Nets Draft Day: Brooklyn’s new sharp knifeman!

At the 2025 draft, the Nets selected Drake Powell, a winger from the University of North Carolina, with a seemingly ordinary draft pick. Compared with popular rookies like Flag and Harper, Powell is not a very amazing player. Even in many previous draft simulation lists, his name was basically on the edge of the second round.

But if you really pay attention to the young player's growth path, this choice is definitely worth watching.

In today's NBA size, the value of various teams to wing players is gradually increasing. Whether it is to open up offensive space or to assist defense and sweep, they can switch positions at any time at the offense and defense ends and create positive value without taking up too much ball rights. This is the puzzle value brought by high-quality wings.

For Drake Powell, he may not be a representative of future star players, but judging from the content of the pre-draft game, this rookie is very likely to become the most trustworthy cornerstone of the champion team.

Looking back at the chaotic transition period of the Nets' bad performance in recent years, from the one-night fall of the Big Three era to the restructuring of the young lineup, this young Nets need to be able to stabilize the team's defense in advance before strengthening the core stars. Before that, they naturally need to recruit some puzzle sharp knives with growth potential, and Drake Powell is most likely like this.

Return to Powell's career trajectory, the swingman was born in September 2006 from Pittsborough, North Carolina, a small town with a population of less than 5,000. Compared with other regions, Pittsborough is not a hot basketball zone, nor is there any legendary senior stars. But it was in such an unpopular place that Powell finally stepped onto the highest basketball stage step by step with his diligence and self-pursuing.

When he came to high school, Powell chose to attend Northwood High School. Relying on his excellent defense and off-ball ability, Powell quickly stood out on the varsity team. In the 2022-23 season, Powell averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Although he is not the kind of five-star high school student who can see his talent at a glance, his ability gradually began to spread between the leagues, and soon attracted the attention of North Carolina coach Hubert Davis.

No surprise, Powell successfully chose to study at the University of North Carolina. In such a prestigious basketball school, Powell did not become the team's main scoring force in his freshman season, and his value was more reflected in the defensive end.

Offensive end, Powell's personal scoring data is not outstanding, but his positive and negative values ​​and defensive efficiency have always been at the forefront of the team, which is an indispensable key link for the team. More importantly, Powell gradually improved his three-point shooting and athletic ability in such a high-pressure competitive environment, and this growth progress also laid the foundation for his future draft and NBA career.

As for the defensive part, Powell was able to limit his opponent's shooting percentage to 37.2% during the NCAA period, and his defensive efficiency dropped by 8.3%. His outstanding height and wingspan conditions in the same position, coupled with his excellent defensive rotation awareness, make him a super weapon for pick-and-roll switches and weak side sweeping.

Although the steals and blocking data are average, his defense focus is on destroying the opponent's offensive rhythm and tandem vision, relying on defensive position and wingspan interference. This stealth defense value is precisely the increasingly valued part of the league today.

From the perspective of the Nets, they traded defensive players such as Bridges and Reus O'Neal in the summer of 2024. Their subsequent defense mainly relies on young players such as Cameron Johnson, Zhaile Williams, Mann, and Keane Johnson, but the overall defense stability is insufficient. The team's wing defense urgently needs a moment of reshaping.

Judging from the data of the NBA official website, Powell is 196 tall, with an arm span of nearly 213, and has the ability to defend multiple positions. The value of switching to defense and assisting defense is quite obvious, which is quite in line with the Nets' tactical needs for high-intensity defensive rotation. And if he can integrate into the team's space tactics with off-ball running and empty cut in the offense, while maintaining an increase in three-point shooting percentage, he is fully expected to become the standard 3D wing in the future.

Overall, Powell has the opportunity to play the main force in the substitute defense, strengthen the depth of defensive rotation, and expand his offensive role, becoming an important young pillar of the Nets' defense line. Judging from the existing data and game content, Drake Powell's future growth template can be referred to as the following people:

Micar Bridges: Both are defensive rotation wings, both good at multi-position defense and off-ball running. Although Bridges is slightly better at the three-point threat, this is also the direction Powell hopes to catch up in the future.

PJ-Tuck: As a forward known for his defensive strength, Tucker was not a highlight star in his early career, but he still became an important rotation by relying on defense and team cooperation. If Powell can improve his offense, he will have a chance to be more comprehensive than Tucker.

Klay Thompson: This should be Powell's highest template. Although it is a little difficult to reach Clay's level, the value and tactical execution of the defensive end are the best goals that this newcomer deserves to learn from.

It is obvious that for Powell, his growth route is likely to start with defensive experts, gradually stabilize his shooting ability, and gradually advance to the league's 3D core; of course, this part also requires the team and coaching team to design exclusive tactics around him.

Considering that the Nets are currently in the stage of reconstruction and adjustment, the biggest challenge for the team is how to integrate young talent resources, gradually reshape the basic competition, and wait for the joining of superstars.

As a young puzzle with defensive potential, Powell is still a candidate who is quite in line with the team's pursuit of defensive goals.