NBA Draft 2018: Nets take Dzanan Musa at No. 29
By Ian Levy
The Brooklyn Nets have added scoring chops with the selection of wing Dzanan Musa at pick No. 29 in the NBA Draft.
The Brooklyn Nets have done well with late-round picks over the past few years, finding Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert. They may have found themselves another gem this season with the selection of Dzanan Musa.
Musa is a 6-foot-8 Bosnian forward who has spend the last few seasons playing for Cedevita of the Adriatic League. He also had a chance to show out for the team in some Eurocup games this season, proving that his scoring potential could translate to a slightly higher level of competition.
Scoring is absolutely what Musa does best. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot perimeter threat, but is adept at creating his own shot off the dribble and finishing inside the arc with his solid pull-up jumper or craft moves around the basket. He’ll need to continue to build strength to help that finishing ability translate to the NBA but he has a solid skill base as a scorer and he’s certainly not lack for confidence. He’ll also need to do some refinement on his outside shot to become consistent. His motion is beautiful, the results haven’t always been. His defense needs work but his size helps create some baked-in versatility.
The Nets have plenty of solid pieces but are still working to build out their roster. Players like LeVert, Hollis-Jefferson, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen all look like very solid complementary pieces but they’re still lacking the star to hold the roster together, particularly on offense. Musa is probably not that kind of player, even at his ceiling, but he’s another useful piece — the kind of guy who could work in a starting lineup as a secondary creator or as a microwave scorer off the bench.