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Louisville basketball: Bold prediction for each former Card in the NBA

By Jacob Lane

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dribbles past Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dribbles past Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 5: Deng Adel #12 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA preseason game against of Melbourne United at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 5: Deng Adel #12 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA preseason game against of Melbourne United at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Deng Adel – F, Brooklyn Nets

Prediction: Cut by Brooklyn Nets after training camp and signs lucrative deal in Australia

If you had polled 1,000 knowledgeable Louisville basketball fans last season whether they believed Deng Adel had any NBA future, I believe 95 percent (or more) would’ve said no.

Credit it to him, after being cut by the Toronto Raptors at the completion of training camp, Adel shined in the NBA G-League and ultimately was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers to a Two-Way contract.

With the Cavaliers being in complete rebuild mode, Adel actually got quite a bit of run and while he wasn’t great by any means he showed potential to one day be a “three and D” type of wing at the professional level.

Playing with the Houston Rockets in the 2019 Summer League, Adel again looked much improved, averaging nearly nine points and 3 assists per game, while putting together a 20-point, 7-assist performance against the Denver Nuggets.

That led to him being signed to a training camp deal by the Brooklyn Nets, a team that was extremely busy this offseason signing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and now he’ll have another opportunity to prove he belongs.

https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets/status/1156309335468904448

It’s highly unlikely Adel will make the final roster, considering that the Nets are in win-now mode, however, we have seen him impress over and over again when the deck has been stacked against him.

After being cut, I believe Adel will have garnered enough NBA experience to become a hot commodity in the budding NBL back in Adel’s former home, Australia despite signing an Exhibit 10 deal which would incentivize him to return to the G-League. The NBL has grown exponentially over the last few years, even signing a TV deal with ESPN, and they’ve done so by signing former NBA players and up-and-coming high school stars.

While Adel doesn’t command anywhere near the attention of LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, he spent the majority of his teenage years in Australia and could become a fan favorite. I do believe Adel has an NBA future ahead, but turning down a lucrative contract to play in a growing league wouldn’t likely be the best move for the second-year pro.

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