Additionally, there are murmurs that Brooklyn might be interested in trading up to snag a higher pick by combining their two first-round selections with a player like Dorian Finney Smith or Royce O’Neill. What their next NBA season will look like will depend heavily on what they can do in this Draft.
Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors
There are rumors circulating that Brooklyn is looking to trade away their 21st and 22nd picks in this year’s first round. It’s been said that Finney-Smith might be one of the players they are willing to let go. These rumors aren’t new, as Finney-Smith was also rumored to be traded last season along with Royce O’Neill. There’s also speculation that O’Neill could be included in a potential package deal.
Brooklyn Nets 2023 NBA Draft Notes
Brooklyn has two first-round selections in this draft. While Brooklyn may want to move up in the draft via a trade, it may not happen, and they’ll have the No. 21 and No. 22 picks to work with.
Notable NBA players drafted at No. 21 include Tyrese Maxey, Grayson Allen, Rajon Rondo, Boris Diaw, Darren Collison, and Ryan Anderson.
Notable players taken with the 22nd pick include Bobby Portis, Jarret Allen, Courtney Lee, and Jared Dudley.
Here are some of the players that the Nets could target in the 2023 NBA Draft:
- Drew Timme (Gonzaga): Timme is a 6’10 big man who scores from anywhere inside the arc but isn’t a good shooter from beyond the arc. Timme averaged 21.2 points with 7.5 caroms and 3.2 assists last season for Gonzaga, but his lack of a three-point shot and questionable athleticism might lead Brooklyn to choose someone else.
- Jett Howard (Michigan): Howard bolted from Michigan after his freshman season, and the 6’8 swingman has the length and basketball IQ to make him a solid pick for the Nets. Howard can shoot it from anywhere and averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 caroms, and a pair of assists last season for the Wolverines.
- Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara): Podziemski is a combo guard who can light it up from downtown and shot 48% from the field during his final season at Santa Clara. Podziemski averaged 19.9 points with 8.8 boards and 3.7 assists for the Broncos and projects to be a shooting guard who can facilitate from the point guard position.
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper: (Marquette) Prosper is probably one of if not the physically strongest players in the draft. At 6 ‘8, he lists as a small forward who is terrific from inside the arc and shot 33% from downtown during his final season at Marquette. Prosper averaged 12.5 points with 4.7 rebounds for the Golden Eagles in 2023.
The 2023 NBA Draft will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Draft begins at 8:00 pm, with the first-round being televised on ABC/ESPN. The entire second round will be aired by ESPN immediately after the first round has ended.
