The Brooklyn Nets came away from the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with the eighth overall pick, something that the franchise was hoping wouldn’t happen heading into the event. However, Brooklyn went into the Lottery knowing that they could have come away from the Lottery with a less-than-ideal pick and now, they have to move forward with different plans for who to use that pick on.
The Nets had ideas of getting lucky enough to get the first overall pick, giving them the ability to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg, but that outcome did not come to fruition. Be that as it may, the 2025 class still has some players after Flagg that have the potential to become impact players at the next level and Brooklyn has to make sure that it does its homework.
This will be the first time since 2023 that the Nets will have multiple first-round picks in the same draft so they have a chance of adding multiple players that can fit into the framework of the team’s current rebuild. Here are five players that would be a good fit for Brooklyn at the eighth overall pick, assuming that they are unable to trade the pick in an effort to move up:
Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Maluach, listed at 7-foot-2 and 250 pounds, had a promising freshman season that rightfully made many around the NBA excited about what he could do at the next level thanks to his size and shot-blocking ability. Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 71.2% from the field and 76.6% from the free-throw line, but he had the worst game of his first season at Duke at the worst time.
Maluach, who Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman compares to Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, showed all of the weaknesses of his profile in the NCAA Semifinals against the Houston Cougars as he put up just six points and one block in 21 minutes played. Maluach disappeared against a physical, veteran Houston team and while Maluach showed plenty of promise that will not take him out of the top-10, the hope is that he wouldn’t have lows like that in the NBA.
NBA.com’s Ben Couch writes:
“Long, mobile and already a defensive deterrent. If the offense elevates beyond rim-rolling, opponents could be in trouble.”
Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Jakucionis, listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, could be attractive to the Nets on the basis of being a bigger guard that is able to handle the ball and make things happen for himself and his teammates. During his freshman season at Illinois, Jakucionis displayed his ability to play through contact and use his size to his advantage, especially in terms of scoring and passing.
Jakucionis, who Wasserman compares to Chicago Bulls guard Coby White, will eventually have to prove that he can effectively run an offense as the point guard or show enough versatility to be a combo guard. If Jakucionis is able to continue bulking up to the point that allows him to finish through contact at the rim better, he could be a player that poses constant matchup issues for opposing teams.
Couch writes:
“Dimes will be dropped, with the accuracy of his 3-pointer ultimately determining how much space he’ll have to operate.”
Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Queen, listed at 6-foot-10 and 246 pounds, showed plenty of promise towards the end of the NCAA regular season and boosted his stock significantly with what he did during conference tournament time and the NCAA Tournament. What would make a selection of Queen interesting is how the Nets foresee him fitting alongside starting center Nic Claxton, who will be entering the second year of his four-year, $97 million contract next season.
Queen, who Wasserman compares to Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, has plenty of tools in his arsenal when it comes to his ability to score, especially at the basket and through his face-up game in the post. However, it seems like Queen came away from the Combine with less regard for his skillset given the fact that his overall athleticism is worse in terms of numbers that it looks on tape.
Couch writes:
“Skilled and gifted with the ball in his hands, offense won’t ever be the issue if he’s given the reps to take the keys.”
Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles, listed at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, is one of the more interesting prospects in the Draft given that his position in the NBA will most likely have to be as an undersized power forward that has some issues shooting the ball from deep. What Murray-Boyles brings to the table on Day 1 is his ability to get into the paint and score at the rim through contact thanks to his frame and strength.
Murray-Boyles, who Wasserman compares to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, has a chance to be a really good NBA player if he is able to improve on his three-point shooting stroke enough to ensure that he can play next to a center that isn’t a shooter. From the beginning, it seems like Murray-Boyles will be able to contribute through his face-up game in the post and his ability to drive to the rim and finish through contact.
Couch writes:
“A stout defender who will need the size to play up (and the shot to fall) for his full potential to be achieved.”
Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
Bryant is an interesting prospect given that his profile is a guy with plenty of upside for what he can do at the next level while not being able to show much of that during his freshman season at Arizona. Bryant, listed at 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, appears to have the typical size and athleticism for a player who can make a career in the NBA as a wing who shoots threes and plays solid defense.
Bryant averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 46.0% from the field and 37.1% from three-point land in 37 games for the Wildcats. However, he started in just five of those games for Arizona and he played just 19.3 minutes per game, showing that while he has the profile to indicate he could be more in the NBA, he also didn’t play much for a Wildcats team that made it to the Sweet 16 before losing to the Duke Blue Devils.
Couch writes:
“The defense is there, but low usage leaves many questions about his offensive profile.”