3 nightmare 2023 NBA Draft scenarios for Toronto Raptors fans
By Mike Luciano
2. Nets trade into the lottery.
Brooklyn has back-to-back first-round picks at No. 21 and No. 22 overall, thanks to the Kevin Durant trade. With the front office looking to make some moves as they look to build around Mikal Bridges and their current core, they could package those picks in an attempt to move up in the order.
Brooklyn has a need for a perimeter creator that can fit in alongside their armada of promising defensive wings. The Raptors could lose out on a player like Brice Sensabaugh (among others) if they let Brooklyn maneuver their way up into the lottery ahead of them.
The Brooklyn Nets could jump over the Toronto Raptors.
The Nets do have Nicolas Claxton, but they could also move up as they try to secure a long-term backup off the bench who can improve their lackluster interior game. Bigs like Dereck Lively II and Taylor Hendricks could be among those targeted by Brooklyn.
The Nets have received a few pieces of good news in the last few days, especially with the Bradley Beal trade potentially making many of their premium draft picks from Phoenix more valuable. Taking a player away from Toronto and keeping him in the division would be brutal.