2012 NBA Draft: Who Would the Nets Target with the Retained Top-3 Pick?

Much has been made of the Nets' move to Brooklyn, keeping the public so caught up in the present that we seem to forget about the future. Beyond the logos, past the uniforms and even above the potential re-signing of Deron Williams is one night in June that could change the Nets forever...

The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery.

The Portland Trail Blazers currently possess a Top-Three protected draft choice from the Brooklyn Nets, dealt as an incentive (via ESPN), to land now free agent Gerald Wallace. Should the ping pong balls land in the Nets' favor, thus landing them a pick in the Top Three, the first round draft choice would be their own.

But who would they target?

An answer to that question and more is ahead in the following slides.

First Round, Pick 3: Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies

Player Traits: Center—18—6'11"—275 pounds—7'5" wingspan

Pros:

NBA body. Adequate height, weight and strength. Explosive leaper. Dominant shot-blocker and rebounder. Can be intimidating. Excellent on-ball, low-post defender. High basketball IQ. Massive wingspan. 

Cons:

Inconsistent motor. Settles for jump shots. Raw offensively. Lacks low-post offense. 

Why it Works:

This was as tough of a selection as you could make, but the final decision is one that does the most for the Nets as a team. 

I would have loved to place Thomas Robinson in this position, but I just couldn't do it; Brook Lopez has shown time after time that he's more fit for the four and simply can't cut it on D. Adding Andre Drummond, a local prospect, to the mix would kill two birds with one stone as the Nets improve their interior D and move Lopez to the four.

Again, this is painful to not place Robinson on the Nets' roster. He's a once-in-a-lifetime player who may emerge as this draft class's best player. Unfortunately, need outweighs talent in this situation and the Nets place Brook Lopez where he truly belongs. 

Season Averages: 22.15 PER—28.4 MPG—10.0 PPG—7.6 RPG—2.7 BPG

First Round, Pick 2: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats

Player Traits: Small Forward—18—6'7"—210 pounds—6'11" wingspan

Pros:

Elite athlete. Thrives in attacking the basket. Finishes as well as any prospect around the rim. Physical but quick. Top-tier defender who can handle multiple positions. Non-stop motor. Excellent off the dribble. Potential franchise player. 

Cons:

Offensive attack one-dimensional. Weak perimeter shooting. Mid-range game is shaky.

Season Averages: 21.94 PER—11.9 PPG—7.4 RPG—1.9 APG—1.0 SPG—0.9 BPG

First Round, Pick 1: Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats

Player Traits: Power Forward—19—6'10"—220 pounds—7'4" wingspan

Pros:

Best shot-blocking prospect since Dikembe Mutombo. Dominant rebounder. Handles the ball and runs the floor like a guard. Elite interior defender. Excellent footwork and positioning on both ends. Solid perimeter defender. Sky-high basketball IQ. Well-mannered and team-oriented player. One-of-a-kind NBA prospect. 

Cons:

Even the great ones have their flaws, and for Davis, it's his frame. He's a long, athletic player with adequate height, but lacks any muscle on his frame. Don't think he's weak down low, because he's not, but he definitely needs to bulk up to play in the NBA. 

Why It Works:

Did you actually expect the Nets to take anyone else?

With the franchise relocating and a new fanbase needing to be placated, there is no one better for business or performance than the consensus No. 1 draft choice: Anthony Davis of the Kentucky Wildcats.

And believe me, he will be worth the pick.

Fans have become jaded by the production of the LeBron James' and the pitfalls of the Greg Odens, but truly, a first overall draft choice isn't necessarily intended to be a star. Instead, this could pick could be utilized for a player that the franchise believe scan play in this league for a long time and contribute until their retiring day.

Davis is just that, as his worst case scenario would be a starter for years to come. His best case scenario, meanwhile, would be to become one of the league's elite big men. I'm voting for the latter.

Season Averages: 35.71 PER—14.2 PPG—10.4 RPG—1.3 APG—4.7 BPG—1.4 SPG