Keaton Wagler is off to the NBA Draft after guiding a Final Four run. Can he fit inside Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn Nets have one more game before officially turning the page to NBA Draft season.
General manager Sean Marks is already fielding questions about landing inside the top three. Marks admits having a "nervous" component but remains optimistic the team will land high in the June event.
Darius Acuff of Arkansas entered the picture as a projected Nets option at No. 3. But Acuff isn't the only sharpshooter available during late June.
Keaton Wagler of Illinois officially entered the draft waters Saturday. He's fresh off putting the Illini into the Final Four for the first time in 21 years.
Time to see if the prized Illinois freshman can fit the Nets.
Keaton Wagler a high-volume scorer
Wagler heads to the league after averaging 17.9 points per game. He even surpassed double figures in scoring from Dec. 6 until the round of four in the NCAA Tournament.
He's even lit up nationally-ranked teams...which fuel his draft intrigue.
Wagler torched No. 4 Purdue with 46 points back on Jan. 24. He dropped 28 points against Nebraska, which was No. 5 at the time on Feb. 1. Even national champion Michigan witnessed Wagler go off on them scoring wise with 23 points on Feb. 27.
Wagler later poured 25 against Iowa to seal the Final Four bid during the Elite Eight. UConn ended Wagler and Illinois' season...but came with him hitting 20 against the Huskies.
NBA teams including the Nets will know Wagler stepped up in big games. Making him beyond ready for the bright lights of the pro game.
What makes Wagler NBA ready
Obviously Wagler can hit 20 to 46 points on any given night.
But it's how he gets his points that should intrigue fans.
Wagler trusts his brains to attack defenses first. He's cerebral in identifying the opening in a defense then executing the pick-and-roll.
Wagler handed Illinois a long range sniper who hit 41% of his 3-pointers. Teams will fawn over his quick release on catch-and-shoot plays.
But they'll love this next aspect: Wagler's versatility. He can lead at both point and shooting guard, showing his selfless side on the floor.
Does Wagler fit Nets?
Head coach Jordi Fernandez has a healthier Egor Demin for next season plus Nolan Traore.
But Wagler adds a versatile passer and shooter, plus can address PG depth in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn can have a PG option who can swing to SG if needed. The Nets could boast on of the more underrated and young backcourts next season.
He's worth getting if the Nets land at No. 5. Or even consider taking him higher at third overall if the Nets land there.
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