, rim protection, and defensive versatility — skills that are in high demand, but are generally fulfilled by positional groups that don’t have the same talent supply.

The Pelicans, for example, need to start making the right moves quickly before Anthony Davis hits free agency in 2020. Jrue Holiday is a robust pick-and-roll playmaker who has shown good chemistry with Davis. But the Pelicans should pause before overspending on their non-elite point guard when he’s a free agent in 2017, just as teams in similar situations — such as the Hawks (Dennis Schröder) and Pacers (Jeff Teague) — should think twice when it comes time to re-sign their incumbent playmakers; the alternative of drafting a higher-upside point guard and spending elsewhere could lead to a brighter future.


Markelle Fultz, Washington
At 6-foot-4, Fultz is a big combo guard who has a long wingspan and a skill set accentuated by feel and fluidity. Versatility reigns supreme in the league, and Fultz has the mold to defend multiple positions. His foot speed, length, and frame all project favorably for him on defense. On the other end, Fultz shows an advanced grasp of the game, and can morph into a number of roles. He’s a force in transition, plays at his own tempo in the pick-and-roll, and has the shake to create space one-on-one. He also has excellent touch near the rim that could eventually translate outside as he develops his shot. If the draft were held today, Fultz would be the top prospect on my board. We published an in-depth breakdown of him last week that you can find below.

Dennis Smith Jr., NC State
There are some point guards who come along and you just know they’ll be good. Think Derrick Rose or John Wall. Smith falls right into that category. He isn’t quite as long as Rose or Wall, though, which puts him in the Steve Francis stratosphere (without the character concerns that plagued Francis). Smith boasts a blazing first step to zoom by defenders, and the explosiveness to put shot blockers on posters.

Watch on YouTube

The best shooters repeat the same motion every time they shoot, but Smith has some inconsistencies with his mechanics that hurt his percentages. Like Rose and Wall when they were coming out of school, Smith needs to make strides as a shooter, but he’s already made progress and has natural touch. Once he irons out any existing issues, he could be awfully dangerous as a scorer in all situations.

Smith is a score-first guard, but he also shows an understanding of how to play with pace by changing speeds and utilizing advanced dribble moves. This manifests for him as a passer, since he can patiently run the pick-and-roll while looking for his teammates. If it weren’t for a torn left ACL that ended his senior season, Smith would be the most intoxicating prospect in this year’s class. Fortunately, he says he’s “110 percent” healthy and looks ready to lead NC State.

Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg
Ntilikina is like the international version of Fultz. The native of France has a similar physical profile, good size (6-foot-5), and a long wingspan. He possesses less power as a leaper and isn’t quite as fast, which knocks him down a notch as a prospect. Still, Ntilikina’s excellent passing vision and natural pick-and-roll instincts make him a more appealing pure point prospect.

Watch on YouTube

Ntilikina also has an edge on the defensive end. He combines Fultz’s size and versatility with Smith’s energy, making a potential lockdown defender. He weighed in at just 170 pounds earlier this year, though, so he’s years away from handling a full workload in the pros.

Lonzo Ball, UCLA
What Ball lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in feel. When he attacks, he uses crafty hesitation moves to weasel his way to the rim. At just 18, Ball has the passing vision you’d expect from an NBA veteran. He’s also as unselfish as a player can be: In the 2016 McDonald’s All American Game he had 13 assists without scoring a single point. Ball can hit every pass in the book with accuracy off the dribble, and projects as a young player whom teams can rely on early in his career. His size, at 6-foot-6, only enhances his ability, since he can make plays over the top of screens that smaller guards can’t.

The league’s best guards are usually capable of getting a bucket late in the clock by pulling up or attacking the rim. Ball could have issues with both in the half court. He doesn’t have a great burst and isn’t very explosive inside. His thin frame only aggravates those flaws. Point guards like Stephen Curry and Steve Nash have found success despite these natural athletic limitations, but they’ve made up for it by developing finishing moves at the rim that’d make a magician look twice. Ball isn’t at that stage yet.

Gfycat Video - Click to Play

As a shooter, Ball has one of the strangest releases you’ll ever see. He gathers his shot on the left side of his body and winds it back to the right. The sidespin of the ball is reminiscent of a Joakim Noah or Shawn Marion, and that’s not a good thing. Marion might’ve been a career 33.1 percent from 3, but as a point guard Ball will have the ball in his hands a lot, and it won’t be easy shooting off the bounce (or the catch) when it’s so easy for defenders to contest the shot. Ball does have soft touch, though, so if a coach revises his mechanics, he could theoretically develop into a plus shooter.

Malik Monk, Kentucky
De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky

Watch on YouTube

Fox and Monk will share backcourt duties at Kentucky, with Fox stepping into Tyler Ulis’s pure point role and Monk filling in for Jamal Murray. Monk will play more off-ball in college, but at only 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-6 wingspan, he’s an undersized 2-guard who projects as more of a score-first combo guard in the NBA. Gravity doesn’t exist for Monk; he’ll be one of the best athletes in the draft. But he’ll project as a less-talented but more-athletically-gifted version of Monta Ellis if he can’t become a more consistent perimeter shooter.

Watch on YouTube

Fox is also small, with a frail 6-foot-4 frame, but he’s a headache-inducer on defense. Swiper the Fox forces turnovers by moving his feet intelligently and swiping at the ball with his lightning-quick hands. Offensively, Fox doesn’t stand out as a scorer, but he’s an unselfish distributor who can manufacture open looks for his teammates. If Fox makes strides creating for himself on offense, he’ll help his cause on draft night, but presently he is below most other guard prospects in this loaded class. Still, players with Fox’s defensive ability tend to stick in the NBA, even if they lack star scoring upside.