Kevin Durant raves about potential Nets draft target Ace Bailey
MILWAUKEE — Brooklyn fans had expected Kevin Durant to lead their team to its first ever NBA title.
Now, many are hoping to land a local prospect that their former star sees a lot of himself in.
When Brooklyn committed to a rebuild they bet a big part of their future foundation on next June’s lottery pick, with Ace Bailey — a freshman at nearby Rutgers — one of the most sought-after prospects.
The sinewy forward has often been likened to Durant and the former Net agreed that it’s an apt comparison.
“Yeah, I think so,” Durant said after guiding his Suns to a 110-100 Christmas Day victory over the Nuggets. “Ace is a pure, pure talent. Being able to shoot the ball with that type of touch from anywhere. It’s insane the shots that he can make over multiple people at that length. It’s incredible to watch.”
Durant was incredible to watch.
And Nets fans are hoping whoever they land in the lottery will be as well.
Bailey would be one of the best-case scenarios.
The Hall of Fame-bound Durant spent parts of four seasons in Brooklyn, the first recovering from a ruptured Achilles before requesting a trade to Phoenix midway through the final one.
He appeared in 129 games with the franchise and averaged 29.0 points, the most in Nets history and his highest with any team.
It was Durant’s February 2023 departure, less so than that of James Harden or Kyrie Irving, that slammed the door shut on Brooklyn’s title hopes.
After floundering along last season, they finally committed to a rebuild by trading away Mikal Bridges this summer.
Now, it’s a lottery pick next summer the Nets fans are already eyeing.
Two weeks ago, they had been sitting 15th in the draft order.
But after dealing point guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State — and dealing with the absence of leading scorer Cam Thomas — they entered Thursday night’s game in Milwaukee with the seventh-worst record.
That gave them a 31.9 percent chance at a top-four pick — the neighborhood they’ll need to be in to have a chance at Bailey.
Durant even compared the Rutgers star favorably within himself at 18-years-old.
“Him and his teammate Dylan Harper are playing some great ball. They’re one of my favorite teams to watch. But I see some of my game in Ace,” Durant said. “I think he’s part of the midrange game. He’s probably a little bit more advanced than I was at that age. But he’s a problem. I can’t wait to see his career growth.”
Nets fans would love that to be with them.
Bailey is generally tabbed third in most mock drafts and big boards, behind teammate Harper and presumptive top pick Cooper Flagg from Duke.
A 6-foot-10 guard with an impressive wingspan, his length makes him almost impossible to guard.
He’s averaging 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds with impressive range.
But his 33.3 percent from deep needs work, as does his shot selection.
As Durant said, the shots he can make are “insane.” But he’s oozing potential.
And Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks has personally made no fewer than four trips down the New Jersey Turnpike to Piscataway.
With Bailey (and Harper) starring at Rutgers, and the Nets banking on June’s lottery pick as a foundation of their rebuild, there will certainly be more.
There is another connection between Durant and Bailey — mini-Durant? — with the veteran superstar having welcomed Bailey, Harper and two others into the Nike family with NIL deals last month.
Durant recorded a voiceover for a video, saying “They told me you’re part of the family now. Well, welcome. But y’all ain’t really showed me nothing yet. When it’s time, we raise the bar. We’ve got to provide. Wins. Dreams. Rings. Attitude. Something. There’s no free meals at our table. Ask the greats. This family ain’t for everyone. So let’s see what you got: I’ll be watching.”
