[jwplayer kBav5MVx]
The Brooklyn Nets have quite the busy offseason ahead of them now that they’re run inside the Disney bubble is at an end.
There’s the matter of the team’s next permanent head coach. In the middle of that, Brooklyn has to make whatever fortifications necessary have the right cast around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — whether that means re-signing players or bringing on new ones via trade or free agency.
All the while, the Nets have to continue to prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft — assuming they intend to use either or both of their picks.
The Nets have Philadelphia’s first-round 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 they have the Denver Nuggets’ second-round selection.
Right now, Brooklyn has the No. 19 and No. 55 picks.
Here’s a look at one player Brooklyn could take at No. 55:
Cassius Winston | Michigan State | Guard
STATS: 18.6 PPG | 43.2 3-PT% | 5.9 APG
Cassius Winston’s true draft value is hard to pin down. Some see him going late in the first round. Others, like Eric Fawcett of Sporting News, have the Spartan going in the second round — in Fawcett’s case, Winston slips back to the Nets at No. 55.
First thing that jumps out is his 3-point shooting. He was rock-solid from deep throughout his career at Michigan State, whether he’s taking two threes a night or five-plus.
Long-range shooting is the most valuable skill in the league right now. Adding another guard off the bench who can do that is always helpful.
Additionally, Winston distributes the ball well.
Now, the defensive end is another story.
Winston isn’t tall and he’s not crazy athletic. But, in Brooklyn, with Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert healthy, he’s going to be a quick scoring option off the bench, that’s it. Get him in and out quick.
If changes are made to the roster along the way, Winston could still be a solid back-up guard who packs an offensive punch.
With Steve Nash running the show, Winston could develop into a more impactful player, too.
Should Winston slip this far back, he’d be an outstanding pickup for Brooklyn.
Nets 2020 NBA mock draft radar:
Arkansas wing Mason Jones
UNC guard Cole Anthony
Vanderbilt wing Aaron Nesmith
Alabama guard Kira Lewis
TCU guard Desmond Bane
Hapoel Tel Aviv guard Yam Madar
LSU guard Skylar Mays
Kansas guard Devon Dotson
New Zealand Breakers guard RJ Hampton
Texas Tech guard Jahmi’us Ramsey
Duke guard Tre Jones
Maryland forward Jalen Smith
Florida State wing Patrick Williams
Arizona wing Josh Green
Villanova wing Saddiq Bey
Colorado wing Tyler Bey
Florida State wing Devin Vassell
Seton Hall guard Myles Powell
Washington forward Jaden McDaniels
Ohio State center Kaleb Wesson
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
RELATED: Cameroon prospect hopes Nets take him in 2020 NBA draft