The Nets bring an eclectic group of players to the Orlando Summer League, replete with a couple of draft picks, a couple of interesting undrafted rookies, and some interesting shooters for a team that could really use a few. This isn't the best summer league team ever and they might struggle to score, but it'll be fun to see some guys actually fight for jobs.
Players who will absolutely be on the Nets in 2015-16
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
- Position: Small Forward
- 2014-15 team: Arizona (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 100 percent
Analysis: Hollis-Jefferson, the No. 23 overall pick in the draft, was acquired on draft night with Steve Blake for Mason Plumlee and Pat Connaughton. He'll be fun here athletically with his motor, but the key will be watching him try to improve his jump shooting ability. If he gets a jumper, his entire game will open up.
Almost guaranteed to be on the team in 2015-16
Markel Brown
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: Nets
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 95 percent
Analysis: Brown has a partially guaranteed deal that becomes a full guarantee in September. He played 47 games last year and averaged 4.6 points while playing solid defense for a rookie. It would be a pretty big surprise if he's not on the roster come opening night, as he's a promising, athletic prospect on a near-minimum salary.
Under contract, under scrutiny
Cory Jefferson
- Position: Power Forward
- 2014-15 team: Nets
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 64 percent
Analysis: Jefferson will be in a battle for his job in the fall, with Thomas Robinson entering the fold as well as some of the other undrafted players below. Still, his contract becomes partially guaranteed on July 15, then fully guaranteed in September. He had a solid, yet unspectacular rookie season in 2015, and will need to build on his skills in order to make it as a rotation guy. Still, I think the chances are better than not that he's on the team.
Earl Clark
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Nets, Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League), Shandong Lions (China)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 50 percent
Analysis: The former Suns lottery pick is hanging on by a thread, with a non-guaranteed deal at $1.19 million for this season. It's hard to see what he would provide that a rookie at the minimum wouldn't for a team that's in luxury tax hell, but hey, getting a deal is half the battle in the NBA, and he's got one. Who knows which direction this one goes.
The Nets hold their draft rights, but they likely will continue to be stashed
Juan Pablo Vaulet
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: Bahia Basket (Argentina)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 15 percent
Analysis: Vaulet was acquired from the Bobcats after being the No. 39 pick in the draft. He's a prospect for the future that likely will not be in the NBA next year because the Nets won't want to start the clock on his rookie deal. In all likelihood, he'll be stashed, and if he continues to develop as a shooter and scorer, he'll play in the NBA in a couple of years.
Xavier Thames
- Position: Point Guard
- 2014-15 team: Sevilla (Spain), Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 15 percent
Analysis: Thames went over to Spain to start the year in Seville, and struggled mightily before coming back to America and getting fairly limited action in Fort Wayne. He hasn't really shown the ability to be an NBA player at any level, and the Nets are well-stocked at the point. So they'll probably continue to let him develop and see if he improves.
Intriguing, young, cheap free-agent big men for a team that could use one
Cliff Alexander
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- 2014-15 team: Kansas (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 45 percent
Analysis: A former top-five high school player, Alexander surprisingly went undrafted in June. He doesn't have a guaranteed contract with the Nets, but this is a good situation for him due to a lack of known frontcourt depth in front of him. He was the No. 42 player on my final pre-draft big board, so he has some talent. It's totally possible he makes this team.
Khem Birch
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- 2014-15 team: Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 40 percent
Analysis: RECKLESS PREDICTION TIME! I think one of Birch or Alexander breaks camp with the Nets. Birch is an athlete and a terrific defensive player that performed well at Summer League last year and was first team All-D-League defensive team this year. Guy can play, and he'll get a shot from someone.
Akil Mitchell
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- 2014-15 team: Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 12 percent
Analysis: Mitchell is a terrific, disciplined defensive player that played well for the Rockets' D-League affiliate in Rio Grande Valley last year. He might not have enough of an offensive game and he might be a bit too undersized to make an NBA mark, but he's a really hard worker and that might be enough here.
Guards with a small chance of making it
Ryan Boatright
- Position: Point Guard
- 2014-15 team: Connecticut (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: 15 percent
Analysis: Boatright is just tough, and it wouldn't be crazy to see him carve out an NBA career despite his lack of size. Here, the problem is point guard depth, as the team already has four guaranteed on the roster. He'll have a good shot at a camp invite, but I don't know that it'll be here.
Josh Gasser
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: Wisconsin (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Eight percent
Analysis: Gasser was the glue guy on the past two Wisconsin Final Four teams. He can defend his butt off, handle the ball, and really knock down shots from the outside. If the defense somehow translates, he'll have a shot to stick, especially on this shooting-starved team. But the size is a definite concern and will lead to a lack of versatility in the NBA.
Steven Gray
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: Dijon (France)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Three percent
Analysis: The 26-year-old Gray has already signed in France for this upcoming season, but the NBA is always looking for knockdown shooters that can defend a little, and Gray can do that. He'll likely be back with Gravelines, but hey, maybe he goes to camp with someone if he has a hot few days in Orlando?
Jonathon Simmons
- Position: Small Forward
- 2014-15 team: Austin Toros (D-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Four percent
Analysis: Simmons was a nobody prospect coming out of Houston that has really developed nicely in the D-League, averaging 15 points per game while shooting 40 percent from 3 and making third team All-Defense. Maybe he can impress this summer and get a training camp deal for the first time at 25 years old.
One percenters, or guys that I had to Google
Darius Adams
- Position: Point Guard
- 2014-15 team: Nancy (France), Laboral Kutxa (Spain)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Adams was killing it in France before getting a contract to play in Spain at Laboral Kuxta. He was less efficient there, and as a small scoring point guard it's hard to see his fit in the NBA right now. But hey, maybe he has a few big games in Orlando.
DeShawn Delaney
- Position: Guard
- 2014-15 team: New Mexico (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Delaney is a big guard that can do a little bit of everything, but not enough of anything, so to speak. He has a good frame though, so he's certainly worth checking out for the Nets, and he'll play professionally for a while somewhere.
Austin Hollins
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: Denain ASC Voltaire (France -- B-League)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Four percent
Analysis: Hollins played in the second league in France this year, and was pretty average. He's here because he's Lionel Hollins' son. He'll play professionally for a while, but it would take some serious nepotism to get him in the NBA.
Jayvaughn Pinkston
- Position: Forward
- 2014-15 team: Villanova (NCAA)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Zero percent
Analysis: Unfortunately, Pinkston tore his ACL in practices leading up to Summer League. He'll miss the year and then try again next summer. Overall, I'm not high on his NBA outlook, but he'll be a solid fit in Europe if he can bounce back.
Juvonte Reddic
- Position: Power Forward
- 2014-15 team: Vuelle Basket Pesaro, Granalrolo Bologna (both Italy)
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: Zero percent
Analysis: Reddic is a tough, long, physical kid that played solid minutes in Italy this year, but probably is not an NBA player. He'll have a nice career overseas as a rebounder that might be able to stretch his shot out to the 20-foot line.
Ben Vozzola
- Position: Shooting Guard
- 2014-15 team: St Catharine College
- Odds he's on team for 2015-16: One percent
Analysis: Vozzola has lived the life of a basketball nomad already, playing at a few different colleges (including San Diego and Cal State Northridge) and never really catching on fully. I'm not sure a crazier thing could happen than a guy making the NBA who had a 7.5 PER in 30-plus games at CSUN, so I'm rooting for him.