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We glance again, again, again, at 21 years of Nets Draft historical past. It’s an annual train and numerous it’s painful, if edifying. After all, the final 5 years have much more nice than the years earlier than. One factor that hasn’t modified. There shall be surprises Thursday evening. That’s what makes it a lot enjoyable. As of Tuesday, the Nets have 4 picks at Nos. 27, 44, 49 and 59. May that change? DUH!
So, earlier than you agree in to observe this 12 months’s proceedings, again at Barclays Middle, kindly evaluate one of the best and the worst of Nets Draft Nights going again to the one when the Nets picked Kenyon Martin (Senior). It’s been that lengthy. Get pleasure from … or perhaps not.
2020
The Nets went into the Draft with two picks, Philly’s first rounder at No. 19 and the Nuggets second rounder at No. 55, the Nuggets second. However the Nets knew they’d have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and an opportunity at an NBA title. So fairly than hold the nineteenth decide, they went looking for fast assist, a defensive stopper, a shooter to again up Joe Harris. It was additionally an opportunity to do some housekeeping.
So, two days earlier than the Draft, the Nets agreed to a deal that may deliver Brooklyn Bruce Brown, a 6’4” guard who had a repute for stable protection within the Motor Metropolis. He was out there as a result of the Pistons couldn’t actually determine how one can use him on offense. He hadn’t labored out on the level and wasn’t a adequate shooter from deep.
As initially constructed, the Nets despatched Dzanan Musa, their younger swingman and the Raptors 2021 second rounder, acquired in a 2019 wage dump. The Nets additionally agreed to ship money concerns, reportedly $1.2 million, to the Pistons. Whole lot.
Then, in some unspecified time in the future over the subsequent two days, the deal acquired expanded, huge time. On Draft Evening, the Clippers joined within the deal. Mainly, issues went like this: the Clippers acquired Luke Kennard and Justin Patton from the Pistons. The Pistons acquired Rodney McGruder and 4 second rounders from the Clippers. The Pistons acquired the nineteenth decide, Saddiq Bey, and the draft rights to Jaylen Arms from the Nets. Together with Brown, Brooklyn acquired Landry Shamet from the Clippers plus a swap of picks deep within the second spherical that produced Reggie Perry. On this iteration, the money concerns went from the Clippers to the Pistons.
When the tip of the second spherical of the Draft rolled round, the Nets went with Perry who that they had a lot greater — like within the first spherical — than most groups. Publish-draft, Jonathan Givony of ESPN mentioned that certainly Perry had mid first spherical expertise, however there have been questions on his angle.
Paul Eboua, who the Nets additionally appreciated within the second, wound up going undrafted, however they saved after the 6’8” Cameroonian-Italian. Miami finally signed him however after they determined to chop him on the finish of Warmth coaching camp, the Nets claimed him off waived. He performed in Lengthy Island.
2019
On June 1, three weeks earlier than the Draft, the Nets had three picks out of the primary 31: their very own at No. 17, the Nuggets at No. 27 and the Knicks at No. 31. By the point, Sean Marks and his troops went residence on Draft Evening, that they had two: the thirty first nd 56th. So what occurred?
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is what occurred. The Nets, believing strongly in early June that that they had a shot on the two superstars, began bailing on cap house. On June 6, they dumped Allen Crabbe’s contract for Taurean Prince and two of their very own firsts, the unprotected 2019 first and a lottery protected first in 2020. (Additionally they acquired a Hawks second rounder in 2021). The transfer supplied the Nets with added cap house at no cost company as Prince made $15 million lower than Crabbe’s $18.5 million in 2019-20. As well as, by buying and selling the seventeenth decide, the Nets saved one other $2.9 million in rookie wage scale cash. The Hawks took Nickeil Alexander-Walker, then dealt him to the Pelicans.
Then, on Draft Evening, they made one other cap-clearing transfer. They traded the twenty seventh decide, acquired in a earlier wage dump with the Nuggets, to the Clippers in return for Philly’s first in 2020 and the Clippers 56th decide within the 2019 Draft. Multiple draftnik was shocked the Nets had been in a position to get a future first and a second in that deal when everybody knew they had been trying to remove wage. That transfer saved them one other $1.97 million in cap house and let the league know they had been severe about KD and Kyrie. The Clippers used the decide on Mfiondu Kabengele
When the time got here to make use of the Knicks decide at 31, they centered on Nicolas Claxton who of their inner mock was a mid-20’s choice. Marks had fielded various requires the decide, however Brooklyn appreciated Claxton. Then at 56, the Nets had been taking a look at three gamers, however just one, Jaylen Arms, agreed to be stashed.
By the tip of the evening, the Nets had been very near the $70 million they would want for KD and Kyrie. In the meantime, neither Alexander-Walker nor Kabengele set the world on fireplace. Between the 2 of them, they didn’t common 10 factors a sport.
2018
Everybody says it —these had been the fellows we REALLY needed— however Nets insiders insist that Dzanan Musa and Rodions Kurucs had been the fellows they needed as they sat down at HSS Coaching Middle earlier than the Draft started. Certainly, the Nets had each excessive on their mock drafts, believing that Musa was price a lottery decide.
In two interviews with an Alabama radio station in April and Could, Nets then director of gamers personnel aka chief scout, Gregg Polinsky laid out the Nets scouting course of, beginning with a database of 600 gamers initially of the season, whittling the quantity all the way down to a handful for Draft Evening. Looking back, Polinsky might have even hinted on the Nets curiosity in Dzanan Musa and Rodions Kurucs.
“I can’t go into names, however I can discuss in regards to the expertise there’s in Europe,” he informed the Tide 102.9 in Tuscaloosa. “In my very own opinion … I feel there’s two lottery picks there, presumably three, a man who shall be taken within the first two or three or 4 gamers within the draft (little question referring to Luka Doncic) and one other child there,” his voice trailing off as if he realized he may need mentioned an excessive amount of.
