The Nets are the only team in the league entering the draft without a single pick. But that doesn’t guarantee they won’t add any.
With the first round Wednesday at Barclays Center and the second round a day later in Manhattan, general manager Sean Marks — who has a history of being active during or just before the draft — is ready to trade a pick.
But it’s more about finding the right prospect than just adding a random pick.
“We look at the draft the same way every year: We take the best available,” Marks said after Brooklyn’s season ended. “If there’s someone in there who, wow, they’re slipping, can we get in there at that time? It would be important for us to say, “Hey, we have the 20th pick, we have the 44th pick. » This is of no use to us.
“It’s for us this year, it’s going to be more strategic. It’s a question of knowing: “Is the player available for this choice?” How can we get in there? So these conversations (have taken place) and they will continue until the appointed time.
The Nets tried to secure a pick in the draft, and SNY indicated they were optimistic they could do so. Marks hasn’t ruled out betting on a first-round pick.
“No, I wouldn’t rule out acquiring anything,” Marks said. “If there’s a guy you like, you have to have the conviction to pursue him.”
There are a number of teams potentially open to trading early rounds, Yahoo! citing the Suns (No. 22), Knicks (24 and 25), Timberwolves (27), Jazz (29) and Celtics (30).
The Knicks, Rockets and Jazz have all reached out to check on Mikal Bridges’ availability, but sources have consistently told the Post that Brooklyn has no plans to move the small forward.
Sources added that – contrary to reports – the Nets have not had any discussions with Charlotte about trading Ben Simmons.
But Day’Ron Sharpe has drawn interest from Memphis for a reserve wing and a second-round pick, according to Hardwood Paroxysm and Action Network.
The Nets have primarily targeted prospects in the second round and on the younger side.
The highest rated prospect for them is French 3 and D winger Pacôme Dadiet.
Still 18, his size, shooting and age could see him slip to the bottom of the first round.
Marks has often been busy on draft nights.
The morning of the 2016 draft, he sent Thad Young to Indiana for the pick that became Caris LeVert.
The next draft morning, he sent Brook Lopez and a first-round pick to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell (and Timofey Mozgov).
Brooklyn dealt Landry Shamet to the Suns on draft night in 2021 for the pick that became Cam Thomas.
There are many others.
But even if the Nets don’t enter this draft, they have two two-way contracts open (Jaylen Martin, 20, signed a two-year contract last season).
And among their three rookies last season, Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead were both among the four youngest players in the league and are still less than 10th-ranked players projected in a recent ESPN mock draft.
Clowney came into play in the final six games of last season, averaging 13.5 points, seven rebounds, 2.2 blocks and shooting 8 of 17 from deep. He had seven blocks in an April 10 win over Toronto.
Whitehead played just 24 minutes in two games before season-ending leg surgery, but he is healthy.
“Dariq should play in the (Las Vegas) Summer League. … Whether or not he plays the entire summer league or not, that will be to be determined,” Marks said. “But he’s in the gym every day…so hopefully he prepares and is tough enough to play in the summer league.”
New York Post
