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The two co-SEC 2019-20 Players of the Year were selected in this year’s NBA draft, and both will call New York their home to start their pro careers.
Although he was projected to go in the second round in most mock drafts, Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley — who the Nets met with ahead of the draft — was taken No. 25 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The guard was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves and again to the New York Knicks. (Clearly, the Brooklyn Nets weren’t the only ones that had a crazy draft night.)
Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry, however, didn’t trend in the same direction — which was totally fine with Sean Marks. The Nets were able to scoop him up in the three-way trade with the Clippers and Pistons after he slipped to Los Angeles at No. 57.
“He’s a big man out there with a forceful nature and step out on the floor, as well as play in the post,” Brooklyn’s general manager told reporters on a Zoom call, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “But we had him much higher on our board. I look forward to seeing him develop, I look forward to seeing him in camp and going from there.”
While the Nets seem set down low between Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan, Brooklyn now has a pair of young bigs in Perry and Nic Claxton who could be part of the equation in time.
Doesn’t hurt the Nets to add a big at that stage in the draft. You’re likely not getting a player who’s going to make an impact this season. Plus, why not take advantage of having Amar’e Stoudemire on staff? Isn’t he in Brooklyn to help their bigs That’s why he’s in Brooklyn right? To He can help Perry and Claxton bring their game to another level.