The challenge the Nets are facing with their huge draft haul
Share this @internewscast.com

Having five first-round picks is a First World problem.

But that doesn’t change the fact the Nets have a challenge in front of them: How to develop them all?

The Brooklyn Nets’ new draft class is meant to serve as the cornerstone for their rebuilding efforts. The challenge lies in how they can possibly ensure that all five players receive sufficient playing time, mentorship, and guidance to develop into the assets the team envisions them to be.

“That’s a good question,” remarked Jordi Fernández. “They will need to earn it, which is exactly how it should be. They’ll put in the effort. They’ve already demonstrated their potential, which is why we chose to draft them in the first place.”

“Then it’s going to be my decision to go and put five guys on the court, to have a 10-man rotation and go through the process.

That’s definitely on me. Player development is going to be important. We’ve been very diligent.

The coaching staff has done a great job making our guys work, and those guys have improved. And we believe [the draftees] will do the same thing.”

Those draftees are lottery pick Egor Demin, followed by Nolan Traoré, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf.

This draft included as many first-round picks as the Nets have selected in the last eight years combined, more than any team ever before in the NBA. There’s no existing strategy on how to develop so many players at once.

These are uncharted waters.

“Yeah, we never have three tables up here, so that shows you the size of the draft class, right?” GM Sean Marks said at Tuesday’s introductory news conference. “This is great. It was a unique opportunity for us, to be quite frank.

“We’ve never had five picks in one draft. To be able to draft all of them in a draft class we just saw, that was unique. That was something we want to take advantage of, especially in our build, where we see these young men fitting into our group and into our roster. So, it was about us capitalizing on the hand we were dealt.”

That hand was picks scattered throughout the first round.

Conventional wisdom was that the Nets would move up, but after seeing New Orleans have to surrender next year’s first-rounder just to move from No. 23 to 13, the cost proved prohibitive.

Instead, the Nets stood pat and took upside swings, banking on elite skill sets — size, passing, speed, athleticism, etc. — that could pay off, but only if they can fix glaring weaknesses, usually shooting. With so many pupils, the development staff will have its work cut out.

“The coaching staff, development staff’s proven that they’ve done a great job. And that gives me utmost confidence in developing these five guys,” Marks said. “If I don’t think we had that confidence in our staff, we probably wouldn’t have done it.”

None are being stashed, but several will spend at least some time with G-League Long Island, where Mfon Udofia has a track record of development.

“We’ll have to see how the season plays out and what minutes are there for everybody,” Marks said. “That’s what we want to see: These guys go compete. There’s no promises given to anybody, let alone the draft picks. … Go compete and may the best man win.”

“Summer League is important,” Traoré said. “Also, the preseason with the team after, getting to know everyone and making sure to know [everyone] basketball-wise. As a point guard, I’d say that it’s important to know these guys and know what they like and just start to build the team right away.”

Traoré is one of three primary ball handlers in this rookie class, all of them teenagers.

The Nets took Demin eighth, Traoré 19th and Saraf 26th, creating the risk of them figuratively cannibalizing each other and not reaching their potential.

“I think we’ll be playing several positions, so I don’t think it’s going to be a problem,” Saraf said. “I’m super excited to try to contact those guys. It’s going to be amazing.”

The Nets can only hope amazing in a good way.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NYC firefighter dies after battling all-hands blaze on Brooklyn rooftop

Tragic Loss: NYC Firefighter Succumbs After Combating Intense Brooklyn Rooftop Blaze

In a tragic turn of events, the Fire Department of the City…
Speaker of the Money: After 38 Years in Congress, Pelosi Stocks Up 16,930 Percent, Now Worth $280 Million

Speaker of the House Sees Wealth Surge: Nancy Pelosi’s Net Worth Climbs 16,930% Over 38-Year Congressional Career, Reaching $280 Million

Recent reports confirm that Nancy Pelosi, often referred to as “Speaker Emerita,”…
Four dead, at least 13 injured after speeding car crashes into crowd outside Florida bar

Tragic Collision in Florida: Speeding Car Leaves Four Dead, 13 Injured Outside Local Bar

A 22-year-old suspect, in a desperate attempt to evade law enforcement, allegedly…
Chicago shooting: 2 men shot, killed during jewelry store armed robbery on West 26th Street in Little Village, police say

Tragic Armed Robbery in Little Village: Two Lives Lost in West 26th Street Jewelry Store Shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — A tragic armed robbery on Saturday evening resulted in…
KFC, Popeyes, McDonald’s and more are celebrating National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day

Feast on Flavor: KFC, Popeyes, McDonald’s & More Roll Out Mouthwatering Deals for National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day

Looking to indulge in some delicious chicken without breaking the bank this…
'Unforeseen circumstances': Why Jimmy Kimmel's show was postponed Thursday

Unexpected Delay: The Real Reason Behind Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Postponement on Thursday

The taping of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” scheduled for Thursday was unexpectedly canceled,…

Heroic Kids Save Neighbor’s Life in Dramatic Indiana House Fire Rescue

In a heartwarming tale of bravery and community spirit, a group of…
Progress is the real patriotism: The next president outlines the mandate

Future-Focused Leadership: Next President Champions Progress as True Patriotism in National Mandate

In an exclusive look, the author has secured an advance copy of…
US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights largely due to government shutdown

Over 2,500 Weekend Flights Canceled as US Airlines Grapple with Government Shutdown Challenges

By Saturday evening, U.S. airlines had called off over 2,500 flights for…
ByHeart powdered infant formula recalled after 2 Illinois babies have botulism symptoms, Illinois Department of Public Health says

ByHeart Infant Formula Recall Initiated Following Botulism Concerns in Two Illinois Infants, Reports State Health Department

In a concerning development, the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued…
States are pushing for more scrutiny of antisemitism in schools

States Call for Increased Monitoring of Antisemitism in Educational Institutions

In the wake of the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas…
Three landscape supply employees gunned down in Texas shooting, police say

Tragic Texas Shooting Claims Lives of Three Landscape Supply Workers: A Community in Mourning

Three workers at a landscape supply company in Texas lost their lives…