As I've written before, there is a DEFINITE PATTERN to the players the Nets consider--and ultimately often select--in the draft. Generally speaking, the Nets look for players that:
--attend major schools, coached by well-respected coaches, in prominent conferences
--are not freshman or high school seniors (the latter no longer an issue)
--that is tall for his position
--are strong defensively--especially on-ball defense
--have a high basketball IQ, if not a high IQ, period
--can shoot a mid-range jump shot (they often compromise on this)
--are not necessarily the top option on offense for their team
--I used to say that they had to be an upstanding citizen, but they seem ready to forgive certain transgressions now (Marcus/Sean)
In addition, the Nets have NEVER drafted two players at the same position in the same draft. In fact, as far as I can remember, they have never drafted two players at the same position during CONSECUTIVE drafts (the exception being 2002, after selecting four players the year before--but then again, they took Krstic, who they knew was going back to Europe).
While the Nets SAY that they'll take the "best player available," all else being equal, they'll take someone at a position of need.
I like to think that they'd break these rules if, for instance, LeBron James was on the board, but they have held pretty closely to these principles over the past seven years or so. Obviuosly, they often have to compromise on one or more of these checklist points--it's hard to find someone that satisfies all of them. However, I'd rank the importance they placed on these elements roughly in the order I've listed them.
So, who does that leave for this draft? If we assume that they'll look at a swingman unless someone else slips to them that is dramatically better, I think we're looking at Chase Budinger, OJ Mayo, Chris Douglas-Roberts, maybe Tyler Smith? I guess Russell Westbrook is a possibility? They seem to be the best matches as far as I can tell at this point.
