Coming into this NBA draft, all the Nets chatter was about moving up or moving for Damian Lillard. The former didn’t happen, and the latter is up in the air.
The Nets stood pat, but are still convinced they got some values that fell in their lap.
They ended up taking Alabama’s Noah Clowney 21st overall and Duke’s Dariq Whitehead with the very next pick in the first round of the NBA draft Thursday night at Barclays Center.
For just the second time in general manager Sean Marks’ regime, the Nets didn’t make a move on or right before draft night.
But the Nets claim they got high-upside value picks.
“We’re thrilled with these young men that we get to add to our Nets family,” Marks said. “It’s just terrific. The upside of all of them, a couple of these guys are 18, so just thrilled to see where’s this guy going to be in two years, in three years.
“So, love what we saw scouting them, analytically they all looked great. So we’re thrilled.”
Clowney, a 6-foot-10, 210-pound forward from Alabama, will provide much-needed size.
The 18-year-old is also a switchable defender with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and down-the-road potential.
“Offensively I can bring a lot: spacing the floor, decision-making, a bunch of different things offensively,” Clowney said. “Defensively is where I hang my hat. Guard multiple positions, protect the rim, [I] do it all.
“From a mental standpoint, I do whatever I’m asked.”
Clowney averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds to help lead Alabama to SEC regular-season and tourney titles. He was reputed to be one of the prospects that Brooklyn had been trying to move up to land, but they stayed put and he fell in their laps.
“We didn’t see the need to do that,” Marks said. “As the draft unfolded, we’re very, very happy with how it how it played out.”
“I want to get better and perfect my game in every part possible,” Clowney said. “I want to be as versatile as I can be as far as dribbling, shooting, everything. I want to be able to pass well, because when you’re a good decision-maker that makes the game a whole lot easier. And defensively, I want to be a force. I want to be in conversations for Defensive Player of the Year awards.
“But truthfully, I want playoff runs. I want to win.”
Clowney, one of the youngest players in the draft, is a streaky 3-point shooter, but his defense is NBA-ready, so if he can hone his shot he will contribute early.
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He reminds many of Nic Claxton, the same way Whitehead a reminiscent of Caris LeVert.
“As a teammate, I’m encouraging but I don’t like to let people slide with less than what they’re capable of,” Clowney said. “I hold people accountable, and I hope others hold me accountable.”
One pick after Clowney, the Nets selected Whitehead, the youngest-ever Nets draft. He’s 18 and won’t turn 19 until Aug. 1. (Clowney will turn 19 on July 4.)
A mock draft by The Athletic, which had the Duke win 14th overall on its board, had him going to the Nets. He was a potential lottery pick before injuries hampered his lone year at Duke.
Whitehead, who is 6-6 , 217 pounds, was highly touted coming out of high school in 2022. He was named Mr. Basketball USA, Naismith Prep Player of the Year and the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP.
He slipped in the draft because of injury and recently had a second surgery on his right foot. It was performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley, the Nets’ specialist — much like LeVert — and that worked out for Marks and the Nets.
“We take best available. That’s how we look at this,” Marks said. “We felt very comfortable with Dariq, the person he is. We’re comfortable with his injury. We’re comfortable with bringing him back.
“Rewind a year, there’s a chance that he was probably a lottery pick. So in order to get a guy like that [to] fall to us, fantastic. We’ll take it.”
Whitehead is strong, a solid rebounder for his size, and a dangerous 3-point shooter. He hit .429 percent from deep at Duke, and is more explosive than he got to show for the Blue Devils. The Nets expect to get the fully healthy version.
The Nets have maintained legitimate interest in a potential trade for the Trail Blazers’ Damien Lillard, and the draft proceedings may have an impact on that chase.
Lillard, who didn’t want to be part of a rebuilding process, had made it clear that he wanted the Blazers to trade the No. 3 pick, but they used it on Scoot Henderson. The star hasn’t had any recent communication with the Portland involving the draft, free agency or his future, according to TNT and Bleacher Report.
Does that decision prompt Lillard to finally request a move? And if he hits the trade market, can Brooklyn make a compelling enough offer to get him?
The Nets took 22-year-old Kansas forward Jalen Wilson at No. 51 in the second round.
