MILWAUKEE — Brooklyn followers had anticipated Kevin Durant to guide their crew to its first ever NBA title.
Now, many are hoping to land an area prospect that their former star sees quite a lot of himself in.
When Brooklyn dedicated to a rebuild they wager an enormous a part of their future basis on subsequent June’s lottery decide, with Ace Bailey — a freshman at close by Rutgers — one of the sought-after prospects.
The sinewy ahead has typically been likened to Durant and the previous Internet agreed that it’s an apt comparability.
“Yeah, I think so,” Durant stated after guiding his Suns to a 110-100 Christmas Day victory over the Nuggets. “Ace is a pure, pure talent. Being able to shoot the ball with that type of touch from anywhere. It’s insane the shots that he can make over multiple people at that length. It’s incredible to watch.”
Durant was unimaginable to observe.
And Nets followers are hoping whoever they land within the lottery will probably be as properly.
Bailey could be one of many best-case situations.
The Corridor of Fame-bound Durant spent components of 4 seasons in Brooklyn, the primary recovering from a ruptured Achilles earlier than requesting a commerce to Phoenix halfway by way of the ultimate one.
He appeared in 129 video games with the franchise and averaged 29.0 factors, essentially the most in Nets historical past and his highest with any crew.
It was Durant’s February 2023 departure, much less so than that of James Harden or Kyrie Irving, that slammed the door shut on Brooklyn’s title hopes.
After floundering alongside final season, they lastly dedicated to a rebuild by buying and selling away Mikal Bridges this summer season.
Now, it’s a lottery decide subsequent summer season the Nets followers are already eyeing.
Two weeks in the past, that they had been sitting fifteenth within the draft order.
However after dealing level guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State — and coping with the absence of main scorer Cam Thomas — they entered Thursday night time’s recreation in Milwaukee with the seventh-worst report.
That gave them a 31.9 p.c likelihood at a top-four decide — the neighborhood they’ll must be in to have an opportunity at Bailey.
Durant even in contrast the Rutgers star favorably inside himself at 18-years-old.
“Him and his teammate Dylan Harper are playing some great ball. They’re one of my favorite teams to watch. But I see some of my game in Ace,” Durant stated. “I think he’s part of the midrange game. He’s probably a little bit more advanced than I was at that age. But he’s a problem. I can’t wait to see his career growth.”
Nets followers would love that to be with them.
Bailey is usually tabbed third in most mock drafts and massive boards, behind teammate Harper and presumptive prime decide Cooper Flagg from Duke.
A 6-foot-10 guard with a formidable wingspan, his size makes him virtually not possible to protect.
He’s averaging 17.6 factors and seven.6 rebounds with spectacular vary.
However his 33.3 p.c from deep wants work, as does his shot choice.
As Durant stated, the photographs he could make are “insane.” However he’s oozing potential.
And Brooklyn basic supervisor Sean Marks has personally made no fewer than 4 journeys down the New Jersey Turnpike to Piscataway.
With Bailey (and Harper) starring at Rutgers, and the Nets banking on June’s lottery decide as a basis of their rebuild, there will definitely be extra.
There may be one other connection between Durant and Bailey — mini-Durant? — with the veteran famous person having welcomed Bailey, Harper and two others into the Nike household with NIL offers final month.
Durant recorded a voiceover for a video, saying “They told me you’re part of the family now. Well, welcome. But y’all ain’t really showed me nothing yet. When it’s time, we raise the bar. We’ve got to provide. Wins. Dreams. Rings. Attitude. Something. There’s no free meals at our table. Ask the greats. This family ain’t for everyone. So let’s see what you got: I’ll be watching.”
