22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- Bam Adebayo- C- Kentucky
Pick 22 is the first of two Brooklyn Nets first round picks in this draft. The Nets had the worst record in the NBA last season. They have made some poor roster moves, and this looks like a team destined to struggle for a few seasons to come.
The Nets need talent so expect them to shoot for a high upside player with both selections.
Why Bam Adebayo?
Edrice “Bam” Adebayo is the type of player the Nets should be targeting. Adebayo is a raw talent, but profiles as a good defensive center who can score around the basket. He needs time to develop, but if Brooklyn can harness his talents the potential is there for him to be a starting caliber player in the NBA. Shoot for a young kid with upside Brooklyn and hope you can develop the player.
Things that separate Adebayo from the other available big men are his athleticism and the recent history of Kentucky big men. His athleticism jumps out after watching for a few seconds, and it gives the Nets an excellent jumping off point for a raw talent. Recent one and done Kentucky big men thriving in the NBA include Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel, and Anthony Davis, a solid group. Throw in the two Sacramento big men who played well after the DeMarcus Cousins trade in Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere and Kentucky has produced a load of successful NBA big men in recent seasons. I think that bodes well for Adebayo in saying that Coach Calipari knows how to pick dedicated big men who want to be great.