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The Drake Powell mystery goes on.
After reading all the NBA mock draft boards, did any of us really think the Tar Heel one-and-done would go at No. 22? After all, Drake had been all over the projections, mostly as an early second rounder. Closer to the draft, he was listed as high as No. 28, which is three away from that second round.
So the Atlanta Hawks used the 22nd pick on Powell and then traded him to the Brooklyn Nets, who have missed the playoffs for the last two years but boast an excellent developmental program. At least the Pittsboro kid will be guaranteed more than $5 million in his first two seasons in the Nets organization. That could go up another $3 million if Powell is retained for a third year.
The talking heads around the Barclays Center, home court of the Nets, were equally mystified. Yes, Powell had scored high on the wingspan, vertical jump and hand size testing at the NBA combine, but he chose to sit out the scrimmage games where his stock could have dropped had he not played well.
Now that he knows where he is going, Powell could continue at what they call the Advocate Center at the combine and play with and against other draftees and maybe veterans. It will be interesting to get the take of Cameron Johnson, who has been in the NBA for six seasons since being drafted No. 11 in 2019 and became a bona fide star in Brooklyn.
The commentators agreed that Powell could have a big future but needs to show more shooting range and physicality than he did in his one season as a Tar Heel. He played much of his freshman year at No. 4 (power forward) and looked more comfortable when Hubert Davis moved him to the perimeter for the last half of the season.
Powell’s versatility was highlighted. He doesn’t have to have the ball, moves well to get open, can shoot it from the corners and, most of all, has the length and quickness to be a good NBA defender. Really good.
One analyst opined that Powell did the best job guarding Cooper Flagg of anyone who played against Duke last season. Flagg shot 6-for-15, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 6 assists in 29 minutes of the game he was guarded by Powell, which could say more about the top draft choice than Drake’s defense.
Comparisons to the 6-8 Johnson have already surfaced, as have questions of whether Powell can make the Nets’ roster and also join Day’Ron Sharpe, who was drafted late in the first round in 2021 but began his pro career on a two-way contract before finishing the season on the big team.
The second round of the NBA draft featured players headed for such two-way contracts between NBA teams and their G League affiliates. One analyst who covers the Nets predicted that will be Drake Powell’s path.
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Featured image via Todd Melet
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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