2021 NBA Draft — 27. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Brooklyn Nets
Villanova is an assembly line of smart, plug-and-play prospects at this point, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is next in line. The 6-foot-9 forward is tailor-made for this Nets team — a versatile defender and selfless ball-mover who can hit spot-up 3s, attack closeouts, and do all the little things to help a team win.
The Nets thrived in the postseason without a true center, so I see no reason to panic-select one here. Blake Griffin and Nic Claxton are perfectly useful (assuming Griffin returns), while DeAndre Jordan can carry extra heft in the regular season. Robinson-Earl slides right into Brooklyn’s small, switch-happy groups, and should have no problem playing off of the Nets’ ball-dominant stars.
Brooklyn needs smart role players who do not command too much airspace. There’s no better fit at this point in the draft. So long as Brooklyn can stay healthy, they will enter next season as championship favorites. Robinson-Earl can contribute on a contender.