The NBA Draft has not even started, and things might already be getting a little more complicated for the Brooklyn Nets. Tuesday’s surprise trade between the Pelicans and Wizards, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, was not just about a guard swap of two pretty big names in CJ McCollum and Jordan Poole. The deal has now caused some ripple effects. One of them? The Nets might be about to lose their dream draft target in Khaman Maluach.
Why he could no longer be available to Brooklyn:
The Pelicans, involved Kelly Olynyk as a player part of the deal and now they suddenly need a center. That is kind of bad news for the Nets because the Pels just happen to pick at the seventh slot, one slot ahead of Brooklyn's best current pick at 8. Maluach is a 7’1” big man from South Sudan with massive upside and the kind of raw tools that teams would love to gamble on. He has extraordinary shot-blocking instincts, a 7’6” wingspan, and elite rim-finishing numbers. He is the kind of player you take a chance on if you are trying to find your next franchise big man.
How is this a problem for the Nets?
With Nic Claxton’s future up in the air and Day’Ron Sharpe entering restricted free agency, the Nets need to find their next long-term big. Maluach made too much sense. But now, unless something changes, he might not even make it to them. This is where Sean Marks has a decision to make. Brooklyn’s been smart so far, they just picked up another first-rounder (Number 22) in a smart forward-thinking deal. They have quietly positioned themselves with six picks in this draft, the most of any team. But if they love Maluach, and all signs suggest they do, it might be time to package those picks and move up.
Plan B option
If the Nets do not want to move up for a big, then a guy like Derrick Queen could be a safe solid fallback. He may not have the same physical tools as Maluach but he is a better passer, and has the production to back it up. However, there is a difference between safe and special, and Maluach, for all his rawness, has the chance to be special.
The Nets do need a young player who could play the five to grow with this team. Maluach might have been that guy. But now, with New Orleans lurking one pick earlier, the Nets might have to act fast, to move up or start scouting someone else. This is the draft that can define their rebuild. Missing out by one pick would hurt, but at the end of the day I am sure Sean Marks has a plan and I am excited for what is to come.