30 Teams 30 Days New Jersey Draft Preview 21st

RealGM Article

30 Teams, 30 Days: New Jersey Draft Preview (21st)

Jun 17, 2008 4:21 PM

2007-2008 Finish: 34-48
2008 Draft Picks: 10th, 21st, 40th

Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Devin Harris
SG Vince Carter
SF Richard Jefferson
PF Nenad Krstic
C Josh Boone
Key Reserves:
PG Marcus Williams
PF Sean Williams
SG Maurice Ager

What the Nets Do Well:

The Nets have a very solid core. Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson are two of the best at their positions, especially in the East. Carter put up his standard 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game and remains one of the most talented players in the game. Jefferson led the team in scoring and had a bounce-back year after an injury-plagued 2006-07, averaging 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

Sean Williams had a strong rookie campaign when on the floor. His per-48 numbers of 15.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.98 blocks were alarmingly good for his sporadic time on the floor. Despite playing only 17.5 minutes per game, he still led the team with 1.45 blocks per game.

Devin Harris played well after coming over from the Mavericks. In his 25 games as a Net, he put up 15.4 points and 6.5 assists per game. He will grow nicely with his compliment of athletic players on the roster.

Josh Boone took a positive step forward this season, as well. He started 53 games during the season and averaged a healthy 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in only his second season as a 23-year old out of UConn.

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

A Big Man To Score Inside
The Nets have talent in the frontcourt, but no one who can score on the low block. Nenad Krstic, when healthy, is a talented mid-range scorer; Josh Boone has a limited offensive game down low; and Sean Williams is just beginning to tap his potential but isn?t ready to produce offensively. The Nets have a defensive machine in Williams, and adding a complimenting scoring big man would be an ideal fix for this current Net lineup.

Depth on the Wing
Sure, the Nets have VC and RJ on the wing, but behind those two All Stars the Nets have?Maurice Ager??? Yes, Ager was sweet at Michigan State, but he hasn?t done a thing in the NBA, yet. The Nets must use a pick in this Draft to select a wing player who can help provide depth for the team?s two stars.

Who?s Gone Number 21 Recently?

The past four players selected 21st overall have been dealt on Draft Day?will the Nets do it again this year? Early indications are anticipating they may package this pick with their earlier pick (number 10) in attempt to land a star player or move up in the Draft.

2007
Daequan Cook, Philadelphia 76ers (traded to Miami)

2006
Rajon Rondo, Phoenix Suns (traded to Boston)

2005
Nate Robinson, Phoenix Suns (traded to New York)

2004
Pavel Podkolzin, Utah Jazz (traded to Dallas)

2003
Boris Diaw, Atlanta Hawks

Who Should the Nets Target?

For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Nets should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.

- J.J. Hickson of N.C. State

Depending on whom the Nets pick up with the 10th pick in the Draft, they could still be looking for a big man to add to their low post game. Hickson has the toughness and strength that translates well into the NBA, and he should be able to make an impact where the Nets have recently been falling short.

- Brandon Rush of Kansas

Brandon Rush could step in immediately and be the guy who comes in off the bench to spell Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson. The multi-talented wing player from Kansas has the smarts and talent to play either position and would be another solid collegiate stud to add to their already deep young team.

- Alexis Ajinca of France

Ajinca might be a bit of a reach with a pick this early in the upper stages of the first round, but with Boone and Williams already in place and possibly another big taken with the 10th pick, maybe they can store Ajinca overseas and watch the extremely athletic 7-footer mature into a beast of a player for them to bring over in a couple of years.

Picks Over the Past Five Years

The Nets have taken plenty of project foreign-born players in the past five years but have finally stopped wasting their picks. The last two years they have selected very wisely deeper in the Draft and now are loaded with talent for the future in the frontcourt with Josh Boone and Sean Williams and in the backcourt with Marcus Williams.

2007
Sean Williams, 17th

2006
Marcus Williams, 22nd
Josh Boone, 23rd
Hassan Adams, 54th

2005
Antoine Wright, 15th
Mile Ilic, 43rd

2004
Victor Khryapa, 22nd
Christian Drejer, 52nd

2003
Zoran Planinic, 22nd
Kyle Korver, 51st

Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series

Whom do you want the Nets to draft at number 21? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

Tags: NBA

Share Tweet Discuss Feedback

Draft Report: Alexis Ajinca Of Hy?res-Toulon

30 Teams, 30 Days: Orlando Draft Preview