Brooklyn Nets Team Review

 

2022-23 Finish: 26-56

 

Season Highlight:

The Nets ended the season with as a formidable scoring trio as there is in the entire league. Kyrie Irving, Jamal Murray and Lauri Markkanen have all become stars on the offensive end. Irving absolutely lit up the place when arriving in Brooklyn in March and Murray and Markkanen reached heights not yet seen from them in the NBA. And thankfully for GM Breece�s sanity, that Brooklyn first round pick that was owned by the Pistons did not land at number 1 (But there was certainly a nervous wait towards the pointy end of the lottery)

 

Season Lowlight:

The Nets wanted to win and win they did not. Only 26 games, despite at times looking like quite the difficult opponent. Injuries cruelled any chance the BIG M 3 of Murray, Middleton and Markkanen had of carrying this team to any place other than the bottom of the Atlantic division. A lack of depth, an extremely difficult division (New York, Boston, Toronto and Philadelphia would all make the playoffs) and perhaps a lack of understanding of how to win in this league also holding them back. And to top it all off, no first round picks in the 2023 draft.

 

Best Trade:

Nets send: Marcus Morris Sr. and 2027 Nets 1^st round pick

Nets receive: Lauri Markkanen, 2024 Nets 2^nd round pick, 2027 Spurs 2^nd Round Pick

 

At the time this one didn�t look great for the Nets, but 2022-23 would quickly become a Lauri Markkanen breakout season in the NBA, and to a lesser extent the NSL. Lauri improved in every facet of the game and became a dynamic 3 level scorer, showing plenty of new tricks on the offensive end. This would earn him a maiden NBA all-star selection and the NBA�s most improved player award. As well as being named to the All-NSL third team. Any time you can bring in a 25-year-old NBA all-star for a first that won�t come to fruition for another 5 years, you do it!

 

Worst Trade:

Nets send: Dangelo Russell, Cameron Payne and Isaiah Livers
Nets receive: Khris Middleton

Desperate for wins as he did not own his 1^st round pick, Breece had hoped Kris Middleton would bring a veteran presence, strong defense and shooting to the wing position. Unfortunately, Khris�s body would let him down for the majority of the season, only managing 17 games in a Nets uniform before being traded to the Warriors in March, when the Nets playoff chances were long gone.

 

Other Notable Trades:

Nets send: Khris Middleton, Theo Maledon, Terry Taylor, Herbert Jones and Dalano Banton

Nets receive: Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Mfiondu Kabengele and Oshae Brissett

 

A big trade this one, a guy that couldn�t get on the court for a guy that always has drama following him off the court. This one is starting to shape up nicely, with Irving seemingly settled right now and looking like a star in Brooklyn and especially in the new engine.

Nets send: Jusuf Nurkic

Nets receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

A big man for a wing to play a role amongst the new Nets big 3. While a little short for the position, KCP brings tough nosed defense and a deadly three-point shot, a perfect 3 and D player in this system.

Free Agency:

Four of the Nets starting five appear safe as houses, with 3 locked away and Irving all but a guarantee to return. Where it gets tricky is the center position. Len has looked good in the pre-season and it might be in Breece�s best interest to 99 him and hope that loyalty factor is enough to get him over the line. There are some useful pieces on the bench but more depth is sorely required in almost all positions. Especially with the injury history of the Nets backcourt. Breece will be busy on free agency day.

Kyrie Irving � UFA, will be back as he is loyal to the Nets and his salary means only the Nets can afford him

Nickeil Alexander-Walker � RFA, free return, a restricted free agent who has played well in the pre-season

Alex Len � UFA, an important one to retain, as the roster has so few big men, Len will give a loyalty bonus (I think) but will it be enough?

 

 

Star:

Kyrie Irving



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Perhaps a controversial pick considering he joined the squad in March and played only 20 games as a Net, but boy did Kyrie fill it up upon arrival in Brooklyn. Irving saddled up next to Jamal Murray and averaged 27 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists a game, helping steer the Nets from the very bottom to at least try and get that departed 1^st round pick away from Wemby territory.

 

Flop:

Kemba Walker



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A huge free agency signing who was brought in to potentially start next to Jamal Murray, Kemba lasted a whole month with the Nets. After signing a contract in December, Walker was released in January, after averaging 10 points on a dismal 29% shooting. His NSL career seemingly over.

 

 

Draft Grades:

Pick 41 � Amari Bailey

Pick 44 � Hunter Tyson

Grade: B-

The Nets did pretty well, finding two guys in the 40�s who would find places on NBA rosters. Bailey looked a good prospect and a tremendous athlete but will start his career on a two-way contract in Charlotte, but he has a chance to make it considering the volatility of their roster. Tyson is currently fighting for backup minutes with the reigning NBA champs, but has good size and shooting which is something most teams covet.

 

The Future:

The Nets seem like a team that most people want to see finally climbing the standings towards the play-ins and even playoffs in the East, and perhaps finally this is the season they do it. Forming one of the best trio of scorers in the entire league, Kyrie Irving, Jamal Murray and Lauri Markkanen will ensure the Nets have the scoreboard ticking over night after night. It will be on the defensive end where the Nets must improve if they are to start moving on up in the Eastern Conference and the tough as nails Atlantic Division. Critical role players in KCP and Alex Len (Should he be retained) are a start, but the Nets must find more depth at every position and they need to be willing role players and defenders.

C: Alex Len / Daniel Theis 
PF: Lauri Markkanen / Mike Muscala
SF: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Cody Martin
SG: Jamal Murray / Nickeil Alexander-Walker
PG: Kyrie Irving /