Nets 2025 NBA draft big board 2.0: Best fits at pick No. 8

Yahoo

21-05-2025

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:
Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) passes the ball against the Colorado State Rams in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-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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If the Nets are looking for a big man to add to the rotation for next season, the decision for Brooklyn at this spot would be between Queen and possibly Duke center Khaman Maluach, if he remains on the board. Queen's appeal at this point in the predraft process is what his offensive game could look like at the next level, even though any team that drafts him would have to be willing to build around his defensive limitations if he is going to play center full-time at the next level.
"I don't think that Derik Queen is the best big in the draft. That's basically the argument, he is also going to be 21 during his rookie season. He's a grown man out there. Yeah, he's the safe pick –polished, strong in the post, but doesn't have a ton of upside," a scout told HoopsHype on Queen, per Cyro Asseo de Choch.
Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) dunks the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson (4) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
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.
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In the National Semi-finals against the Houston Cougars, Maluach showed all of the weaknesses of his profile 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.
"Maluach is raw but huge and super athletic. Hands aren't great, though. One guy I know called him a lankier DeAndre Jordan. But maybe Rudy Gobert's hands? Yeah, and not the same instincts as Gobert. DJ was also underrated in terms of feel. And Maluach isn't some elite rim protector. I see the appeal, but he has a ways to go. Starting center? Probably. Star? I'm not sold," a scout told HoopsHype, per Asseo de Choch.
Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Feb 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) shoots the ball over UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Jakucionis, listed at 6-foot-6 and 200 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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Jakucionis' positional size is intriguing given that most teams would love to have a point guard that can see over any defender while forcing opposing teams to employ different defensive strategies to counter what bigger point guards tend to offer. Jakucionis carried a heavy load for Illinois, but it's fair to wonder if he can do the same thing at the next level with some of his physical attributes being around average.
"Kasparas has the vision, but the assist-to-turnover ratio's rough. Secondary creator at best – not a franchise PG. I don't love that comp to Tyrese Haliburton. Tyrese's assist-to-turnover ratio was elite. Jakucionis has issues there. He's more of a secondary creator. Tyrese was 9.3 assists to 1.6 TOs after his first 25 games that rookie year. Jakucionis is nowhere near that," a scout told HoopsHype, per Asseo de Choch.
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 has caught the eyes of many thanks to his physical style of play that looks like it would translate easily to the next level as people envision him getting to the basket and in the paint at will. However, Murray-Boyles' size suggest that he would be a big small forward or a small power forward and if he can't shoot better than 26.5% from three-point land, it will be tough to see him on an NBA floor as anything other than a micro-ball center.
"I don't like his game at all. The fact that people even think he's going to be a lottery pick is crazy. He can't even play the three – he moves slowly. And sure, he's a great defender, but honestly, Grant Williams had more offensive talent coming out of college than this guy," a scout told HoopsHype, per Asseo de Choch.
Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
Mar 23, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) dribbles defended by New Mexico Lobos forward Atiki Ally Atiki (6) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Richardson, listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, made his way up the draft boards with the way that he played once he entered the starting lineup for Tom Izzo's Spartans. Once February came around, Richardson averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 48.6% from the field and 35.6% from three-point land while playing 28.2 minutes per contest.
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Richardson's physical profile suggests that his best position would be at point guard, but it's clear that his game leans more into that of a scorer than a facilitator so his fit in the NBA will determine how his game translates. For a team like the Nets, Richardson would be able to find his role at the next level while also providing the team with another guard who can get his own shot anytime he wants, similar to restricted free-agent Cam Thomas.
"Because of his dad he is a coach's kid who plays with that veteran savvy. Not the biggest or most athletic but always in the right spot defensively. Developing into a reliable catch-and-shoot threat. Floor is high as a rotation piece – think a smaller Donte DiVincenzo with better playmaking," an assistant coach told HoopsHype, per Asseo de Choch.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets 2025 NBA draft big board 2.0: Best fits at pick No. 8