Because the Draft dragged on, the Nets even thought of transferring as much as take Musa, however they didn’t have to. He was there at No. 29. Though they didn’t have Kurucs within the lottery on their inner mock, that they had him within the first spherical. So as soon as Musa was secured at No. 29, they waited anxiously to see if Kurucs would final till No. 40 … and he did.
The Nets additionally had Theo Pinson on their mock drafts, someplace after Kurucs. Just like the others, they had been excessive on Pinson, greater than most. Per week earlier than the Draft, Brooklyn referred to as Pinson to say, should you’re not drafted, we’re nonetheless taken with you. Then, even earlier than the second spherical was over, they referred to as once more and acquired a dedication from Pinson to hitch the Nets summer time league crew. Pinson after all was later signed to a two-day deal, then at season’s finish was introduced as much as Brooklyn.
(The Nets had appreciated Hamidou Diallo at No. 45 as nicely, however his rights had been traded to Charlotte within the Dwight Howard deal. The Hornets moved him later that evening to OKC. Unhealthy transfer for Charlotte.)
2017
The weekend earlier than the Draft, the Nets thought their “transfomative” commerce with the Lakers was both lifeless or moribund. The deal proposed by the Nets was practically the identical as its ultimate kind, aside from the inclusion of the Nets twenty seventh decide, which that they had acquired as the opposite aspect of the swap with Boston, a part of the notorious 2013 commerce. Brooklyn would obtain D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov and would ship Brook Lopez to L.A. The Nets didn’t wish to give that up that twenty seventh decide. Within the meantime, the Nets started to discover different offers.
By Tuesday, Woj reported, the Nets and Hawks had been “deep in negotiations” that may have introduced Dwight Howard to Brooklyn with Brook Lopez, who had yet another 12 months on his deal than Howard, and nearly definitely a draft decide going the opposite approach. However late Tuesday afternoon, the Nets relented and agreed to relinquish the twenty seventh decide (which two days later turned Kyle Kuzma). Finished deal. The Nets took Jarrett Allen and pronounced themselves pleased. Allen, together with his athletic presents, was on the high of the Nets record of prospects, however he dropped and dropped as rumors that he didn’t love the sport proliferated. Nets knew in any other case. Nonetheless, the Nets had their eye on two different bigs that evening, D.J. Wilson of Michigan, and Harry Giles of Duke, a robust bodily specimen, however typically troubled by accidents.
2016
Woe is us. The Nets entered the 2016 NBA Draft with one decide, the fifty fifth. Not solely had they misplaced their first spherical decide to Boston within the 2013 Draft Evening commerce of dying (see under should you dare), they needed to swap their second rounder with the Clippers, the fee L.A. demanded for Reggie Evans 4 years earlier. Nets followers had been wanting ahead (?) to a dreary night, however as new GM Sean Marks mentioned all the pieces adjustments on Draft Evening… and it did. After Kenny Atkinson had referred to as Thaddeus Younger “my man” at his introductory press convention a month earlier, and Younger mentioned he was already texting potential free brokers, Younger gave the impression to be off-limits. Not so.
On the morning of the Draft, Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets and Pacers had been in talks to swap Younger for the twentieth decide, which led to a day-long hypothesis as to who the Nets would take. Nobody thought the decide could be Caris LeVert. NO one! Then shock and largely disappointment. LeVert wasn’t on any draftnik’s mock draft as a primary rounder. The best anybody had him was No. 38. Three foot surgical procedures will do this to you. However Marks had spoken on a couple of event with the Nets foot/ankle specialist, Dr. Martin O’Malley. O’Malley was trusted by the Nets and he had reconstructed LeVert’s foot. That was sufficient. The Nets had him at No. 11 on their mock, the one mock that mattered.
There was one thing else. Marks had been the closely engaged in making ready the Spurs’ mock draft. San Antonio had the twenty ninth decide and LeVert was on the Spurs’ brief record. So to make sure that the Nets didn’t lose out, Marks traded for a decide 9 locations forward of his previous crew. San Antonio took Dejounte Murray. Then, it was on to the second spherical and the Nets pulled off one other shock. They despatched $3 million in Mikhail Prokhorov’s money and the fifty fifth decide to Utah so they may transfer as much as No. 42 and take Isaiah Whitehead, who most draftniks thought wouldn’t go till the fifties. However once more, to the Nets, Whitehead was a primary spherical expertise. They’d him at No. 18 on the interior mock and gave him first spherical cash. Better part: LeVert had penned a observe to GM’s on Gamers Tribune the day earlier than the draft, saying “I’m nearly there. What I can’t wait to indicate the world after I make my NBA debut is a participant who can deal with, shoot, go exhausting to the ring, and defend.” And naturally, he did. So did Whitehead. Each completed within the high 10 of the 2016 draft class in scoring. (The Nets additionally signed one other high 10 scorer in Yogi Ferrell, however you already know that story.)
2015
A catastrophe. Billy King’s final draft at GM. The Nets went into the Draft with a primary spherical decide, at No. 29, the results of a secret swap with the Hawks who acquired the No. 15. Within the second spherical, that they had one decide, at No. 41. There have been rumors, roundly denied by the entrance workplace, that he Nets had been additionally procuring Bojan Bogdanovic. Nothing occurred. The No. 29 decide, it had appeared for weeks, was destined for Chris McCullough, the 6’10” Syracuse ahead with, it was mentioned, lottery-level expertise however a foul knee. He additionally had a foul angle. At one level, all 5 huge mock drafts had the Bronx native turning into the Nets first New York Metropolis child. There was a motive. It turned out that McCullough had what was described as a “mushy promise” for months. Barring the unexpected, if he was there, on the subsequent to final decide within the first spherical, Brooklyn had agreed to take him. The Nets had met with him, scoured the tapes and scouted him earlier than his January knee damage and in highschool all-star video games. They appreciated him. However additionally they needed to maneuver up that evening and take … a degree guard. The Nets realllly appreciated Cameron Payne and had been in discussions with the Hawks a few deal, centered on Mason Plumlee, that may have delivered the No. 15 decide to Brooklyn IF Payne was nonetheless out there. No cube. The Thunder chosen Payne at No. 14 and it was once more thanks, however no thanks.
