Last year was the year the Brooklyn Nets were supposed to pick a red rose from the garden in their backyard. With Dylan Harper tearing it up at Rutgers and Brooklyn simultaneously beginning its tank run, both parties seemed destined to align on Draft Night. Even his teammate, Ace Bailey, seemed like a storybook prospect for Brooklyn at times with his close proximity to the area. Hell, Sean Marks and B.J. Johnson visited the RAC more than 10 times!
However, and as we learned again last weekend, the
basketball gods are not enamored the Brooklyn Nets. Some might even say the gods have put a curse on them, a hex even more effective than Mr. Whammy’s. The gods gave Harper to a team that’s now had only two truly poor seasons in their last 30 years.
This year, the Nets have sixth overall pick. It’s two slots up from where they were last spring, but feels twice as disappointing with Houston owning swap rights to their first rounder in 2027.
It’s also likely outside the range where it would make sense for Brooklyn to take any prospects from any nearby teams. That said, Sean Marks and Johnson are still doing their due diligence locally.
This week, Brian Lewis reported that Nets and New York Knicks met St. John’s star Zuby Ejiofor. The versatile big quickly became a fan favorite in three year’s with the Red Storm and might’ve gained favor with NBA teams this week as well thanks to his pro-ready frame. Moreover, more than one mock draft has Brooklyn taking the Big East Player of the Year at No. 33 in the second round.
At the NBA Combine, Ejiofor measured out to 6’7.5” without shoes, 245 pounds and with a 7’2” wingspan measured…
Ejiofor also spoke with Lewis specifically about the possibility of continuing to playing in New York, either with the Nets or the Knicks.
“New York, obviously it’s a special place. I’ve got to grow a whole lot in the city of New York. And obviously I have a lot of love over there. So, obviously it’d be pretty special to be in a familiar area,” he said.
“If the opportunity happens, I’m more than excited to be there…It’d be a great experience. I spent my last three years in New York. I have a lot of love there in New York City. I’ve been away for a while, but I’m going back to New York on the 17th to walk for graduation. But, yeah, it will be a great experience if it happens. I’m going to be excited and my family is as well.”
The Knicks, it should be noted, have the 24th and 31st picks.
If Ejiofor stays in the Big Apple, Manhattan seems like the more likely borough for him. The Knicks picking at 24 this year, and pundits continue to mock him as a mid-to-late first rounder even with his noteworthy measurements.
That said, the idea of Brooklyn trading back or back into the first round can’t be discounted. The Nets have made a trade during or within 48 hours of the NBA Draft each of the last two years.
