Nets to pick at 29, 40 and 45 in Draft

Last July, the Nets had no picks — either round— in the 2018 NBA Draft. Their only hope for a pick rested on Indiana’s second rounder. If the Pacers didn’t make the playoffs, the Nets would get their pick. Looked good, too. Indiana had lost their best player, Paul George, and their return, Victor Oladipo, was okay, but fans wondered if he’d ever reach his potential.

After Friday’s tiebreakers at the NBA Board of Governors meeting Friday, Brooklyn controlled the 29th, 40th, and 46th picks, a first and two seconds. In a second round tiebreaker, the Nets got 45, the Rockets got 46.

The Nets acquired the 29th (the Raptors) and 40th pick (the Magic) picks from Toronto in the so-called salary dump for DeMarre Carroll. The Nets only had to give up Justin Hamilton, who the Raptors waived and then spent the season in China, not the NBA.

They added another pick at the deadline, trading Tyler Zeller to the Bucks for Rashad Vaughn and a second round Bucks pick that was, at that time, more likely to convey in 2020. Under terms of the deal, the Nets would get the second rounder this year only if it fell between 31 and 47. At the time, the pick was No. 52. Then, the Bucks grew more mediocre and about a month ago, it moved into the low 40s. So it conveyed to 2018.

The Nets will also have $5.1 million in cash considerations at the draft. That’s likely only enough to buy another second rounder. Might not be worth the expense.

And the Indiana pick?

The Pacers, the surprise team of the season, made the playoffs, so their second rounder stays in Indiana. In fact, with Indy’s solid young core, the Nets may not get that pick until 2023, when the protections are eliminated.

This, of course, is the last time the Nets will have to watch their lottery pick get used by another team. The Cavaliers have the pick and right now, it’s No. 8, subject to change on Lottery Night, May 15. No need to watch.