Sean Marks, trying to put his best foot forward in his first draft as Nets general manager, bet on Caris LeVert’s oft-injured left foot.
The Nets traded veteran Thaddeus Young to the Pacers before Thursday night’s draft to get the 20th pick, and ultimately the rights to the Michigan guard.
The deal won’t be announced officially until after the new salary cap kicks in, but LeVert received cheers from Brooklyn fans when his name was called at Barclays Center. Even he didn’t expect to hear it called so soon.
“I went for a visit [with the Nets] about a month ago,” LeVert said. “I knew the staff really liked me but I didn’t know if they had any first-round picks. But I’m blessed to be part of this organization.”
Brooklyn traded up again in the second round with Utah, swapping the 55th pick Marcus Paige and cash for the 42nd selection of Seton Hall guard Isaiah Whitehead, a Coney Island native. It made for what Marks called a good night.
“We are positive,” said Marks, who could not speak about Young and LeVert because of league rules. “First step in putting some building blocks in place. It went well.”
It is the second straight year the Nets have taken chance on an injured player. Then general manager Billy King selected Syracuse forward Chris McCullough with the 29th pick. He played just 24 games after recovering from an ACL injury.
LeVert’s return will be gradual.
“I probably won’t be doing summer league, but my X-rays and CT scans look good,” he said. “Just a matter of not rushing back right now.”
The 6-foot-7 LeVert, who has a long wingspan, is believed to have first-round talent, but was projected to fall into the middle of the second round or lower after suffering three foot injuries in the last two years.
The latest was a fracture of his fifth metatarsal that limited him to 15 games his senior season. The injury also kept him from working out for teams before the draft. When healthy, LeVert averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season.
Marks likely has a good handle on the injury’s severity and LeVert’s recovery.
His most recent surgery was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, which is affiliated with the Nets and the sponsor of their new training center in Brooklyn.
It is unclear what impact LeVert can make, but he knows what to expect from the Barclays Center, having played there in college.
“I’m a Midwest guy, so I’m not from far away from here, but like I said, it’s a great city and I’m glad to be here,” he said. “I’m ready to work my butt off.”
The deal with the Pacers for Young could also give the Nets as much as $50 million in cap space to spend on new players. Young, 28, averaged 15.1 points and 9.0 rebounds last season. Marks, who spoke with center Brook Lopez earlier in the day, said he won’t spend it just for the sake of spending to fill out the roster and the franchise player is on board with the direction.
“He was excited the approach and where things are going,” Marks said. “We will see where it goes.”
