Nets projected to take F Drake Powell 27th overall in 2025 NBA Draft

The Brooklyn Nets have five picks to use in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, including four in the first round of what could be a class full of talent. Brooklyn may be trying to pull off a deal or two to lessen the load on player development, but until then, there are players that they can take at each spot, including a player from North Carolina with some upside.

"Teams figure to put extra stock into Drake Powell's NBA combine performance and workouts after he spent the year spotting up on 49.2 percent of North Carolina's possessions and taking just 5.7 shots per game," Jonathan Wasserman wrote in his most recent mock draft for Bleacher Report. Wasserman has the Nets taking Powell with the 27th overall pick in the Draft, the pick they received from the Houston Rockets.

"Despite the lack of production, there could still be first-round interest based on his outstanding physical profile, defensive projection and 37.9 percent three-point shooting," Wasserman continued. Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 college basketball season, Powell was projected to be a second-round pick after what he showed at North Carolina which wasn't much when just looking at his stats.

Powell, 19, averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from three-point land in 37 appearances. Powell was an integral part of a Tarheels team that finished with a 23-14 record, allowing them to make the NCAA Tournament where they made it past the First Four before losing in the first round to Ole Miss.

While Powell did not put forth much in terms of statistics to show that he would be a prospect with high upside, his performance at the NBA Draft Combine showed scouts differently, as Wasserman alluded to. Powell, who Wasserman compares to New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones, displayed his athletic ability that gave many the impression that he could be an elite defender and shooter on the wing in the right situation.

Drake Powell played on guard-heavy @UNC_Basketball this year. He averaged SIX shots a game. He’s an improving jumpshot away from making a fortune some day. Underrated offensive skills & maybe best wing defender in draft. The athleticism is elite. @coach_paintpic.twitter.com/GlePxBOwUw— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) May 20, 2025

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets projected to take F Drake Powell 27th overall in 2025 NBA Draft