I will always appreciate writing for NetsDaily. There are nearly 600 comments on Friday’s article, where I reported the league-wide consensus that the Brooklyn Nets have interest in Tennessee’s Nate Ament, whether at the #6 spot or in a trade-down. Thank you all for the engagement and consistent readership; I don’t even remember the Nets playing in the NBA Finals, and yet, my fandom-turned-coverage of the team has, somehow, been as rewarding as it has been tormenting, thanks to the people who visit
this site regularly.
So let’s just clarify a couple things about that report. I am not reporting that it is “likely” that the Nets take Ament, but rather, that is what people around the league believe. Brian Lewis of the New York Post, ever a trustworthy reporter, says that Ament hasn’t even been in for a workout…
I personally doubt it’s “likely” the Nets take anybody at this juncture, over a fortnight before the NBA Draft, though their interest in Ament certainly seems legit. The noise, though, is undeniable. No prospect is linked to Brooklyn more often — it’s not even close.
And again, part of that comes from Brooklyn’s recent draft history. But just because it seems like the Nets would take Ament at #6 — after Egor Dëmin, everybody now knows this front office isn’t afraid to “reach” in the lottery — doesn’t actually make it more likely.
Perhaps the Nets are preying on their rivals’ preconceived notions to create some smoke, maybe they’re doing their best to facilitate a trade-down, who knows? For what it’s worth, major sportsbooks still don’t think Ament is “likely” to go at #6, though the odds are climbing. On Kalshi (sorry), Ament’s odds of being drafted at #6 overall have jumped from 4% to 17% in the past week, but that’s still lower than Mikel Brown Jr. and Darius Acuff.
In any case, there’s enough smoke to strongly consider Ament’s strengths and weaknesses, even if Brooklyn doesn’t trade down, which would have seemed unthinkable a couple weeks ago. He was not good at Tennessee in his freshman year, and to discuss his talents further, I held a brief Q&A with NBA Draft analyst Ben Pfeifer.
Benny Pfeif is a friend of mine and a tremendous tape-eater; no analyst has a crystal ball, but he’s demonstrated the value of his opinion many times over…
His social media is, obviously, linked in that post above, and I’ll link his YouTube channel here. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Q: Nate Ament was the #4 high school prospect in the country upon graduation. What to that point made him such an exciting prospect. What, for lack of better wording, was the high-end sell?
A: Nate Ament looked to join the long line of tall wings oozing shotmaking talent and theoretical upside that the NBA typically covets. Ament coupled his 6’10” frame with dynamic on and off-ball shooting from beyond and inside the arc, some basic ball skills and impressive defensive versatility, especially on the ball. His prospect profile sat clearly below the level of Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa but the promise of a 3-and-D plus wing with latent on-ball creation enticed evaluators (myself included).
Q: Let’s break his NCAA season down into parts — how good of an outside shooter is he, really? 33.3% from deep, 37.3% on long twos, 79% from the line isn’t terrible, but that’s not the profile of a sniper. I know it’s just one season of college data, but what level of shooter do you think we’re really talking about here?
A: While Ament’s shooting profile is indeed solid, his 3-point volume, efficiency and free-throw numbers all dipped from his final AAU season (and his most recent reliable pre-NCAA dataset). He traded some of those outside shots for mid-range jumpers, which contributed to some volume deflation from 3-point range, but <8 threes per 100 possession is undeniably disappointing for a prospect with shooting as a primary sell. Plenty of prospects with similar shooting profiles have developed into effective NBA shooters, but they rarely become truly elite outside of fringe cases like Kawhi Leonard. Ament’s mid-range off-the-dribble shotmaking and flashes of movement shooting are enticing, but I view Ament as a good-to-great outside shooter rather than a game-changing one.
Q: Let’s get to the main reason most draft nerds don’t have Ament in the lottery. He shot 43% from two this season, and under 40% from two against top 100 teams. What the hell is going on there? Can we blame Tennessee’s offensive environment, does he just not have wiggle/explosiveness? How does that happen?
