Ultimate Upside Comparison: Antawn Jamison
Safe Upside Comparison: Tobias Harris
Position: Forward
Age: 20 (4/30/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.75″, 222 pounds, 6’11”
2016-17 Slash Line: .617/.466/.679
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.9 MPG, 16.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.8 3PM
Regardless of what the Brooklyn Nets attempt to do at No. 22 overall, talent is desperately needed. Brooklyn has been stripped of what would have been Top 3 picks for two consecutive seasons thanks to the worst trade in NBA history.
As the Nets look for players who have high ceilings, the search should begin with UCLA Bruins hybrid forward TJ Leaf.
Leaf is projected to play power forward at the next level, and his ability to do so would be in line with the modernization of the Nets. He has a superb offensive skill set and the fluid athleticism to support his work as a perimeter or interior-based player.
There’s reasonable skepticism about his level of defensive proficiency, but the Nets can coach Leaf and trust Kenny Atkinson to work his player development magic.
Offensively, Leaf can take his man off the bounce and finish in the paint with finesse or power. He has a respectable outside shot, as well, and flashed the ability to be a skilled and dynamic threat in the low, mid, and high post areas.
The New York Knicks may not want to see the Nets improve, but picks like Leaf could help Brooklyn build towards being a healthy organization again.