The Nets had no plans to pass on Rodions Kurucs from FC Barcelona in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Rodions Kurucs goes No. 40 to the Nets pic.twitter.com/T9gojrxhYc
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) June 22, 2018
Rodions is a 6-foot, 9-inch wing who can develop into a productive player in the future. He does not possess the strongest frame but has very wide shoulders, which can guide his future body growth.
Sean Marks told media members that Kurucs plans to play for the Nets this season, whether that be in the G League or in the NBA. The Nets also scouted Kurucs last year as a potential first-round draft pick, according to Brian Lewis of the NY Post.
Rodions Kurucs had been linked with the #Nets for what seems like forever at pick No. 40. They liked him last year as a potential first-round pick.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 22, 2018
Kurucs spent the last year playing with Brooklyn’s 2017 second-round draft pick Aleksander Vezenkov in Barcelona, putting up 7.1 points per game in 15 minutes of play. His shooting numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, but he has a nice shooting stroke coupled with a quick first step and above-average athleticism, giving Brooklyn strong abilities to work with.
NBAdraft.net compares Kurucs’ game to Sam Dekker’s, a tall ball handler who can give spot-up shooting and effort on defense. He has good defensive instincts that can help when his body matures, and he has potential to be a good “three and D” guy, which is invaluable in this NBA.
Here are some of his highlights from this past season:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz2QPZW5X_k
The selection of Kurucs extended the trend of Brooklyn’s picks with European roots after drafting Dzanan Musa with the No. 29 pick. Brooklyn continued to draft Hamidou Diallo at No. 45, but that pick will go to the Charlotte Hornets in the Dwight Howard deal, and then the pick will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City has acquired Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo, league sources tell ESPN. Charlotte selected him with the 45th pick. Deal cannot be done until July 6.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2018