A: Since 2008, 11 drafted college players 6’7” or taller logged a career 2-point percentage under 45%, according to Bart Torvik. The best of these players is Jaden McDaniels, who still isn’t a scoring ace after tons of offensive development. Jabari Smith (an apt comparison for Ament, IMO) is there too, but the rest of the list consists of the Cam Reddishes, Ziaire Williamses, and Brandon Bostons of the world. It’s an undeniably concerning indicator and speaks to Ament’s lack of burst, ball-handling chops and standout contested touch.
He’s a far better foul-drawer and strength creator than in high school, but notable strength gains zapped much of the mobility he previously relied on to outmaneuver defenders with the ball. Tennessee’s spacing and supporting cast weren’t pristine by any means and and Ament occasionally flashed effective driving and finishing off two feet with a runway. Maybe he leans into the strength creation, adds a ton of muscle and takes the bully route, but it will be a tight needle to thread regardless on the path to efficient NBA scoring, especially with any on-ball creation involved.
Q: Penultimate question: What are his most enticing secondary skills? Plus-rebounder? Rim protector/switchy? Secret passing guru despite a 1.0 assist:turnover? In other words, when the ball ain’t going in, what are you most confident he’ll contribute to an NBA team?
A: Based on my pre-college expectations, Ament’s defense significantly disappointed this past season. The aforementioned muscle gain and lessened mobility really hurt his defense, especially moving in space and making plays as a helper. At his best, Ament should develop into a fine defender, but he lacks high-end traits and feel on that end (and on offense). His off-ball lapses and technical worries aren’t as concerning as his frequently poor instincts, awareness and change of direction on closeouts and long rotations.
He’ll occasionally flash as a help-side shot blocker, but those moments were few and far between. Ament is one of the class’s least threatening playmakers, often struggling to convert easy reads in favor of tough off-dribble jumpers. He’ll high point some rebounds and his cleanest path to ancillary value comes from being extremely large and (hopefully) positioning himself well, but it’s unfortunately bleak projecting any non-scoring facets of his game to impact winning at a playoff level.
Q: Well, this has been kinda depressing, but let’s ask the big question(s) now. Assuming their interest is real, what do you think Brooklyn sees in him, like what’s the high-end scenario? Lastly, let’s say they take him at #6. Is that fine? Crazy?
A: Viewing Ament’s projection through the rosiest lens possible could lead one to value him near the top of a loaded draft class, especially if said person really values physical traits and shotmaking. Maybe the Tennessee context cloaked his true offensive self, and NBA spacing/movement unlock his game. Even for players without standout feel, ball handling or defensive chops, there’s value in sheer size and scoring, especially in certain postseason matchups. If Ament fleshes out his strength creation and becomes a high-level contested shotmaker, it’s possible he’d fit in as a stabilizing force with the size to add value on the defensive end.
However, that outcome sits at the tail end of Ament’s range and even if a player of the Tobias Harris/Jabari Smith progeny isn’t a terrible result for a top-6 pick, it’s a bleak one in a draft as loaded as 2026. In 2025, Brooklyn drafted a smattering of future complementary pieces, and that’s what Ament projects as. Maybe the Nets view themselves as such a marquee free agent/trade destination that they’ll intentionally eschew high-end star swings like Mikel Brown Jr., Aday Mara, or Kingston Flemings for better roster/size fits. But if Ament is Brooklyn’s sixth pick, it would be an undeniably disappointing selection with potentially damaging long-term ramifications. For your sake (Lucas and his lovely readers), let’s hope this is just typical draft season smoke and mirrors.
Again, another thanks to Mr. Pfeifer for his time and words. He also made this comprehensive video on Ament a couple days ago…
Again, the NBA Draft beings on June 23rd at 8:00 p.m. ET. Until then, get ready way more rumors, analysis, and everything in between.
