NBA Drafts 2020: Brooklyn Nets Show Keen Interest in Bringing R.J. Hampton

One of the upcoming rookies in the 2020 NBA Draft is R.J. Hampton. Several analysts believe that he is a combo guard that has great size.

A good three-pointer and great ball-handling abilities, he is being compared to players like Denver Nuggets‘ Jamal Murray and Cleveland Cavaliers‘ Dante Exum.

Hampton is expected to be picked from between the 8th to the 17th pick. And the team that has shown immense interest in the rookie are the Brooklyn Nets.

Not only that, but Hampton was also seen working out with New York Knicks‘ Julius Randle in Dallas. In August, the Knicks even interviewed Hampton, when their new Head Coach Tom Thibodeau was hired.

According to ‘New York Post’ sources, “The Knicks believe picking Hampton at No. 8 is too much of a reach, but have seriously mulled trading back. But Brooklyn is extremely interested in Hampton if he falls to No. 19.”

Hampton and Nets have previously been linked in the mock drafts. This is because he has played for the New Zealand Breakers, and the Nets GM Sean Marks is also from New Zealand.

Brooklyn Nets, very serious about bringing in R.J. Hampton

There has been more evidence pointing towards the Nets’ seriousness in acquiring the rookie. As per the ‘NY Post‘, “the club worked out combo guard RJ Hampton in Memphis within the last two weeks.”

It looks like Hampton is all set to enter the NBA and is preparing for it. “According to sources, Hampton has spent part of the pandemic working out with Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway and his former assistant coach Mike Miller, a standout 3-point shooter in the NBA,” wrote the New York Post.

Hampton is very confident about what he brings to the table. “I think I’m the best prospect in the draft,’’ Hampton told ESPN this week.

“Just the combination of speed, size, grit, toughness, the ability to change plays on the defensive and offensive end and then having that experience in the NBL.”

However, Hampton played for the Beakers in the NBL instead of the NCAA, which means he didn’t receive that same level of coaching.

This puts his presence in the Draft as dicey. But if the rookie lands in New York, it’s more likely that he will choose the Nets.