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The Brooklyn Nets have a lot to look forward to next season as they strive to be a force in the Eastern Conference and possibly win a playoff series or two. Interestingly, it seems that their highest draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft may not be developed enough to be a part of that journey next season.
According to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, Brooklyn’s highest draft pick, Noah Clowney, may not be ready to contribute to the team for the 2023-24 campaign. Clowney, selected 21st overall, came into the league with a decent amount of promise due to his profile of being a big who can potentially serve as a stretch-five, had a rough Vegas summer league performance.
Through five games, Clowney averaged just 4.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 22.6% from the field and 23.5% from three-point land. Not only did Clowney averaged four personal fouls per game, he also was essentially benched in favor of RaiQuan Gray for the second half of the Nets’ semi-final game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to his poor performance. Here’s what Wasserman had to say about Clowney and why he believes that Clowney will spend his time in the G League for next season:
“Turning 19 on Friday, Noah Clowney is a project with a valued archetype. He’s a stretch big who rebounds, blocks shots and defends pick-and-rolls.
He just seems too far away as a shooter and big who can put the ball down for the Brooklyn Nets to expect consistent contributions out of him right away. Clowney will be better off getting 30 minutes per game in the G League, where he can continue to build up his three-point confidence and skill level for attacking closeouts.
If Brooklyn plans to play Ben Simmons and/or Day’Ron Sharpe, it’s difficult to picture Clowney getting much of a regular-season role.”
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