Versatility is a quality widely regarded around the NBA. While one can be a star in the league by excelling at their specific role, something Draymond Green has done well as the defensive focal point of the Golden State Warriors, being able to help your team win in multiple ways surely adds value.
However, versatility doesn’t come easy, and in some cases, the diversification of skills can lead to a loss of identity, making NBA teams unsure about the upside.
Having gone undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Alabama’s Grant Nelson faced a similar double-edged sword in the proceedings.
Nelson was considered one of the most versatile players in the draft, with the ability to score from inside as well as outside the paint while being able to make the right passes. So where did it go wrong for Nelson as he entered the list of undrafted free agents?
Undrafted Nelson Finds Home in Brooklyn After Draft Slide
It’s not that Nelson disappointed at the NBA Draft combine. After all, the Alabama forward broke the combine shuttle run record with a 2.58-second timing, surpassing Malcolm Brogdon’s timing (2.64) from 2016.
“A jack of all trades but a master of none” would be a crude yet accurate description of Nelson, and it explains his plight well. Standing at 6’11”, Nelson has the length to play center and be an imposing presence in the paint. He also ran the third fastest lane agility at the combine, highlighting his physical capability to play forward.
The problem arises when Nelson’s ability to play as a connector and pass gets him mistaken for a small-ball center. The further away he gets from the rim, the less the forward is able to use his size and impose himself on the game.
While he has a decent shot from beyond the arc, it isn’t one that qualifies him as a stretch big. So a mix of inside and outside play would be ideal to bring out Nelson’s best, just as it did at Alabama.
Alabama forward Grant Nelson will join the Brooklyn Nets and compete for a two-way spot in training camp, league sources told @hoopshype. Nelson averaged 11.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks for the Crimson Tide last season. pic.twitter.com/vSZossJw7V
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 27, 2025
Despite these concerns about how he develops in the league, an improvement in his shooting percentage would do wonders for the player. For Nelson, that shouldn’t be too hard as his shooting mechanics appear sound and he simply seems to lack confidence.
Recognizing the upside of the 6’11” Devils Lake, North Dakota native, the Brooklyn Nets picked up Nelson, who will compete for a two-way spot in the Nets’ training camp. This provides Nelson an opportunity to prove his mettle in an NBA environment and could prove the prospect is just as good as he looks on paper.
The Nets know Nelson’s 3-point shooting would be the key to unlocking his potential in the league. However, adding muscle must be another priority if they plan on playing the forward in the paint more. Nelson offers tremendous versatility in his skill set; what remains to be seen is if he can deepen that skill set.
