Nets Trade Into NBA Draft, Land Guard Markel Brown, 2 Others
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Nets found a way into the NBA Draft after all.
Entering the night without any picks in the draft being held in their home arena, the Nets on Thursday night secured three second-round picks through trades.
The Nets sent the Timberwolves cash considerations to Minnesota in exchange for the 44th overall pick. Brooklyn landed Oklahoma State guard Markel Brown with the pick. The Timberwolves actually made the selection for the Nets because the trade still must be approved by the NBA.
Playing alongside Marcus Smart, who went with the No. 6 pick to Boston, Brown averaged 17.2 points last season at Oklahoma State, fifth in the Big 12.
"Brown boosted his stock over the last couple of years," CBS Sports college basketball writer Jeff Borzello wrote in Brown's draft bio. "His tremendous athleticism makes him an interesting prospect, and the improvement of his shooting could sneak him into the second round."
The Nets then struck again by dealing for the final two picks in the draft -- 59th overall from Toronto and 60th from San Antonio. Brooklyn, respectively, acquired the rights to San Diego State point guard Xavier Thames and Baylor power forward Cory Jefferson with those picks.
General manager Billy King said the Nets considered buying a first-round pick but that the cost was too high.
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