REPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Look to Snag Draft Prospect Away From New York Knicks
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant warm up at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
The Brooklyn Nets – New York Knicks rivalry is one of the few crosstown rivalries in the NBA. While this was more intense earlier, in recent years, this rivalry has diluted.
However, new life was recently breathed into the feud after the Nets signed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Both of them had been on the Knicks’ radar for quite some time, and the Nets fished them out of nowhere.
After fighting for free agents, it looks like this battle is now going to be for a draft prospect. In the upcoming 2020 draft, Marc Berman of the New York Post believes both teams are looking to draft R.J Hampton.
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While the Knicks don’t want to draft him with their 8th overall pick, they want him with their 27th pick. But blocking them in the middle with the 19th pick are the Nets, who are also interested in him.
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Who is R.J. Hampton?
After being one of the highest-ranked high school prospects, Hampton chose to play overseas instead of going to college. He got a massive payday for playing in the NBL (National Basketball League) as he pocketed a cool $500,000.
Even before he made his debut, Hampton was ranked as a Top-5 prospect. But after a poor season in the NBL where he averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 40.7% shooting and 29.5% from 3, his stock has gone down.
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However, he has had impressive workouts and has garnered some interest from teams. He is one of the best athletes in the draft and has the potential to be an explosive two-way player. While he may struggle with shooting, he excels at getting past defenders and finishing at the rim.
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Should the Brooklyn Nets play party-poopers?
The Nets currently have Spencer Dinwiddie off the bench and adding another combo guard who can defend alongside him could work well. Despite Hampton not being a primary playmaker, he can learn a lot from coach Steve Nash, who is one of the best point guards the league has ever seen.
The NY Post also reported that Hampton and the Nets have been linked before. Hampton played for the New Zealand outfit in NBL and Nets GM Sean Marks is from New Zealand. So both parties already have a good relationship.
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After signing two of their marquee free agent targets in Free Agency, the Nets could now be on their way to draft a Knicks target this time.
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