NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Atlanta Hawks add LaMelo Ball; Knicks take a risk

20. Brooklyn Nets (via Philadelphia) – Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona

The Brooklyn Nets have arguably the brightest immediate future from any team drafting in the middle of the first round, but that doesn’t mean they need to take advantage of a top 20 pick. Especially if they’re going to have to gut some of their young talents in an attempt to surround Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving with the right pieces.

That means that Nico Mannion could be in play for the Nets as a potential future rotational piece in the event that some of that roster gutting begins to take shape. Mannion might not be one of the sexiest names from this draft class, but he’s an intriguing guard prospect that flashed some potential in college.

Mannion is coming off a freshman season in which he averaged 14 points, five assists, and three rebounds on 33 percent shooting from 3-point range. He has potential and good size for the point guard position but needs to prove he can be a capable threat on the perimeter at the NBA level.

Right now, I’m not so sure he can.