Nets Welcome Argentine Forward Juan Vaulet in Trade with Hornets

After selecting Syracuse freshman, Chris McCullough, with the 29th pick, the Nets waited until the 2nd round of last night’s draft to execute some noteworthy trades. As was previously mentioned, Brooklyn sent its 41st pick, Pat Connaughton (Notre Dame) and Mason Plumlee off to Portland in a trade deal that allowed them to snag Steve Blake and Portland’s own 23rd pick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

But the exchanges didn’t stop there. The Nets capped off the 2015 NBA Draft by relinquishing two future 2nd round picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Juan Vaulet out of Argentina. Nineteen-year old Vaulet, who most recently played for Argentina’s ‘Bahia Basket’ is a 6’6” power forward who averaged 9.5 PPG and 4 RPG at the 2014 FIBA U19 World Championship. He’s also coached by the brother of fellow countryman and 4-time NBA Champion, Manu Ginobli. Ginobli even expressed his excitement on Twitter shortly after the news broke.

According to Draft Express, Vaulet’s summer with the U17 team — where he averaged 21 points and 14 rebounds over the course of two games — was cut short after suffering a fractured bone in his left foot that disabled him for 15 months.

From Draft Express: “Missing out on a season which was likely to include his debut in Argentina’s 1st division and the subsequent summer of FIBA competition, Vaulet’s rehabilitation process was a lengthy one, but appears to have paid off as he was named MVP of the Argentinean Developmental League Final Four, leading his team to a championship victory before flashing some more signs for Bahia Basket against senior competition down the stretch…

Often finishing above the rim inside while flashing an intriguing blend of quickness and coordination in limited opportunities attacking the rim off the bounce, Vaulet seems to have some promise as a shot creator. While his ball-handling skills aren’t overly refined, he can often blow by his opponents purely off his extremely quick first step, and is not afraid to take hits around the basket.”

What are your thoughts on Brooklyn’s 2015 Draft selections?