Billy King had one other deal within the works as nicely, one which labored. The Nets additionally appreciated Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and provided Plumlee and the forty first decide. They had been additionally prepared to tackle Steve Blake’s contract, which Portland demanded as a part of the deal. and the commerce acquired accomplished. Though RHJ turned a crew favourite, Plumlee has had a greater profession and the forty first decide become Pat Connaughton, who’s now a stable bench piece for the Bucks. Within the second spherical, the Nets had been excessive on 19-year-old Argentine Juan Pablo Vaulet, with a couple of govt referring to him as “the subsequent Manu!” when describing his skillset. At one level, they even thought of utilizing the No. 29 decide on him! As an alternative, they referred to as Charlotte and pried the thirty ninth decide away from the Hornets with a suggestion of two future second rounders, in 2018 and 2020, plus $880,000 in money. It left numerous pundits scratching their heads (even in Argentina). Appeared like loads for a child who hadn’t performed outdoors Argentina. The one competitors for JPV was supposedly the Spurs (the “Manu” factor), who had handed on him at No. 26, however who is aware of, may take him at No. 55. For his half, Manu Ginobili did congratulate each JPV and the Nets.
At across the similar time, the Grizzlies made a suggestion that may have modified the make-up of the Nets: they needed Joe Johnson and provided two expiring offers, these of Jeff Inexperienced and Courtney Lee in addition to Tony Allen, whose greatest years are behind him. Brooklyn reportedly needed a decide —and Lionel Hollins was not a giant fan of Inexperienced’s sport. Talks had been placed on maintain … and by no means revived.
2014
The Nets entered the Draft with no picks in both spherical. Their first rounder had been traded to Boston the 12 months earlier than and their second rounder had been dealt lengthy earlier than, for Bojan Bogdanovic within the 2011 Draft. However lo and behold, the Nets wound up the night with three picks, the Nos. 44, 59 and 60 picks. The Nets appreciated Markel Brown. On their inner mock, that they had him at No. 22. Why so excessive, in comparison with different groups? The Nets valued maturity and character a lot greater than different groups, appreciated four-year seniors from huge packages. So at No. 44, they went to Minnesota, who satirically sufficient, had the Nets previous decide, the one traded for Bogie three years earlier. The value was $1.1 million. Finished deal and everybody thought “accomplished for the night.”
Nope. In keeping with somebody within the Draft Warfare Room that evening, Dmitry Razumov advised that Billy King get on the telephone and name the groups that held the final two picks within the Draft, the Raptors who held No. 59 and the Sixers who held No. 60. The Nets had $900,000 they may spend. They appreciated Xavier Thames out of San Diego State, a 6’3” combo guard, and Cory Jefferson, a 6’9” ahead out of Baylor. Internally, that they had each excessive within the second spherical. Each had been four-year seniors. King suggested that the Nets didn’t need to spend the cash. The Nets may merely name them as soon as the draft ended and supply them spots in the summertime league. Razumov needed their rights and since he managed the purse strings, the Nets provided Toronto $500,000 and Philly $300,000. Finished and accomplished. And the crew with no picks wound up with three, two of whom made the roster, with one in all them, Brown, beginning 29 video games. He later was exiled to Russia.
2013
It appeared like a plain vanilla Draft Day, with no rumors of something impending. However it turned out to be an important Draft Day in franchise historical past, no less than since 2001 when Thorn acquired Colangelo to shake fingers on the Kidd deal within the afternoon, then drafted Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins that evening. However by way of penalties, it was as unhealthy—or worse— because the 2001 Draft Evening was good. It was franchise-changing however not in the best way the 2001 Draft was. Right here ya go, blow-by-blow. By the point Draft Day 2013 dawned, the Nets and Celtics had an settlement in precept to ship Paul Pierce to the Nets for Kris Humphries and the Nets 2016 decide. That’s when King and Dmitry Razumov acquired grasping and made a play for Kevin Garnett. As the remainder of the league sorted out scouting reviews for the worst draft in reminiscence, King and Danny Ainge saved speaking to one another.
Right here’s how King described the early course of…
”Danny and I began speaking forwards and backwards. Then, Bobby Marks and their assistant GM wre speaking again and we had been actually centered on Paul Pierce. I feel as we acquired near a deal for Paul, we mentioned, just about, ‘We’ll do that.’ So I mentioned, ‘What about Garnett?’ Danny mentioned, ‘Nah, I don’t suppose there’s something in your roster that may do it.’ So, I saved throwing issues at him and saved including after which I assume it was Draft day, the evening earlier than the Draft, I just about know that there’s a deal there. So, we acquired to resolve can we wish to do that. Spoke with possession and we agreed and I referred to as Danny and mentioned, ‘We’re in’.”
In the meantime in Boston, proprietor Wyc Grousbeck described it otherwise.
“As I recall — and Danny might bear in mind barely otherwise — however as I recall, he got here to me with that deal on draft day [in 2013] and mentioned, ‘We’re going to get two first-round picks from Brooklyn for [Garnett, Pierce, Terry, and D.J White], and tackle some contracts.’ And I mentioned, ‘OK, are [the picks] unprotected?’ And he mentioned, ‘Sure, actually, they’re.’ I mentioned, ‘Nice. Let’s go get a 3rd decide.’ And he goes, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa,’ however, ‘All proper, I’ll ask.’ And he’s not afraid to ask, he wasn’t pushing again. However he went and requested, and he mentioned, ‘Unbelievable. We acquired a 3rd decide. That is nice.’ And I mentioned, ‘Nice. Go get a fourth decide. I feel these guys have deal fever — we’re going to maintain going till they are saying no. I feel they’ve been informed by possession to get the deal accomplished, so let’s return.’ And Danny form of gave me a glance, like I don’t wish to lose the deal by pushing too exhausting. Usually we attempt to play down the center of the street with individuals, [but] I mentioned, ‘Go push aggressively for a fourth decide.’
