The Brooklyn Nets, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in tow, are looking to take the next step in their bid for title contention. Though Durant hasn’t played a game next to Irving, the Nets have a master plan to win the East and lift an NBA title.
They have most of their pieces set in stone but lack a little more creation in the frontcourt. They have just traditional bigs outside of Kevin Durant, and then Taurean Prince playing the four, who really struggled in 2019/20.
20-year-old Jalen Smith out of Maryland could bolster the Nets frontcourt right away.
Smith is a six-foot-ten big man who shot over 36 percent from three in Maryland’s last college season.
He is stronger than his 225-pound frame suggests, and he has excellent touch at the rim.
He also plays hard on both ends of the floor. As a defender, he has great timing on his block attempts and is an excellent rebounder.
Though Smith struggles as a defender in space, if he worked on his body and got into an NBA strength program, he could potentially guard the pick and roll competently at an NBA level.
Though the Miami Heat are looking to contend right away, they should still try and get extra shooting and shot creation into their frontcourt. With Jimmy Butler, not a floor stretcher, and Bam Adebayo’s shooting still coming on, they could select Jaden McDaniels out of Washington.
McDaniels is a six-foot-nine forward who can create his own shot with a series of dribble moves and shifty footwork.
Though McDaniels is raw as an NBA prospect, his shooting ability is exceptional when considering he is just 19 and stands six-foot-nine.
Daniels can get his shot off in a variety of ways and displays Kevin Durant-like range.
The rest of his game isn’t very polished though. He is prone to turnovers, and because of his weak 200-pound frame, he struggles to finish through contact.
Though he is a plus shot blocker, his lack of strength means he gets pushed around by the smallest opponents and is incredibly foul-prone.
I would still select him if I were the Heat; their superior culture and player development could transform Smith into a plus player.