NBA Draft: Looking at Recent Players Selected With 10th Overall Pick
By Wes Goldberg
2008: Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets (Now Brooklyn Nets)
Mar 18, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) works against Cleveland Cavaliers center
Timofey Mozgov(20) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Sub-par on defense but very capable on offense, Brook Lopez is expected to sign a max-deal this summer. He’s one of the more interesting assets in the league. He struggles with injury issues but, when he plays, can be the center piece or, at least, a secondary option of an offense.
Lopez leaped onto the scene as an immediate contributor, averaging 13 points and 8.1 rebounds a game as a rookie. He’s had two seasons in which he’s averaged at least 20 points and, most recently, averaged 17.2 and 7.4.
Where the Heat pick at 10, there should be a few bigs available. Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminski and Texas’ Myles Turner could both help teams instantly, like Lopez, because of their jumpers.