King couldn’t commerce any extra picks, however he may conform to swap yet another and he did, the decide that become Jayson Tatum. Feeling woozy but?
In reality, in response to members, the primary iteration of the deal had Nets giving up two extra first spherical picks, in 2014 and 2018, plus Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans and Toko Shengelia for Garnett. Ainge needed the Nets to tackle Jason Terry or Courtney Lee. Lee had yet another 12 months on his deal so Terry was added to the combination. To make the deal work underneath the CBA, the Celtics agreed to take Keith Bogans in a sign-and-trade with a beginning wage of $5.2 million. By accepting Bogans in an S&T, the Celtics sentenced themselves to a tough cap. Extra wrangling ensued. The Nets wanted yet another settlement to get all of it accomplished: Garnett must waive his no-trade clause. Kidd and Deron Williams had been enlisted to text-bomb KG. The Nets agreed to pay his full wage in 2014-15. In the meantime, the Nets had been pursuing one other deal: Brooks and Reggie Evans for Minnesota’s Luke Ridnour, an expiring contract, and the Timberwolves’ twenty sixth decide in that evening’s draft. The T-Wolves need the Nets to take J.J. Barea, who has an added 12 months on his contract. No deal. Slightly earlier than 10 p.m. by about decide No. 17 or 18, the efforts to persuade KG lastly bore fruit. Garnett agreed to hitch the Nets, however the deal wasn’t fairly accomplished. Shengelia was changed by Kris Joseph who has a non-guaranteed contract. Finally, within the early morning hours, Evans was changed by Brooks, who badly needed out of Brooklyn. Who may blame him! At some later level, D.J. White change into a Web. The Nets’ resolution to dump Brooks was based mostly largely on their incapacity to get worth for him in that evening’s draft. Additionally, Evans is valued by Garnett, with whom he shares an agent. Within the midst of all this, the Nets choose Mason Plumlee at No. 22, though they’ve Kevin Garnett in addition to Brook Lopez and Andray Blatche up entrance (at that time within the night, Evans was nonetheless within the deal.) One different footnote: The Nets’ Russian possession was enormously disillusioned when the Cavaliers took Sergei Karasev at No. 19 and needed to see if Cleveland would do a deal, maybe in trade for Plumlee and Bojan Bogdanovic’s draft rights. Cleveland wasn’t . Whew.
If you wish to learn extra in regards to the 2013 commerce, you’re a masochist, however we’ll abide your weirdness and level you to tour Mr. Bondy’s Chamber of Horrors.
The Nets thought of Allen Crabbe. Crabbe, actually, informed YES Community in 2018 that he had “heard” he was going to the Nets. He lasted till No. 31 when the Blazers took him.
2012
The Nets had traded away their first spherical decide, their first because the Brooklyn Nets, to Portland, within the Gerald Wallace deal three months earlier on the commerce deadline. After studying that they had struck out with Dwight Howard that morning, they wanted a veteran to encourage Deron Williams to stick with the crew in free company. So that they spoke with the Portland entrance workplace. Ben Falk was the Basketball Analytics Supervisor with the Blazers on the time. Six years later, he wrote about how the Nets blew it for Cleaning the Glass, his web site. Falk advised that Blazers officers thought that they had put one over on Billy King. The Nets had been prepared to commerce their first rounder —and put minimal protections on the decide— in retrn for Wallace. The Blazers entrance workplace was shocked, Falk recalled. “After some back-and-forth with New Jersey it turned clear that they weren’t too involved with defending the decide outdoors the highest three, however felt strongly about not going any decrease than that.” The deal was seen as so lopsided that Falk mentioned the Blazers held their breath because the hours ticked all the way down to the commerce deadline. No want. Finished deal. If that they had saved the decide, the general No. 6, that they had hoped to take Thomas Robinson however he went to the Kings at No. 5. Additionally they appreciated Ty Zeller and Jon Henson. As an alternative, they watched because the Path Blazers took the long run rookie of the 12 months, Damian Lillard. Unusually, they didn’t thoughts.
Would the Nets taken Lillard? No. A Nets govt supplied NetsDaily with a listing of six prospects the Nets may need taken at No. 6. Lillard wasn’t on it, Perry Jones III was. Natch. As the primary spherical wore on on the Prudential Middle, the Nets made inquiries a few first rounder. There have been some out there, however the groups needed money and a future first spherical decide. The Nets weren’t , primarily as a result of two days earlier, Danny Ferry and Billy King started speaking a few commerce that may ship a decide to Atlanta within the Joe Johnson deal. Additionally, the Dwightmare hadn’t run its course (or so we thought!), so that they needed to hold on to their very own picks.
Within the second spherical, they didn’t have their very own decide. They traded it a 12 months earlier to the Warriors who took some man named Draymond Inexperienced. So that they purchased two picks. At No. 41, they took Tyshawn Taylor, utilizing a Path Blazer decide that they had purchased for $2 million. The Nets had Taylor going within the first spherical. Sixteen picks later, they purchased the rights to Toko Shengelia for $750,000. Then, with a decide left over the 2010 Chris Quinn – Rafer Alston deal, they took Ilkan Karaman of Turkey. They thought of others, like Maalik Wayns and Scott Machado, however went with the suggestions of Danko Cvjeticanin, their worldwide scout, as a substitute. The Nets may have had yet another decide, within the second spherical, the Lakers decide at No. 60. As a part of the Sasha Vujacic – Terrence Williams deal in 2010, the Nets had an possibility to purchase the decide for $250,000 so long as L.A. agreed. L.A. didn’t agree and saved the decide, taking Robert Sacre.
