Among the uncertainties surrounding the NBA as the novel coronavirus continues to be a major issue in the U.S. is the 2020 draft.
NBA teams won’t be able to look at college players during March Madness, and the rest of the pre-draft process is expected to be limited. The matter of when the draft will actually happen is up in the air, as well. Especially if the league tries to crown a 2020 champion.
For the Brooklyn Nets, based on where the standings were when the league went on hiatus, their first-round pick would convey to the Timberwolves. Minnesota acquired Brooklyn’s top-14 protected pick from the Hawks, which the Nets sent to Atlanta in a trade that delivered Taurean Prince.
But the Nets will not be without a first-round selection. They have Philadelphia’s top-14 protected pick, which Brooklyn acquired when they sent the No. 27 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — which wound up being Mfiondu Kabengele — to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Nets’ second-round pick belongs to the Boston Celtics, but Brooklyn the Denver Nuggets’ second-round selection.
Right now, the Nets fall have the No. 20 and No. 55 picks.
Here’s a look at one player Brooklyn could take at No. 20:
Jalen Smith | Maryland | Forward
STATS: 15.5 PPG | 10.5 RPG | 36.8 3-PT%
Although the Nets have two established big men in DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen, as well as 2019 draft pick Nic Claxton, Marc Berman of the New York Post sees Brooklyn taking Smith in the first round:
Kevin Durant’s win-now Nets could use immediate bench help — not a project.
While Smith can do a bit of everything — including protect the rim (2.4 blocks per game in 2019-20) — a rookie might not be the answer for “immediate bench help.” Adding a veteran may be the preferred route for Durant and Kyrie Irving.
If Smith is available at No. 20, Brooklyn should still consider him. However, the Nets may feel more inclined to package him in a deal if they’re looking to add one or two more pieces.
Nets 2020 NBA mock draft radar:
Duke guard Tre Jones
Florida State wing Patrick Williams
Arizona wing Josh Green
Villanova wing Saddiq Bey
Colorado wing Tyler Bey
Florida State wing Devin Vassell
Washington forward Jaden McDaniels
Ohio State center Kaleb Wesson
Evansville forward DeAndre Williams
Oklahoma wing Kristian Doolittle
Pesaro forward Paul Eboua
Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey
Olympiacos center Aleksej Pokusevski
Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey
Arizona guard Nico Mannion
ASVEL wing Theo Maledon
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