You could have forgiven the Brooklyn Nets fans for checking out of the 2025 NBA Draft after Round 1. After all, the team had already made five first-round picks, yes you heard that right…five. Coming into night two they flipped their only second-rounder which was the No. 36 overall to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for two future second rounders.
With that move, the Nets waved goodbye to the rest of draft night, choosing future flexibility over immediate action. And yet, near after the draft officially ended and fans were getting ready for bed, Brooklyn managed to do something quite impressive by signing undrafted free agent Grant Nelson.
The 6-foot-10 forward out of Alabama did not get the pleasure of hearing his name called on draft night, but he will still have a shot of making his dreams come true by suiting up for Brooklyn in the summer league after agreeing to a two-way deal.
What is special about Nelson?
Nelson was not the biggest name out there in terms of undrafted free agent options, but his resume seems like a good one with the black and white. Nelson was a transfer from North Dakota State, he made a name for himself in the SEC by doing a little bit of everything whether it be rebounding, defending, or even making highlight reel plays by posterizing other bigs. Last season he averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 boards, and 1.2 blocks per game, and more importantly, was a key reason Alabama made a run in March Madness all the way to the Elite Eight.
He has had some memorable moments in college including a performance where he stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks back in 2024 to upset the number 1 seed UNC in the Sweet 16. Or the moment when he dunk on Uconn’s Donovan Clingan in the Final Four a couple years ago. Yep that is right, the same Donovan Clingan who was selected 7th in the draft last year by the Portland Trail Blazers. Just those couple moments alone shows that he is not afraid of the bright lights.
What is the reason he went undrafted?
The concerns surrounding Nelson is that his jumper is inconsistent, and he is not a clean positional fit. But the thing is the Nets are not asking him to be a finished product on day one. They are asking him to bring energy, and athleticism to a roster that is now suddenly overflowing with young talent.
Personally, I believe landing Nelson even on a two-way, is a smart move. Brooklyn passed on every opportunity to add more depth in Round 2, by trading their 36th pick for future assets. That could have left them with a hole. Instead, they landed a player who still has the tools to carve out a role on this squad. Although most people's attention will be drawn to who the Nets selected in round one, Grant Nelson still might be the bonus piece that no one saw coming.