2011
They’d began out with three picks, however they traded their very own decide to Utah within the Deron Williams deal and it rose to No. 3 within the Lottery and have become Enes Kanter. So what. They’d Deron Williams. They did have the No. 27 decide, obtained from the Lakers within the Sasha Vujacic – Terrence Williams deal, and their very own second spherical decide at No. 36. They appreciated MarShon Brooks, with some within the struggle room believing nobody on the board had as a lot upside as Brooks. They didn’t suppose he would fall, however that they had accomplished their homework on him. No exercises however that they had investigated reviews that he was, in Ryen Rusillo’s phrases, “a foul child.” They discovered nothing. Because the Draft proceeded, Brooks started to drop. He had been penciled for the Pacers simply after the Lottery, however then San Antonio provided Indiana George Hill, an area child, for the decide so they may take Kawhi Leonard. The Pacers agreed. The Knicks appreciated Brooks, too, however appreciated Iman Shumpert much more. Within the stands, Brooks started to get nervous. His knees knocked. He feared doing to the draft would wind up a giant embarrassment, informed his mom so. In the meantime, King was watching and getting nervous. He appreciated Brooks and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Lastly, at No. 25, King didn’t wish to wait any longer. He provided Danny Ainge the No. 27 decide and the Nets’ 2013 second spherical decide in trade for Boston’s decide at No. 25. He feared that somebody, perhaps Dallas, perhaps another person who may have acquired Dallas’ decide, would swoop in and steal Brooks. He additionally had an opportunity to get each Brooks and Bogdanovic. Ainge agreed…Boston appreciated JaJuan Johnson anyway…and the deal was accomplished. King then moved on to Bogdanovic. Nets personnel had fallen in love with the Croatian the weekend earlier than when he got here in for a exercise. His solely draw back was a three-year deal he had (inexplicably) signed with Fenerbahce that very same week. Miami had the primary decide within the second spherical however they too needed somebody greater. The Nets, Warmth and Timberwolves did a sophisticated deal. The Timberwolves swapped their decide at No. 28 and money to the Warmth for Miami’s decide at No. 31. The Warmth took Norris Cole, their prize. The Nets then acquired the No. 31 decide from Minnesota for a reported $1.25 million and the Nets second spherical decide in 2014. They took Bogdanovic. 5 picks later, they took Jordan Williams, passing on Chandler Parsons who they did think about however needed Williams for his rebounding. Williams was later arrested for kidnapping, theft and assault of a juvenile male. Oh nicely, the second spherical is a crap shoot.
2010
From the lottery on, everybody sorta knew the Nets had been going to take Derrick Favors at No. 3, the youngest participant chosen within the Draft since Kevin Durant in 2007. However what most didn’t know was that earlier than the draft, the Pacers, searching for a degree guard and an influence ahead after a 32-win season, provided the Nets Danny Granger and the #10 decide (which become Paul George) for Favors and Devin Harris. The Nets mentioned no. The one thriller after that was who would the Nets take at No. 27 (the Dallas decide from the Jason Kidd commerce) and No. 31 (the Nets’ personal decide). Going into the draft, Rod Thorn mentioned he had 5 provides for No. 27 and three for No. 31. The Nets had their eye on two gamers: Craig Brackins, the 6’10” combo ahead out of Iowa State, and Eric Bledsoe, John Wall’s again up at Kentucky. However issues didn’t work out that approach. Bledsoe was passed by No. 18 and Brackins at No. 21. So the Nets went to Plan B. Damion James had been listed as excessive as No. 12 in one of many ultimate mock drafts and most had him going within the teenagers, however the Texas senior dropped. So the Nets referred to as Atlanta and provided the No. 27 decide and No. 31 decide for the No. 24. As followers watched unaware, the Hawks took James for the Nets. By the point No. 27 had rolled round and the Hawks took Jordan Crawford, information of the commerce had leaked out. The Hawks then rotated and offered the No. 31 decide to the Thunder for “money concerns”, $3.1 million, probably the most ever for a second spherical decide. They then had the Nets take a participant, German 7-footer Tibor Pleiss, for them. And the deal was accomplished.
Within the second spherical, the Nets reportedly mentioned shopping for a decide to take Lance Stephenson, however Stephenson’s checkered (to be variety) historical past at Lincoln Excessive Faculty dissuaded them. Additionally within the combine for that bought decide: Brian Zoubek and Ben Uzoh. They didn’t have to purchase a decide for both. Each went undrafted and had been signed to partially-guaranteed offers: $50,000 for. Zoubek, who troubled by a foul again, retired from the game; $35,000 to Uzoh who made the crew. Oh yeah, a child from Glen Falls, NY, labored out for the Nets early within the low season, wanting a promise earlier than he declared for the draft. However Thorn stopped giving out guarantees after Zoran Planinic (see under) and so Jimmer Fredette returned to Brigham Younger.
2009
Earlier than the draft, the Spurs approached the Nets with a proposal: they’d tackle Vince Carter’s contract in return for Fabricio Oberto and Bruce Bowen (each with simple buyouts) in addition to Kurt Thomas and Roger Mason Jr. Additionally they needed the Nets’ first spherical decide at No. 11. The Nets countered by saying they’d be prepared to do the deal however needed the draft rights to Tiago Splitter, who’s now a Nets assistant coach. The Spurs balked and turned to the Bucks and Jefferson. Because the No. 11 decide approached, Terrence Williams and Gerald Henderson Jr. thought they knew the place they had been headed. Henderson, the Duke SG, was satisfied he was going to the Nets and T-Will thought he was headed for Charlotte one decide later. So satisfied was Henderson that he informed the media after being picked at No. 12 that he had been informed that the Nets had been going to take him. T-Will had even talked about the Charlotte Bobcats in a radio interview a few days earlier than the draft.
