At one point this season, the Brooklyn Nets were not thinking about their future because they had franchise cornerstones Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to guide them to a possible championship. However, once the NBA trade deadline came, Brooklyn’s mission changed to something in-between winning a championship and rebuilding.
Once Durant and Irving were traded away for players like Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Nets now have some players that can help them win now, but aren’t in a position to win a title. However, they also have some draft capital that they can use to either add more promising young players to the organization or go after a star or two.
With this regular season nearing its end, it could be interesting to see what Brooklyn could do after this season is over. Here’s who Bleacher Report sees the Nets drafting in the 2023 NBA Draft:
21st pick – Forward GG Jackson
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Gregory “GG” Jackson II is averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 38.% from the field and 32.4% from three-point land as a freshman for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team and was ninth in the SEC in points per game. Here’s what Bleacher Report has to say about him:
“Jackson’s age (18) and highlight package of ball-handling and creation, three-point shooting and shot-making versatility hint at the type of scoring potential certain teams will be willing to wait for. The inefficiency, turnovers, lack of passing and limited defense also make Jackson vulnerable if mid-first-round teams want quicker results.”
23rd pick – Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino
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Indiana Hoosiers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 42.2% from the field and 34.7% from three-point land as a freshman. The 6’6″, 213 LB Hood-Schifino was named the 2022-2023 Big Ten Rookie of the Year and the All-Big Ten team. Here’s what B/R had to say about him:
“Hood-Schifino entered the first-round discussion with scoring outbursts, transferable off-the-dribble shooting, acrobatic finishes and command in pick-and-roll situations. The athletic limitations, assist-to-turnover ratio and lack of three-point attempts are what could keep teams from reaching too high.”
53rd pick – Forward Mohamed Gueye
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Washington State Cougars forward Mouhamed Gueye is averaging 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8% from the field and 27.5% from behind the three-point line. The 6’11”, 210 LB sophomore was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman and was more recently named to the 2022-2023 All-Pac-12 team. Here’s what B/R had to say about him:
“Gueye’s year will end in the NIT tournament after a season showing enough face-up scoring and mid-range flashes to warrant an NBA combine invitation.”
Story originally appeared on Nets Wire