The Nets need more offensive firepower on the perimeter and Brice Sensabaugh could be just what the doctor ordered. He was a prolific 3-point shooter for the Buckeyes and one of the best difficult shot-makers in college basketball. His lackluster frame, lack of position defensively, and reliance on contested jumpers is cause for concern, but there simply aren’t many teenagers putting the ball through the net as prolifically as Sensabaugh.
The Nets take the plunge on Dariq Whitehead, a top-10 recruit who struggled to overcome injuries at Duke. Once a prolific high school scorer, Whitehead couldn’t get consistent elevation around the rim and struggled to consistently break down his man off the dribble at Duke. What he did do, however, was shoot over 40 percent from 3. The upside with improved health, plus the evident scalability of his skill set, makes Whitehead a potential steal in the 20s.
The Blazers need frontcourt help with Jusuf Nurkic on the decline and Jerami Grant entering free agency. Dereck Lively is a potential solution at center — a monster athlete who looms large in the paint defensively. His rapid in-season improvement at Duke should make the Blazers believers in his long-term potential.
The Kings struck gold with Keegan Murray in the No. 4 spot last draft cycle, adding the greatest rookie shooter in NBA history. Kris Murray doesn’t quite reach his twin brother’s heights offensively, but he’s another player with size and shooting for the Kings’ impressive collection of role players.
Injuries have ravaged the Memphis frontcourt this season. James Nnaji might be the most physically imposing player in the draft, standing 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 250 pounds of muscle. He has played sparsely for Barcelona, a top club in Europe, but the upside as a rim protector and lob threat is evident every time he’s on the floor.