In a Nets season that’s all in regards to the rebuild, they’re all however assured of their first lottery decide in a decade and a half.
And Wednesday they had been crushed by fellow tanking rival Toronto in a sport with all kinds of lottery implications.
The Nets and Raptors are each hoping for the coveted high decide and generational expertise Cooper Flagg, however in one of many deepest drafts in current reminiscence, there are a bunch of different elite abilities that would doubtlessly grow to be the inspiration of a roster.
And video games like Wednesday’s had been important in jockeying for place.
With the loss, the Nets saved tempo with the 76ers — who misplaced to the Wizards — for fifth within the lottery odds, and the seventh-place Raptors now trailing them by three video games.
As a refresher, drawings might be carried out Might 12 for the highest 4 picks.
The fifth-worst document would give the Nets a ten.5 % probability at Flagg and 42.1 % odds of a high 4 decide.
At sixth, these would fall to 9 and 37.25 %, seventh to 7.5 and 31.9. That’s presuming there aren’t any ties, which might skew the percentages.
With the lottery’s fifth seed, the Nets would have virtually no probability to truly decide there, their likeliest touchdown spot both seventh (26.7) or sixth (19.6).
At sixth, their likeliest draft slot would nonetheless be choosing seventh (29.8), however this time adopted by eighth (20.55).
And in the event that they “fall” to seventh, choosing eighth would grow to be by far their most possible end result (34.1), adopted by seventh (19.7) and even ninth (12.9), a tricky capsule for such a misplaced season.
Although choosing within the 4-9 vary gained’t internet them Flagg or Rutgers’ Dylan Harper (or seemingly even RU’s Ace Bailey), there may be expertise available — greater than in virtually any season in current reminiscence.
“I’ll put VJ Edgecombe and Tre Johnson in that blend. These guys are nice,” longtime 76ers scout Michael VandeGarde instructed The Put up. “[My fifth pick] could be Tre Johnson. You can change the order between two dudes, however I’d be ecstatic about them. … Then there’s a large drop-off after these 5.”
Jonathan Givony of ESPN is regarded the gold normal of draftniks, and his up to date “massive board” has Edgecombe, Johnson, Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears, Duke’s Khaman Maluach, teammate Kon Knueppel and Maryland’s Derik Queen within the 4-10 slots.
Edgecombe, a 6-foot-5 freshman, went to Lengthy Island Lutheran. He’s bought an explosive vertical leap and electrifying first step. He’s a disruptive defender with questions on his offense.
Edgecombe took over late in Baylor’s NCAA tourney opening win over Mississippi State, and had 16 factors and 6 boards vs. Duke. Johnson has improved his capturing because the season went on.
“Edgecombe is without doubt one of the freakiest athletes I’ve ever seen in my life, and he’s put collectively a string [down the stretch] the place he’s simply been enjoying his ass off,” VandeGarde instructed The Put up.
Johnson, who simply turned 19, is likely to be probably the most gifted pure scorer within the draft. Like a taller (6-6) model of Cam Thomas, he each takes and makes robust pictures.
Texas went simply 19-16 and misplaced within the first spherical, however Johnson had 23 factors in that loss, going 4-for-7 from deep.
He averaged 19.9 factors on 39.7 % from 3 and is even a reliable passer, although a poor defender.
“Tre Johnson’s been unbelievable. Each night time he involves play and each night time he places up numbers. He can rating in any respect three ranges,” VandeGarde instructed The Put up. “He’s not a freak athlete, however he’s bought good size, good measurement. He’s been an absolute stud in all places he’s been at all ages. I actually like that child.”
Jakucionis is an enormous 6-6 level guard who nonetheless wants to chop down his turnovers (six in every of his previous 4 video games) and grow to be a extra constant shooter (24. % in his previous 10). His worst sport got here matched up towards Harper, however simply 18 with measurement and playmaking chops, he has scouts intrigued.
