There are a lot of questions surrounding the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets retooled their roster at last year’s trade deadline as they dealt Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. While the Nets did reasonably well in their return haul with Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Johnson, and Mikal Bridges, the upcoming season marks the first year that the Nets won’t have a superstar on their roster since the 2018-19 season.
2023-24 NBA Power Rankings Offseason Edition: No. 20 Brooklyn Nets
Despite all the turmoil surrounding the Nets, Brooklyn went 45-37 last year and reached the playoffs for the fifth straight year. After starting the season with a 2-5 record with head coach Steve Nash, the Nets went 43-32 the rest of the way under Jaque Vaughn. But Brooklyn lost 15 of their last 28 contests after the trade deadline.
Brooklyn struggled offensively, as one probably could have expected, following the trade deadline. The Nets ranked 23rd in offensive ranking and 24th in effective field goal percentage over the final 28 games. However, the Nets ranked in the league’s top half defensively during this span.
Bridges was excellent after the trade deadline, compiling 26.1 points on 47.5% shooting from the field and 37.6% from the 3-point line. Johnson, Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas also played pretty well after the trade deadline. However, Dinwiddie and Thomas struggled to shoot the ball.
Brooklyn has brought in nine newcomers, including two players on two-way deals. Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead, Dennis Smith Jr, Lonnie Walker IV, Darius Bazley, and Trendon Watford are in their first year with the Nets.
Armoni Brooks and Jalen Wilson, who have inked two-way deals with the Nets, had outstanding summer league sessions. Wilson, out of Kansas, was named to the 2023 NBA 2K Summer League second team.
Best Offseason Decision: Re-Signing Cameron Johnson
When Brooklyn acquired Johnson from Phoenix, they knew the 6-foot-8 forward would be a restricted free agent this summer. The Nets made it clear that keeping Johnson was a priority, and they signed him to a four-year, $94.5 million deal with the possibility of it ending up being worth $108 million with incentives. While that may seem to be a lot for a 27-year-old who just became a full-time starter this past season, Brooklyn needed to make the investment to secure his services.
Johnson is coming off a career season. He is an excellent shooter, a solid ballhandler, and a fantastic defender.
Johnson averaged 16.6 points on .468/.372/.851 shooting with 2.3 threes in 25 games after coming over to Brooklyn. Johnson also compiled 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Worst Offseason Decision: Reaching For Noah Clowney
I am not sure that Brooklyn made a wrong decision this offseason, depending on how they plan on using Clowney. Clowney is not NBA-ready, and with their off-season moves, they may plan on bringing him along slowly. That being said, the Nets needed talent though it is hard to expect getting a superstar with pick No. 21.
Clowney’s defense is far ahead of his offense. The 6-10 big man is a solid rebounder who can stretch the floor and is an excellent shot-blocker. He struggled mightily on the offensive during summer league action, producing 4.8 points with a shooting line of .226/.235/.750. Clowney also compiled 5.4 rebounds (1.8 offensive), 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks though fouls were an issue.
What’s Next for Brooklyn: Figuring Out The Rotation
Brooklyn’s roster is pretty much set. The Nets have 15 players with a standard contract though Darius Bazley and Trendon Watford hold nonguaranteed deals. The Nets have roster space to invite four players to training camp and a two-way spot to fill.
Vaughn’s number one training camp priority is figuring out Simmons’ health and availability. If Simmons can go, that will affect Vaughn’s rotation. Simmons can start at any position or come off the bench.
Dinwiddie, Bridges, Johnson, and Claxton are locked in as starters. If Simmons started with this group, he would likely play point with Dinwiddie sliding over to the two. Dorian Finney-Smith will probably start if Simmons doesn’t.
If they come off the bench, Simmons or Finney-Smith project to be the Nets’ sixth man. Thus, leaving O’Neale, Smith Jr., Thomas, Walker, and possibly Day’Ron Sharpe competing for minutes with the second unit.
