Brooklyn targets a record-breaking Big Ten freshman to lead their backcourt while adding elite rim protection and nation-leading three-point shooting with three versatile high-upside draft picks.
The NBA draft is less than a month away, and mock drafts are ramping up, as Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor dropped his newest mock on Monday with detailed descriptions for each selection.
The Brooklyn Nets have three picks -- No. 6, No. 33 and No. 43 -- and could leave the draft with impactful additions despite failing to land within the top four in the May 10 lottery reveal.
NetsRoundtable will focus on the prospects O'Connor projects Brooklyn to draft on June 24-25.
No. 6: Keaton Wagler, Guard, Illinois
O'Connor believes Wagler is the best guard available, and this selection is similar to the Nets' selection of Egor Dëmin with the No. 8 pick last year.
The 6-foot-5 freshman possesses high-IQ playmaking and is a crafty scorer. He scored a career-high 46 points against then-No. 4 Purdue on an efficient 13-for-17 shooting and 11-for-13 from the free throw line. Wagler's 46 points made history for the most points scored by a freshman in Big Ten history.
He had 14 games with five or more assists, including two games with 10 assists. Wagler can play on and off the ball, providing unique versatility that could mitigate his lack of athleticism.
No. 33: Flory Bidunga, Forward, Kansas
Bidunga's availability in this year's draft is fluid, depending on whether he decides to return to college and play for Louisville, his transfer destination.
O'Connor believes there is untapped potential in the former Kansas Jayhawk, who moved to the United States as a teenager. Bidunga is a 6-foot-8 bouncy lob threat with solid defensive instincts to anchor the paint, and could switch out on the perimeter.
He nearly averaged a double-double at Kansas, scoring 13.3 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Bidunga also anchored the paint for coach Bill Self with 2.6 blocks a game, leading the Big 12 conference.
No. 43: Milan Momcilovic, Forward Iowa State
O'Connor says Momcilovic is the shooter Brooklyn needs, especially with multiple players who can handle the ball.
The 6-foot-8 forward led the nation in three-point shooting, nailing 48.7% of his 7.5 three-point attempts. High-volume shooters are a staple in the NBA, a valuable skill set for players, and Momcilovic is elite at it.
However, three-point shooting is likely Momcilovic's only strength, given 68% of his 11.1 shot attempts were three-pointers.
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