The Nets Purchased Draft Rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet
On June 25, 2015, Brooklyn acquired rights to Argentine wing Juan Pablo Vaulet from Charlotte. The Bobcats/Hornets franchise received cash and two future second-round selections, eventually linked to No. 55 Arnoldas Kulboka in 2018 and No. 46 Talen Horton-Tucker in 2019. Contemporary transaction records document the substantial draft compensation for a player Brooklyn intended to keep developing internationally. Vaulet had been chosen at No. 39 earlier that same evening, and his transfer was a draft-rights transaction, not the sale of a contracted NBA player who already had Brooklyn or Charlotte appearances. The Nets were hoping to discover an international talent while Charlotte collected two future opportunities and cash without needing to sign another prospect immediately.
Vaulet Never Became a Nets NBA Rotation Player
Vaulet continued playing outside the NBA rather than establishing a Brooklyn regular-season career. His basketball achievements overseas were legitimate, but cannot be counted as Nets points, games or starts. The Nets C- inherited grade reflects the fact that acquiring his rights did not ultimately produce meaningful NBA on-court value. Brooklyn may have considered the future option worthwhile in 2015, but the cost of two second-round selections and cash was substantial relative to the realized outcome. It would be misleading to praise the move based only on his overseas performance without checking that he ever appeared in a Brooklyn uniform in the NBA. This was a classic rights-stash gamble, with a longer delay and a much smaller payoff than the franchise hoped for when the picks were sent away.
Charlotte Secured Two Usable Draft Assets Instead
Charlotte obtained actual second-round choices that matured in separate drafts three and four years later. The 2018 selection was tied to No. 55 Arnoldas Kulboka, and the 2019 selection to No. 46 Talen Horton-Tucker. The eventual NBA careers and subsequent draft-night movements of those players should be assigned to the teams where the rights ultimately landed, not mechanically treated as full Charlotte playing seasons. Nevertheless, the Hornets obtained tradable assets while relinquishing an unsigned prospect who did not make a Nets NBA roster. The cash also had an immediate value, with contemporary transaction reporting listing a payment of roughly $880,000. The inherited Charlotte B+ grade rewards the combination of financial and draft options; Brooklyn C- reflects the unrealized signing potential.
Final Verdict
Charlotte Win. The Hornets earn B+ for two second-round picks eventually connected to No. 55 Arnoldas Kulboka in 2018 and No. 46 Talen Horton-Tucker in 2019, plus cash. Brooklyn receives C- for Juan Pablo Vaulet rights that never produced Nets NBA appearances.