Mock wrap-up: Aldridge thinks Nets may just opt out

The draftniks will still be updating their mock drafts right up to the moment Adam Silver walks to the stage at Barclays Center Thursday night, and the Nets will likely be trying to go higher right up to the last minute as well. But on the morning of the Draft, there's less unanimity on who the the Nets will pick and David Aldridge thinks they may just opt out of the first round entirely!

Aldridge writes the Nets are among teams who are looking to move their first-rounder, arguing "the Nets don't need to tie up money this late in the first on a guy that may not crack the rotation."  (The Nets dumped their first round pick on Draft Night 2004, claiming there wasn't a solid enough player at No. 22 and sold their pick for $3 million to Portland. Among those taken after No. 22: Tony Allen, Kevin Martin and Anderson Varejao.)

No other draftnik thinks the Nets will opt out of the first round. There's less unanimity on the pick than there was a few days ago when virtually all the big mocks had Brooklyn taking Chris McCullough.  Now, it's divided among McCullough, Delon Wright of Utah and Rozier. Here's the latest.

Jonathan Givony, Draft Express, Chris McCullough

While only 20 years old, Chris McCullough's career has been somewhat of a rollercoaster so far. Considered a top-10 recruit in his class early on in high school, his stock dramatically dropped among scouting services when his production failed to live up to his lofty potential, and concerns lingered about his lack of intensity and internal motivation.

Chad Ford, ESPN, Chris McCullogh

McCullough is widely regarded as a value pick in the late first round. Had he stayed in school, he could've been a lottery pick next year. He's athletic and versatile. He's just raw. The Blazers at No. 23, the Spurs at No. 26 and the Nets at No. 29 are good options. In fact, I continue to hear there is no way he falls past Brooklyn at No. 29.

Jeff Goodman, ESPN, Terry Rozier

Deron Williams isn't getting any younger, and while Rozier is still a work in progress at point guard, how many true floor leaders are there nowadays? Rozier can defend and also can get to the basket and finds ways to finish.

Aran Smith, NBADraft.net - Delon Wright

If you are looking for the secret of the Utah Utes first strong season in recent years look no further than this outstanding point guard ... After a summer in which he impressed many scouts at the LeBron James Skills Academy, Wright took his game to another level, taking his team to the Sweet 16 and establishing himself as one of the most entertaining and efficient guards in college basketball

David Aldridge, NBA.com, Terry Rozier (or opt out)

Another team looking to move its first-rounder, the Nets don't need to tie up money this late in the first on a guy that may not crack the rotation. Rozier played mainly shooting guard at Louisville, but he'll have to play some one in the NBA to stick. Don't think it will be for Brooklyn, but he has the talent to be in someone's rotation.

Stu Jackson, NBA TV, Chris McCullough

One of the more interesting stories of the draft, of the first round. Here's a young man who was a top 10 high school player but then fell off a little bit. Ends up a Syracuse. Shows some flashes for brilliance both offensely and defensively.  Then, his season was cut short by a knew injury. He's long, he's agile, he can play at both ends of the floor. Offensively, he's a slasher. Potential's there, he just hasn't put it together yet.

Kevin O'Connor, SB Nation, Chris McCullough

It's not a good feeling when you look in your wallet and see only loose change in there. That's how the Nets feel when they look at their future draft picks. McCullough might not be ready, but he has high upside and could've been a top 20 pick had he not torn his ACL. It's possible he'll give the Nets a greater return on their investment as a boom-or-bust pick.

Tim Bontemps, New York Post, Terry Rozier

If the Nets can find a way to move up, they would love to get their hands on one of the mid-first-round point guards, to get some more quickness and athleticism at the position. But with it seeming unlikely they have the ammo, Rozier best fits that profile among the options left at No. 29.


Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated, Jarrell Martin

Martin is an athletic forward prospect with a similar skill set to Thaddeus Young, the Nets forward who will be a free agent next month. Martin can face up, score off the dribble and run the floor. His post game is rudimentary at this point, but teams that have scouted Martin project him as a versatile role player who can provide instant offense to a second unit.

Garry Parrish, CBS Sports, Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville: Rozier was not a preseason All-American like his more celebrated teammate above. But he was Louisville's best player down the stretch. He should be able to get into the lane consistently at the NBA level.

Sean Deveney, Sporting News, Delon Wright

A lot of teams like Wright, and he could well go before this spot — Washington, Toronto, Dallas, Chicago and Portland will have interest. He is an accomplished scorer, but at age 23, will be a tough sell in terms of upside.

Michael Lee, Washington Post, Cliff Alexander

The Nets plan to keep Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young but it wouldn’t hurt to take a chance on a player who was once projected to be a lottery pick but slid after an NCAA investigation on illegal benefits.

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, Rakeem Christmas

At No. 29, the Brooklyn Nets take advantage of a draft process that values potential. Rakeem Christmas would likely be a lot higher on boards if he wasn’t 23 years old.

Christmas’ stock has risen following a breakout senior year and standout performance at the NBA combine.

Without any upside left to chase this late in the draft, look for the Nets to take a hard look at Christmas, who could be physically and fundamentally ready to contribute as a reserve.

Jordan Schultz, Huffington Post, Chris McCollough

Brooklyn takes a shot this late in the first with McCulough, who was having a productive freshman year before tearing his ACL in January. With range on his jumper, McCullough -- with his 7-foot-3 wingspan -- projects as a power forward. He will need to add strength to a lean frame, but the Nets get a really talented prospect from the Bronx.

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