Why the Nets went in the wrong way has by no means been defined, however the commerce of Vince Carter and Anderson for Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie that afternoon might have been a giant a part of it. It’s been speculated that Nets thought Williams may fill extra of the roles they misplaced with the departure of Carter, most significantly as a passer, not a Henderson power. Actually? At one level, the Nets additionally thought of taking DaJuan Blair at No. 11, however thought that was too excessive for a man with no ACL’s. The Spurs took him at No. 37.
2008
The legend is that the Nets had no concept that Brook Lopez would fall to them, by no means of their wildest desires. Uh, no. The day earlier than the Draft, Kiki Vandeweghe informed WFAN, “Brook Lopez is likely one of the guys you need to do due diligence on. I don’t suppose he will get to us however you need to do due diligence as a result of I assure you there shall be a scenario the place somebody shall be taken and you’ll say, wow, why did they take him and you need to be ready, as a result of two minutes earlier than decide you’re going to get a name asking ‘would you do that?’ and you need to suppose quick.” Certainly, “somebody” (Larry Brown) did one thing that permitted the Nets to have a shot at Lopez. After the eighth decide, the Bobcats informed Lopez’s agent he was their man. Then, Brown begged Michael Jordan to take a degree guard as a substitute. Lopez sat down and D.J. Augustin stood up. Who would the Nets have taken if Lopez had gone to the Bobcats? Staff officers have informed us the selection would have been Jerryd Bayless of Arizona … consistent with “greatest participant out there”. After all, the Nets traded Jefferson for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons earlier within the day.
The Nets got here shut to 2 different trades the day of the draft that may have affected the decide. Chad Ford reported that afternoon the Nets had been “deep” in negotiations with the Grizzlies to seize the No. 5 decide, providing Memphis the No. 10 and a future first spherical decide, presumably both theirs in 2009 or the Mavs’ 2010 decide, obtained within the Kidd commerce. Ford reported the Nets had been taken with Kevin Love and Danilo Gallinari, each of whom they believed (accurately) could be gone earlier than No. 10. Earlier, Ford and Adrian Wojnarowski had each reported on one other proposal. The Blazers had provided the Nets a deal by which both Mo Ager (Ford) or Trenton Hassell (Woj) would go to Portland together with the No. 10 decide in return for Steve Blake or Jarrett Jack and the Blazers’ No. 13 and No. 33 picks. And in one other permutation, Jonathan Givony of Draft Specific reported it was Marcus Williams and No. 10 for Jack and No. 13. At No. 21, the Nets admit they had been caught between Ryan Anderson and no less than two different gamers, Courtney Lee and Chris Douglas-Roberts. They went with the larger man, tried to purchase a decide to take CDR and failed, then acquired fortunate (after a trend).
Who did they aim at No. 40 earlier than Douglas-Roberts fell to them? Ford mentioned they appreciated Damjan Rudez of Croatia, a 6’10” small ahead…who didn’t have such an ideal season in Europe the subsequent 12 months however wound up with Indiana in 2014. The Web additionally thought of shopping for a decide to take Jaycee Caroll, the undersized capturing guard from Utah State. When that didn’t work out, they invited him to the summer time league the place he confirmed an ideal capturing stroke. He wound up in Europe the place turned one of many continent’s high 3-point specialists. He’s nonetheless enjoying at age 38. We may name him the Kyle Korver of Europe, however that may be flawed. You’ve already suffered sufficient.
2007
The Nets had been searching for a giant man, an athletic huge man. They appeared round at a number of prospects, showing to be taken with gamers as various as Jason Smith of Colorado State, Sean Williams of Boston Faculty, Josh McRoberts of Duke and even Glen “Large Child” Davis of LSU, who days earlier than the draft mentioned he needed to play for the Nets, that he appreciated Lawrence Frank! They had been apparently prepared to commerce it, too. The day earlier than the draft, the Charlotte Observer reported that the Nets provided their decide and Nachbar to the Bobcats for former lottery decide Sean Could, however Charlotte (fortunately) turned them down. In keeping with the Observer, the Cats whereas sad with Could’s conditioning and document of accidents, weren’t prepared to “give him away”.
The Nets and Pacers additionally engaged in commerce negotiations all via Draft Day, with New Jersey reportedly providing Jefferson, Collins and both Krstic or Marcus Williams for Jermaine O’Neal. By day’s finish, nevertheless, the talks had been described as “nothing concrete” and “fizzled”. Pacer GM Larry Chook referred to as all of it “bogus”. In the long run, the Nets settled for Sean Williams and proclaimed him KMart-like. Whereas the Nets interviewed Williams, he didn’t endure psychological testing. He had declined an invite to the Pre-Draft Mix. In doing so, he prevented being measured (he was no less than an inch and a half shorter than his listed top) and prevented being examined. Everyone knows how THAT labored out. (It didn’t.)
2006
Ever for the reason that KMart commerce in July 2004, the Nets knew they’d have no less than two picks within the 2006 draft, their very own and the Clippers’. No picks had been provided in as many trades as these two, no less than in response to press reviews. If the Sharif Abdur-Rahim deal had gone via, the Nets’ decide would have wound up in Portland. The Nets had additionally provided their very own decide to the Bobcats in a luxurious tax aid commerce in February 2005 earlier than getting a greater supply from the Hornets, within the type of Boki Nachbar. Across the similar time, that they had provided to commerce the Clipper decide again to its authentic house owners for Chris Wilcox. No deal, mentioned Elgin Baylor. To make issues worse, the Clippers’ decide turned much less and fewer beneficial because the Clippers rose within the standings. Not wouldn’t it be a lottery decide. Then, within the weeks earlier than the draft, New Jersey tried to maneuver up, providing each picks to Seattle for the rights to the No. 10 decide and to the Hornets for the No. 12 decide, hoping to take Saer Sene or Hilton Armstrong of UConn. No deal once more. Even because the draft was ongoing, the Nets had yet one more supply on the desk that would have effected these picks: the Bulls had been providing Luol Deng and their second decide within the first spherical (which become Thabo Sefolosha) for Richard Jefferson. The Nets needed the Bulls’ first decide in that spherical however the Bulls mentioned no.
