2015 Draft Review: Brooklyn Nets

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Deron Williams/Jarrett Jack/Steve Blake/Shane Larkin

SG: Joe Johnson/Markel Brown

SF: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson/Bojan Bogdanovic/Sergey Karasev/Earl Clark

PF: Thaddeus Young/Thomas Robinson/Chris McCullough

C: Brook Lopez/Cory Jefferson

2015 Free Agents

C Jerome Jordan (RFA)

PF Mirza Teletovic (RFA)

SG Alan Anderson (player option)

What They Did On Draft Night

Traded Mason Plumlee and the 41st pick to Portland for Steve Blake and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
The Nets began their offseason by clearing up their awkward frontcourt, where Mason Plumlee was probably too good to be a backup but couldn't play alongside Brook Lopez. Not long ago, Plumlee was basically untouchable in Brooklyn's eyes, but his value fell both due to a dip in play and a lack longterm role on the team. Despite being a twenty-third pick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a really good chance of sticking in the league because he is such am excellent perimeter defender and does so many things well offensively, even if he can't shoot with range. Hollis-Jefferson landed in a perfect spot because Nets coach Lionel Hollins, who coached Tony Allen in Memphis to three All-Defense teams, has experience using great defensive players with limited range. Plus, Hollis-Jefferson is easier to hide offensively than Allen because he can play power forward. Assuming the Nets don't sign another wing, Brooklyn will have a promising young pair of wings that compliment each other well: Hollis-Jefferson and the more offensively-minded Bojan Bogdanovic.

Drafted Syracuse power forward Chris McCullough 29th overall
The Nets, who are picking 29th because Atlanta had the right to swap picks via the Joe Johnson trade, got a lottery talent in Chris McCullough, but also a project coming off an ACL tear. It's not hard to see how McCullough fits in the modern NBA: he's mobile, excellent blocking shots, with an intriguing offensive game. Provided his knee is 100%, McCullough's first job is improving his 199 pound frame (which will be easier when not rehabbing) so he has the strength to be a good on-ball defender to go with help defense. McCullough's best consistent offensive skill is smooth, slippery athletic ability diving to the basket in pick-and-roll but his jumpshot looks very good, it just needs become more consistent. I am surprised the Nets gave McCullough a guaranteed contract via the first round pick because of his knee injury, but if he pans out Brooklyn will have a valuable rotation piece that compliments their current frontcourt well because he can space the floor.

Drafted Argentinian wing Juan Pablo Vaulet 39th overall

A super draft sleeper, Juan Vaulet wasn't on many radars when he elected to remain in the draft, but a closer look at the 19 year-old revealed an athletic, physically gifted wing. Vaulet is most likely a stash, but with a potential shot at making the NBA because he has an NBA frame, long arms, and above-average athletic ability. Vaulet attacks with an excellent first step, and though he is still learning what to do when he beats his man, has shown playmaker potential. Vaulet's next step is improving his jumpshot, tightening his handle, and gaining strength. It might not be for another couple years, but Vaulet could definitely make the NBA.

A bonus trade sure to never happen

Joe Johnson to Chicago for Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, and Kirk Hinrich

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2015 Draft Preview: Brooklyn Nets

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Deron Williams/Jarrett Jack/Darius Morris

SG: Joe Johnson/Markel Brown

SF: Bojan Bogdanovic/Sergey Karasev/Earl Clark

PF: Cory Jefferson

C: Mason Plumlee

2015 Free Agents

C Jerome Jordan (RFA)

PF Mirza Teletovic (RFA)

SG Alan Anderson (player option)

C Brook Lopez (player option)

F Thaddeus Young (early termination clause)

2015 Draft Picks

1-29

2-11(41)

Team Needs

What the Nets need most is a clean slate and a fresh start, which unfortunately are not available in the draft this year. This summer Brooklyn has a lot of decisions to make on essentially their entire frontcourt; besides Thad Young could elect free agency, Brooklyn will have to decide if they are going to re-sign Brook Lopez, Mirza Teletovic, and Jerome Jordan while also reportedly shopping Mason Plumlee. Basically, Brooklyn's big man rotation might look very different next season. Elsewhere, aside from Joe Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Nets lack much in the way of proven wing players and could use another, more athletic player to compliment Bogdanovic.

Potential Fits

There are several big men that could be available near the bottom of the first round that could turn out as solid depth options for Brooklyn. LSU big men Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are projected in this range and offer differing skillset. Mickey is an excellent defender and rebounder, but somewhat limited offensively, while Martin has a better feel offensively, though he lacks any carrying NBA skill. Syracuse's Rakeem Christmas is similar to Mickey, just a little bit bigger and a couple years older. His teammate for the Orange, Chris McCullough is more of a project as he recovers from a knee injury and develops his body, but also has a lot more upside than Mickey, Martin, or Christmas because of his jumpshot. Another player with a little more upside, mostly due to his age, is Kansas' Cliff Alexander. Alexander has an NBA body and should be a good defender but is a little bit behind as an offensive player.

Mock Draft
29. Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU
41. Olivier Hanlan, G, Boston College

2015 Draft Preview: Dallas Mavericks

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Devin Harris

SG: ???

SF: Chandler Parsons

PF: Dirk Nowitzki/Dwight Powell

C: ???

2015 Free Agents

C Bernard James (RFA)

F Al-Farouq Aminu (player option)

G J.J. Barea 

C Tyson Chandler

G Monta Ellis (player option)

PG Raymond Felton (player option)

SF Richard Jefferson

PG Rajon Rondo

C Greg Smith

PF Amar'e Stoudemire

F Charlie Villanueva

2015 Draft Picks

1-21

2-22(52)

Team Needs

With eleven free agents, many who will not return, the Mavericks are once again in position to remake their roster this offseason, leaving their team needs up in the air. The Mavericks typically don't play rookies much, but this season they might have to. Even if they don't, it would make sense to target someone they think can be worth more than where they are drafted and develop them for a year or two to be part of the Mavericks post-Dirk rebuild. Point guard is a clear spot that could be upgraded, though Rick Carlisle has been hard on point guards of the past, finding a young, smart lead guard to be molded and learn the system while a stop-gap veteran fills in for a year or two. 

Potential Fits

The point guard that seemed to "get" playing for Carlise, was Jameer Nelson and there are two point guards in this draft that are similar to Nelson in that they don't overwhelm with athletic ability but are heady players with good understanding the nuances of the game. Duke's Tyus Jones and Murray State's Cameron Payne could both be starting quality players if given a year to absorb what Dallas wants to do. Both can make outside shots and would be excellent running the Maverick pick-and-roll/pop offense. If neither are available or if Dallas doesn't want to develop a young point gaurd, then the frontcourt should be their next area of concern. UNLV Christian Wood, Kentucky's Trey Lyles, UCLA's Kevon Looney, and Chris McCullough of Syracuse all have potential to eventually replace at least a tiny part of what Dirk's shooting gives their offense. In the second round, a shooter would be nice for depth as would a solid, reliable fifth big man type. Due to the fact that Dallas currently doesn't have an shooting guards on their roster, R.J. Hunter of Georgia State should be in consideration. His ability to shoot should make him useful off of the bench.

Mock Draft

21. Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State

52. Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky

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