Sports Illustrated: Shane Larkin
Vitals: PG, 20 years old, University of Miami, Sophomore, 6’0″.
Stats: 14.5 PPG, .479 FG%, .777% FT%, 3.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 0.1 BPG, 2.0 SPG, 2.3 TO, 36 MPG.
Larkin shot up mock drafts during the NCAA Tournament this past April. He’s a great ball handler and competitor with great range, something the Nets could definitely use. Touted as a pick-and-roll PG, Larkin could theoretically fill the backup role off the bench if C.J. Watson opts out of his contract. At workouts, Larkin has been wowing nearly everybody, particularly with his insane 44″ vertical.
From Sports Illustrated:
The Nets would love a big man like Gorgui Dieng to slip this far. Brooklyn has Deron Williams signed to a long-term contract at point guard, but Larkin is a quick, change-of-pace point guard who could be groomed to back up the three-time All-Star. Larkin is a phenomenal athlete — he topped the combine in the three-quarter-court sprint (3.08 seconds) and vertical leap (44 inches) — and an excellent ball handler who projects to play well in the pick-and-roll. He is one of several point guards who should be on the board here.
The downside: picking a PG seems to pose more problems than answers to the Nets’ current roster situation. Drafting Larkin would likely spell the end of Tyshawn Taylor’s brief time in Brooklyn. Why draft another PG when you haven’t even given the one you drafted last year a shot yet?
Of course, they could go bigger.
