A Royal Pain
Fansided

2017 NBA First Round Mock Draft 2.0

By Tyler Watts

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Duane Notice (10) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Duane Notice (10) in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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