Tanking, moral or not, doesn’t guarantee NBA Draft Lottery success.
The Nets have been considered one of a number of groups who realized this the arduous approach on Monday in Chicago. Regardless of holding the sixth-best odds within the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, the ping pong balls didn’t fall in Brooklyn’s favor, leaving it with the No. 8 choose in June.
Studies recommend Flagg was one ping pong ball away from becoming a member of the Nets. That’s a intestine punch for Nets followers, however they weren’t alone of their frustration.
The NBA’s three worst groups — the Utah Jazz (17-65), Washington Wizards (18-64) and Charlotte Hornets (19-63) — will choose fifth, sixth and seventh within the draft. In the meantime, the Dallas Mavericks, who completed 39-43 and reached the Play-In Match after buying and selling Luka Doncic, defied 1.8% odds to land the No. 1 choose.
The final time the NBA’s worst group received the No. 1 choose was 2018. Final yr, the Atlanta Hawks received it regardless of having the Tenth-best odds. It’s definitely not the very best search for the league. The wealthy hold profitable, whereas the poor stay trapped in mediocrity.
Followers claiming the lottery is rigged have contemporary gasoline. The Cleveland Cavaliers received it proper after LeBron James left. The New Orleans Pelicans received after buying and selling Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers and once more after Anthony Davis joined the Los Angeles Lakers. And now basketball is saved in Dallas, regardless of groups with much less expertise and larger want for Flagg’s expertise.
Nevertheless, declaring the lottery system’s flaws doesn’t ease the frustration or change the end result. Until Dallas GM Nico Harrison orchestrates one other blockbuster commerce, Flagg will probably be a Maverick. The following tier of prime expertise will go to San Antonio, Philadelphia and Charlotte. Then Brooklyn might want to make do with the very best obtainable participant at No. 8 total.
Traditionally, the No. 8 choose has been a difficult spot. The final 10 gamers chosen eighth total have been Rob Dillingham (Minnesota), Jarace Walker (Indiana), Dyson Daniels (Atlanta), Franz Wagner (Orlando), Obi Toppin (Indiana), Jaxon Hayes (Lakers), Collin Sexton (Utah), Frank Ntilikina (abroad), Marquese Chriss (abroad) and Stanley Johnson (G League).
Whereas it’s too early to evaluate gamers like Dillingham, Walker and Daniels, Wagner, a 2022 NBA All-Rookie First Crew choice, seems to be the one one listed with reasonable All-Star upside. In accordance with Basketball Reference, solely 4 gamers chosen eighth total have been named All-Stars, and the Nets desperately want star energy.
Per ClutchPoints’ Erik Slater, Brooklyn has met with Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears, Duke’s Kon Knueppel, BYU’s Egor Demin and Arizona’s Carter Bryant on the NBA Scouting Mix in Chicago, with extra prospect conferences scheduled this week.
Fears, a 6-4 freshman guard who averaged 17.1 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists whereas main Oklahoma to the NCAA Match final season, could be a really perfect choose for the Nets at No. 8, addressing their want for a younger level guard if he slides down the board.
Regardless of the Nets’ lottery disappointment, this yr’s deep draft class gives hope, with abilities like Fears as prime examples. Brooklyn may also choose at Nos. 19 (through Bucks), 26 (through Knicks), 27 (through Rockets) and 36 (personal), giving it 5 picks contained in the Prime 40 alternatives.
Though GM Sean Marks is unlikely to roster 5 rookies in 2025-26, the Nets’ a number of picks may allow them to construct a younger, balanced and versatile roster. They will take calculated dangers on high-upside gamers whereas positioning themselves for the talent-rich 2026 draft.
The 2025 picks might not develop into All-Stars, however with thorough scouting, the Nets can add high-floor contributors now and pursue a star later.
Throw in a wealth of future draft property and $45-$60 million in projected obtainable cap area this offseason, Brooklyn is poised for a rebuild few groups can rival. Lacking out on Flagg stings, little question about it. However the probability to assemble a real Jap Convention contender stays, even when it takes time.