Bobby Marks mentioned in December 2018 that certainly the Nets thought that they had a deal for the No. 2 general decide, however that in actuality, the Bulls had been providing a later decide within the first spherical. “In 2006, we thought we getting the second general decide within the draft from Chicago. And we had been going to select LaMarcus Aldridge. And it wound up being that Chicago was providing us their second first-round decide within the draft, which was decide 16. It become Rodney Carney.”
Lastly, after two years and one evening of providing the picks, the Nets settled on Marcus Williams and Josh Boone, each obvious bargains that low within the first spherical. However in 2016, Jay Wright, the Villanova coach, and Kyle Lowry, his protege’, revealed that that they had a promise from Ed Stefanski, Rod Thorn’s No. 2, to take Lowry with a type of picks! Stefanski broke his promise, nevertheless, saying Williams simply an excessive amount of of certain factor to move on. And as soon as they took Williams at No. 22, there was no motive to take one other level guard at 23, so that they selected Boone. Lowry admitted he was in a little bit of panic after the Nets handed on him, however Memphis took him with the subsequent decide. He wound up a four-time All-Star, third crew All-NBA participant, Olympic gold medalist and NBA champion. Williams and Boone wound up out of the league inside 4 years. Like Antoine Wright the 12 months earlier than, the Nets by no means labored out Williams, by no means interviewed him. Williams, it’s now recognized, was additionally being thought of by the Raptors because the picks had been referred to as out. Hassan Adams, as soon as regarded as a lottery decide, fell exhausting as nicely that evening to No. 54, the place the Nets grabbed him. He didn’t even final three years. Not numerous alternative within the NBA for a 6’2 1⁄2 energy ahead.
2005
The morning of the draft, the New York Publish reported the Nets had determined that if Antoine Wright was out there, they’d seize him at No. 15. Wright, who the Nets had by no means labored out, by no means interviewed was the consensus No. 12 decide in mock drafts. When the Raptors took Charlie Villanueva, the Lakers took Andrew Bynum and the Magic took Fran Vasquez (who?), Wright turned out there, as did Gerald Inexperienced and Danny Granger. Granger had had minor knee surgical procedure earlier than the season and confirmed up at his exercises with swelling in the identical knee. So with the Nets being orthopedic-centric, the selection got here all the way down to Inexperienced or Wright. There have been supporters in each camps that evening within the Warfare Room, however Wright was chosen. Why not a giant? As a result of the Nets had already booked Lawrence Frank on a flight to Atlanta three days later to recruit Shareef Abdur-Rahim, believing accurately that they may persuade him to play for the mid-level exception.
What followers didn’t know until 2007 was that the Nets had been frantically attempting to purchase an early second spherical decide that evening so they may seize Monta Ellis, the Mississippi highschool product who had fallen out of the primary spherical due to his knee issues. They failed and Golden State took him at No. 40. So the Nets settled at No. 43 on Mile Ilic, not an ideal comfort prize. He was paid $1.6 million over two years and by no means scored a degree. (The Blazers initially needed Ilic within the Abdur-Rahim deal, however the Nets mentioned no.) Wright admitted years later that he hadn’t labored exhausting and threw tantrums his rookie season. Like we mentioned, the Nets had by no means interviewed him earlier than drafting him.
2004
It doesn’t get a lot worse than this. Properly, yeah, it did, however not for a number of years later. Bruce Ratner, in a cost-cutting mode, determined to promote the Nets first spherical decide for $3 million. He was attempting to persuade 4 funding bankers to place up some cash. They needed him to chop prices. So briefly order, the Nets offered the primary rounder … and declined to match Kenyon Martin’s supply from the Nuggets. Irrespective of. The bankers resolve to not make investments. (This story wants all kinds of emojis like this one: ♂️.)
Whereas the draft was certainly weak, it did produce a number of respectable gamers after the Nets No. 22 decide, together with sharpshooter Kevin Martin and multi-talent huge Anderson Varejao. Thorn mentioned the subsequent day that he may need had second ideas in regards to the deal if J.R. Smith or Jameer Nelson had been out there, however each had been passed by No. 20. The Blazers took Viktor Khryapa, a 6’9” energy ahead from CSKA Moscow, then owned by you-know-who, the long run Nets proprietor. Ironies abound.
Within the second spherical at No. 51, the Nets took somebody DraftExpress described the subsequent day as one in all three “steals of the draft”: Christian Drejer. Drejer was seen as a extremely expert 6’10” Danish level ahead who had performed for Billy Donovan at Florida then ran off in mid-season to F.C. Barcelona…and a $1 million contract. His abilities, nevertheless, took a again seat to his emotional fragility, profitable him the nickname, “El Enigma” in Spain and “il Depresso” in Italy. No translation mandatory. Nets held on to his rights for commerce functions until he retired in 2009, however after a dismal 2005 summer time league audition, Nets officers mentioned merely that he was “not in our plans”. When he scored 23 factors towards the Raptors in an NBA exhibition sport in Rome in 2007, some Nets followers questioned if he wasn’t price one other look. Not lengthy after, an extended balky ankle acquired worse and he retired from the sport.
