Should the Nets take Maryland C Derik Queen in 2025 NBA Draft?
NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets are nearing the end of their 2024-25 NBA season that will likely result in them missing the entire postseason once again. While Brooklyn's fanbase has had to endure a lot of ups and downs this season, the good news is that they should be rewarded with a high draft pick and possibly a player with significant potential.
"Derik Queen's buzzer-beating runner against Colorado State was the type of shot that has helped turn scouts into believers," Jonathan Wasserman wrote in his latest 2025 NBA mock draft for Bleacher Report. After being considered a player that would be selected outside of the NBA Lottery, Queen has done plenty of convincing of league evaluators since conference tournament time began in college basketball.
"His ability to use the dribble, face up and score with power, body control and footwork has been a significant development, given the preseason question marks about a 246-pound post big who isn't known for perimeter skill," Wasserman wrote of Queen regarding what he has shown over the course of this season.
Queen has played so well as of late that he is most likely going to be considered the best center available once the Draft comes around despite Duke center Khaman Maluach showing some encouraging signs in his game as well. Queen, fresh off hitting a buzzer-beater to send Maryland to the Sweet 16, is averaging 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 52.9% from the field and just 19.4% from three-point land.
At the moment, Queen projects as a center that can be a force on the offensive end of the floor while the defensive end remains an area of improvement for him. However, Queen seems to be one of the main risers on draft boards and if Nic Claxton and/or Day'Ron Sharpe are not on the Nets' roster for next season, Queen would be a solid pick to replace one of them in the rotation.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Should the Nets take Maryland C Derik Queen in 2025 NBA Draft?
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