Ochai Agbaji’s NBA Journey: From Lottery Pick to a Crucial 30-Game Trial in Brooklyn
When the Cleveland Cavaliers took Ochai Agbaji with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the vision was clear: a plug-and-play 3-and-D wing who could immediately contribute to a team on the rise. He had the resume - a national champion, a Big 12 scoring leader, and a first-team All-American. But nearly four years later, that vision has faded, and Agbaji finds himself on his fourth NBA team, fighting for relevance.
The latest chapter in Agbaji’s winding NBA journey comes via a trade deadline move that sent him from the Toronto Raptors to the Brooklyn Nets - essentially a salary dump with a second-round pick attached. For Agbaji, it’s a fresh start and maybe his last real shot to prove he belongs in a league that hasn’t quite figured out where he fits.
From College Star to NBA Question Mark
Agbaji’s path to the NBA was anything but typical for a lottery pick. He stayed all four years at Kansas, steadily improving each season.
As a freshman, he was a surprise contributor, starting 16 games and averaging 8.5 points. By his senior year, he was the engine of a national title team, putting up 18.8 points per game while shooting over 40% from deep.
That trajectory - consistent growth, elite shooting, and high-level defense - made him an appealing prospect.
At 6'5" and 200 pounds, Agbaji had the physical tools for the modern wing role. He didn’t turn the ball over much, showed defensive versatility, and most importantly, improved his shooting every year in college.
But there were concerns, too. He was already 22 on draft night, and he wasn’t a shot creator or playmaker - traits that often separate rotation players from stars at the NBA level.
Still, the idea was that his role wouldn’t require much creation. He’d space the floor, guard his position, and fill a valuable niche. That hasn’t quite panned out.
A Rocky Start in the League
Agbaji never got the chance to suit up for Cleveland. Just months after being drafted, he was shipped to Utah as part of the blockbuster Donovan Mitchell trade. In his rookie season with the Jazz, he showed flashes - 7.9 points per game on 35.5% shooting from deep in 20.5 minutes - but consistency was elusive.
Year two brought regression. In 51 games with Utah during the 2023-24 season, his scoring dipped to 5.4 points per game, and his three-point percentage fell to 33.1%.
The Jazz moved on, trading him to Toronto at the 2024 trade deadline. But the fresh start didn’t spark a turnaround.
In 27 games to close the season, Agbaji started 18 times but shot just 21.7% from beyond the arc - a number that’s hard to justify for a player whose primary value is supposed to come from shooting.
Ironically, last season - 2024-25 - was the best of his career. He started 45 games, played 27.2 minutes a night, and averaged 10.4 points.
More importantly, he shot a career-best 39.9% from three and 49.8% from the field overall. He also posted personal highs in rebounds, assists, and steals.
It finally felt like he was turning a corner.
But that momentum didn’t carry over. This season, his minutes have been slashed to just 15.5 per game, and his three-point shooting has cratered to an alarming 18.5%. For a player whose NBA survival hinges on floor spacing and defensive versatility, that kind of shooting slump is tough to overcome.
Raptors Cut Ties, Nets Offer One Last Shot
Toronto, eyeing the luxury tax and trying to stay under the first apron with big-money players like Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl on the books, decided it was time to move on. Agbaji, a restricted free agent this summer, no longer fit into their playoff-oriented plans. The Raptors attached a second-round pick just to get his contract off the books - a telling sign of how far his stock has dropped.
Now, Agbaji lands in Brooklyn, where opportunity may finally meet need. The Nets, currently in full rebuild mode and light on wing depth, are giving him a 30-game audition. It’s a low-risk move for the league’s cheapest team, and for Agbaji, it’s a golden opportunity.
Brooklyn’s wing rotation is far from settled. Michael Porter Jr. is the headliner, though many expected him to be moved at the deadline.
Rookie Egor Demin has shown promise but is still raw. Beyond that, the options are thin.
Noah Clowney is more of a four, and players like Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams, and Drake Powell haven’t exactly locked down roles. With Cam Thomas waived, there’s a clear lane for Agbaji to earn minutes.
What Could’ve Been in Cleveland
It’s hard not to wonder what might’ve happened if Agbaji had stayed in Cleveland. While the Cavs wouldn’t have been as strong without Mitchell, they still likely would’ve been a playoff team. In that alternate reality, Agbaji might have come off the bench behind a mix of Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, and Cedi Osman, getting limited minutes but valuable experience in a winning environment.
There’s a case to be made that Cleveland’s stability - with a core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen - could’ve given Agbaji a better foundation to grow. Then again, the depth at the wing might’ve meant fewer opportunities to play through mistakes. It’s a classic development dilemma: better team or bigger role?
Either way, Agbaji’s real career arc has been a rocky one. He’s been traded three times, struggled to find consistency, and now faces a pivotal stretch with free agency looming. The next three months in Brooklyn could determine whether he sticks in the league or becomes another cautionary tale of a promising college star who couldn’t quite make the leap.
For now, the mission is simple: make shots, defend his position, and show he belongs. The opportunity is there. It’s up to Agbaji to seize it.