2003
A top-heavy draft little question however the Nets knew who they needed from the start: Zoran Planinic. They even gave him a assure that if was nonetheless on the board after they picked, he could be a Web. In return, Planinic claimed an ankle damage and shut down his exercises. He was to be the subsequent Croatian sensation at CAA and Kidd’s backup. However after a stable summer time league, his lack of English abilities and on-court inconsistency doomed him to first Byron Scott’s then Lawrence Frank’s bench. The week earlier than the draft, Chad Ford reported that nothing is ever sure within the draft, however the closest factor to certainty was the Nets’ love of Planinic at No. 22. Stefanski informed Fred Kerber that the Nets had been additionally taking a look at different potentialities: Boris Diaw and Carlos Delfino. Diaw was gone one decide sooner than Planinic, Delfino three picks later.
By giving Planinic that promise, the Nets needed to move on various gamers who dropped that evening, together with so as Delfino, Kendrick Perkins, Leandro Barbosa, Josh Howard, Jason Kapono, Steve Blake, Mo Williams and Zaza Pachulia all of whom had extra productive NBA careers . However selecting Planinic wasn’t the most important blunder of that evening. Within the second spherical, the Nets took Kyle Korver with the 51th decide, then offered his rights to the Sixers for a pittance…$125,000. Good transfer by Billy King, who was nonetheless bragging about it as he walked out the door in East Rutherford! Why’d the Nets do it? Stefanski mentioned the Nets merely didn’t have the roster house. Oh nicely. A part of the cash, Zach Lowe later revealed, went to purchase a extremely neat copier machine that fact be informed faxed and collated to. And Bobby Marks revealed solely just lately that one other a part of the $150,000 went to repaving the car parking zone on the Nets observe facility within the Meadowlands. In different phrases, they acquired loads. Get it? Loads! Okay, by no means thoughts.
Korver rubbed it in throughout his 2019 Graduation Handle at Creighton, his alma mater. “I later discovered they used that cash to pay for the entry charge for the summer time league crew and with the leftover cash that purchased a replica machine. What’s your commerce worth? As a result of mine apparently is a replica machine. However it’s OK as a result of a few years in the past, that replicate machine broke and I’m nonetheless enjoying.”
2002
The 12 months of worldwide intrigue. The Nets had had their eyes on Nenad Krstic, an 18-year-old seven-footer from Serbia, for greater than a 12 months. They labored out shooters galore, made it seem that gamers like Casey Jacobsen or Flip Murray could be taken. They by no means labored out Krstic. Selecting at No. 24, they knew that that they had higher not inform anybody. Stefanski actually has mentioned solely he and Thorn knew who they had been going to take. Good factor they saved it quiet. Spurs’ administration had let it slip to the San Antonio Specific-Information that they had been planning to take Krstic at No. 26. The Spurs had been so upset they misplaced Krstic that they provided the Nets a commerce that evening, particulars of which have by no means been revealed. Oh yeah, the Nets took Tamar Slay at No. 54. Wonderful towel waver.
2001
Nobody knew it on the time, however this was the day the franchise rotated. That afternoon, Thorn and Jerry Colangelo agreed in precept to buying and selling Jason Kidd for Stephon Marbury. Then, that night, Thorn took a danger. He picked Eddie Griffin, the troubled Seton Corridor star, at No. 7, believing that Carroll Dawson of the Rockets coveted him. A telephone name to Houston confirmed his perception and Thorn stayed on the telephone with Dawson as Houston picked Richard Jefferson (No. 13), Jason Collins (No. 18) and Brandon Armstrong (No. 23) with the primary spherical picks traded for Griffin. Someplace between No. 18 and No. 23, the commerce was introduced to loud booing at Madison Sq. Backyard, however two of the three proved to be nice picks, with Jefferson and Collins going from dependable subs of their rookie 12 months to five-year starters for convention and division champs.
However it may have been oh so good. Thorn has admitted he thought of taking Gilbert Arenas, the 19-year-old level guard from Arizona, as a substitute of Armstrong. His resolution supposedly got here after he acquired unhealthy opinions on Arenas from Eddie Jordan, then assistant coach, and good opinions on Armstrong from Jerry West. Arenas turned an all-Star whereas Armstrong has been minimize by groups within the NBA, Italian League and D-League. Furthermore, Dawson reportedly needed the Nets to conform to a swap of first rounders in 2002’s draft, believing the Nets could be within the lottery. As an alternative, the Nets gained 52 video games and the Rockets wound up with the general No. 1 decide, Yao Ming. No should be grasping. Spherical two yielded fan favourite Brian Scalabrine.
2000
The Nets acquired fortunate (profitable the lottery at 25-1 odds) and unfortunate (the worst draft within the final 20 years). Then, throughout exercises, Kenyon Martin collapsed after three or 4 performs, an indicator that he was both sad in regards to the prospect of enjoying for the woeful Nets or his leg was nonetheless not healed after severe surgical procedure that winter. By no means thoughts. The Nets took him anyway, passing on Darius Miles. Whew. Within the second spherical, they go huge as nicely, taking Soumalia Samake, one of many crew’s most forgettable gamers (final seen toiling in China). The teeth-gritting begins right here. John Nash, the Nets outgoing GM, has mentioned then chief scout Ed Stefanski argued that evening for the Nets to take an Ohio State capturing guard named Michael Redd. He was shouted down.
Additional particular heartbreak!
Again in 1984, the Nets drafted a future Corridor of Famer within the sixth (!) spherical, Oscar Schmidt, a 6’8” capturing guard from Brazil. Schmidt, whose nickname was Mão Santa (Holy Hand), in his homeland. The Nets GM on the time, Bob MacKinnon, despatched Schmidt a letter welcoming him to the group and giving him the dates for coaching camp, and so forth. Right here’s the letter, just lately unearthed…
Schmidt declined then and for years later. He was truly within the information this week. He holds the Olympic single sport scoring document with 55 factors, which Luka Doncic challenged with a 48-point effort towards Argentina.
So, there you’ve gotten it. When you’ve learn this far, you notice one factor: Ya by no means know!
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