The Brooklyn Nets new regime decided to roll the dice on an injured prospect with a bright future. What should the team expect from Caris LeVert?
The Brooklyn Nets selected Caris LeVert with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 draft. He enters the league on the mend but has support and talent working in his favor.
The Nets drafted Michigan’s best player during the 2015-16 collegiate season. He averaged 16.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, which led the team in both categories. LeVert also nailed 44 percent of his three-pointers and 50 percent from the field in his senior year.
Related Story: Brooklyn Nets Select Michigan Caris LeVert 20th Overall
Why did he slip to No. 20 with top-10 statistics?
LeVert suffered consecutive season-ending injuries to the left foot and leg in his last two collegiate years. Before those ailments, he battled a stress fracture in the same foot, per Josh Riddell of Draft Express.
After three significant injuries, LeVert’s stock dipped below the top 10. Through interviews and an optimistic perspective, the 6’7”, 200-pound guard convinced the Nets to roll the dice on his rehabilitation process and talent.
Some Nets’ fans will roll their eyes at a player on the mend, especially one with foot issues as a prospective rookie.
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However, does anyone remember when Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant battled the same injury?
Probably not.
In fact, Durant reached out to LeVert to offer encouragement before draft night, per Shams Charania of The Vertical:
“Stay the course,” LeVert said Durant told him, “because once this rehab is over, you’ll forget all about it.”
It’s important to avoid going too far with comparisons between Durant and LeVert beyond the injury denominator and their shared orthopedic surgeon Martin O’Malley.
The rookie will likely play small forward, shooting guard or point guard once he’s ready to suit up, which should happen shortly. According to LeVert’s surgeon via Charania’s report, the Nets rookie should be available to practice mid-July.
Yes, it’s a huge gamble to draft a player who’s endured multiple surgeries on the same body part on a roster lacking overall talent, but LeVert is worth the risk. On paper, he’s a lottery pick who’s capable of upgrading the Nets at three different positions.
Based on his recovery outlook, he’s not going miss out on significant time during the offseason. He will have an opportunity to earn a spot in the Nets’ rotation as a rookie.
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With the current roster, LeVert should fit in as a two-way swingman who can defend multiple positions. If the surgeries haven’t sapped his quickness, he can move laterally to shadow point guards on the perimeter.
Due to LeVert’s ball-distributing skills, head coach Kenny Atkinson may experiment with placing him at point guard on the offensive end. He’s best comparable to Evan Turner with a better range on his shot, especially beyond the arc.
Marks didn’t start the draft with a safe pick, but he chose the best player available based on talent. In today’s NBA, it’s important to stock the roster with versatile players, and the Nets picked up solid a building block.