Certainly not Coney Island’s Isaiah Whitehead after the Brooklyn Nets drafted the former Lincoln High School star after acquiring the draft rights to him the Utah Jazz in the midnight hours.
Whitehead was the 42nd pick in the draft and in exchange for his services, the Nets parted with the draft rights to Marcus Page and cash considerations. Page was the 55th pick in the draft.
The news of Whitehead’s upcoming arrival will bring a lot of smiles to hoops fans all across the metropolitan area. The Brooklyn native had two spectacular seasons at Seton Hall where he averaged over 18 points per game and helped put the Pirates back on the map. Despite an early exit, Whitehead recently helped take the Hall to their first NCAA tournament in a decade.
“That’s everything,” Whitehead told reporters about playing for the Nets. “Just to be able to wear that Brooklyn uniform across my chest (is) an amazing accomplishment, and I can’t wait for it.”
Trading for Whitehead was just one of several moves that Nets GM Sean Marks made in the past two days in hopes of steering his franchise out of the doldrums. After making a significant trade just hours before Thursday night’s NBA Draft, the Nets added some much needed firepower with some young talent.
It was just hours before the draft on Thursday night, when Brooklyn made a trade with the Indiana Pacers, where they unloaded Thaddeus Young and acquired the 20th pick in the draft. Using that pick, the Nets selected Caris LaVert, a shooting guard hailing from the University of Michigan. While many were surprised with this pick, the Nets saw a lot of promise in the 6’7″ sharp shooter and they see a lot of potential in what the former Wolverine can bring to the table.
The draft selection of LaVert certainly had the critics chirping though, due to a perception that he is fragile and highly injury prone. After battling a leg injury over the last two years, including three surgeries, some have doubted LeVert’s readiness to play. However, he has assured the nay sayers that he is available immediately to get on the court and deliver. Apparently Sean Marks believed him.
Capping off their week on Friday, the Nets then inked a summer league deal with former Indiana Hoosier standout Yogi Ferrell. After not being selected in the draft, now Ferrell will have a chance to make it to the next level with Brooklyn. Summer league play will begin in Las Vegas in just a couple of weeks and with the Nets point guard situation very bleak, there is no doubt that Ferrell will have an opportunity to shine.
For most fans, the biggest news has been Sean Marks’ decision to trade Thaddeus Young. In a season where the Nets were one of the worst teams in the NBA winning just 21 games last season, Young was one of the lone bright spots. He played with tenacity and energy and found his way into the hearts of many Brooklynites. Since he has three years remaining on his contract though, Marks clearly thought that it was essential to get rid of Young’s contract and help free up even more cap space for the future.
Only time will tell how these recent roster shakeups will pan out, but there is no doubt that the Brooklyn Nets are ready to move forward and put the past in the rearview mirror where it belongs.
