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.
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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 not trying to trade the pick in an effort to move up:
Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke
Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) drives to the basket against Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Knueppel, listed at 6-foot-6 and 217 pounds, projects to be the kind of player that will be a floor-spacer for whatever team he goes to given his ability to shoot the basketball during his freshman season at Duke. While Knueppel doesn’t seem like the kind of player that will be able to create shots for himself and others, his shooting ability is vital for any team looking for more shooting.
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Knueppel, whom Wasserman compares to Nets forward Cam Johnson, could be the kind of guy that allows Brooklyn to build around whoever comes to the roster that will have the ball in their hands, especially if Johnson ends up getting traded somewhere else this summer or during next season. As of this writing, Knueppel has a workout scheduled with the Nets to it seems like the team is doing its due diligence with him during the predraft process.
Wasserman writes:
“Every team figures to have some level of interest in Kon Knueppel’s shotmaking, efficient scoring and easy fit. The question is who’ll see upside through the athletic limitations. Viewed as a safe pick with a valued, bankable skill in shooting, Knueppel also flashed strong driving ability and high-level, ball-screen playmaking reads.”
Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Xavier guard Dailyn Swain (3) guards Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the second half of their first round NCAA men’ s basketball tournament game at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jovanny Hernandez/USA Today Network via Imagn Images
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.
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Wasserman compares Jakucionis to Chicago Bulls guard Coby White and the comparison makes sense when you consider that White had some of the similar questions coming into the league when it came to whether he could overcome his inability to create space on a consistent basis. 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 guard that poses constant matchup issues for opposing teams.
Wasserman writes:
“There is some divide among scouts trying to weigh Kasparas Jakucionis’ shotmaking skill and playmaking feel versus his lack of burst and separation ability. Top-10 teams may see too much risk, but later in the lottery, his positional size and shooting-passing combination should create enough translatable versatility.”
Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia
Feb 5, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) controls the ball against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Newell, listed at 6-foot-9 and 224 pounds, profiles to be the type of big man that can play power forward and center at the next level depending on the personnel around him. Newell did a little bit of everything for Georgia as while he was their best scorer around the basket and in the dunker spot, he also showed off his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter and make plays for his teammates.
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Newell, whom Wasserman compares to Memphis Grizzles forward Brandon Clarke, will probably be best hanging in the dunker spot on offense and operating in the pick-and-roll while defending the rim and switching on the defensive end of the floor. Newell shot just 29.2% from three-point land during his freshman season at Georgia, but his 74.8% free-throw percentage indicates that he could be a better shooter with more reps and specialized coaching.
Wasserman writes:
“Workouts will give Asa Newell a chance to further sell teams on his shooting, which could unlock a coveted archetype and higher level of upside. He was the only player in the country with 50 dunks and 25 threes, and certain teams will surely be drawn to adding a springy finishing weapon that can stretch the floor and move defensively.”
Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Mar 1, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Collin Murray-Boyles (30) celebrates a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
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.
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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.
Wasserman writes:
“Collin Murray-Boyles’ measurements lined up with South Carolina’s listing, the eye test and general expectations. He’s built different with a wing’s height and a big’s bulk and a 7’1″ wingspan. While he didn’t shoot the three-ball well in Chicago, he did look very comfortable with his mid-range touch. And that could be enough to unlock significant scoring ability when paired with his physicality around the basket and quick, decisive face-up game attacking in space.”
Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Mar 8, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) handles the ball against Northwestern Wildcats guard K.J. Windham (24) during the second half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
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.
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Queen is compared to Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun by Wasserman and it’s easy to see why with the way that Queen moves on the offensive end of the floor with some sneaky athleticism to boot. 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.
Wasserman writes:
“Derik Queen didn’t help himself at the NBA combine, registering the slowest sprint time since 2022 and ranking second-to-last in lane agility, shuttle run and both vertical jumps. That could sway top-10 teams to hesitate and allow a late-lottery team a chance to draft the highest-skilled true big man in the field.”
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets 2025 NBA draft big board 4.0: Best players at pick No. 8