With the draft coming up next week, we will be taking a look at prospects the Nets might consider trading into the draft for.
Brooklyn does not have a pick in the draft but GM Billy King has said he is interested in trading for one if a player they like is available. Here is one player that could entice them to trade for a late first-round or second-round pick.
KYLE ANDERSON, F, UCLA
HEIGHT: 6-9
WEIGHT: 230
THE 411: Kyle Anderson, who played at St. Anthony and is from Fairview, N.J., is a skilled point-forward type who can play multiple positions. He’s a versatile talent who can handle the ball and has vision like a point guard. He is at his best when he has the ball in his hands, averaging 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals as a sophomore. He has a 7-3 wingspan, is an improved shooter and can rebound. Anderson is only 20 and still has a lot of room for improvement, especially on the defensive side. Anderson also isn’t super athletic or fast and has to get stronger.
FORD PROJECTION: According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, Anderson could be a late first-round pick. He currently has Anderson going 30th overall to the Spurs at the end of the first round.
FORD’S REPORT: The NBA GMs I spoke with here remain divided. They all agree that on the right team, in the right system, he could have success. But it's a gamble right now.
“Will an NBA head coach give him minutes given his defensive liabilities?" one GM said. "That's my first concern. And if he gets minutes, will an NBA coach put the ball in his hands, because that's when he's special. If he's just a power forward, there are much better prospects. I just don't know. I know he has as good of a feel for the game as anyone in this draft. Everything comes easy to him."
Look for Anderson's stock to continue to be all over the place. He could go anywhere from No. 14 to No. 30.
WHY SHOULD THE NETS TRADE TO PICK HIM: The Nets are bracing themselves for the strong possibility of losing 6-7 Shaun Livingston in free agency next month. Jason Kidd’s offense likes to exposes matchup problems. Kidd loved using Livingston’s height in the post over smaller point guards. Anderson may not be a true point but he can handle and has vision like a point guard and has the height and length to potentially give opponents problems. Kidd, who was a walking triple-double, might be able to develop Anderson’s versatile game. If Anderson slips, the Nets could look to see if there are any sellers late in the first round or early second round.