Brooklyn Nets Offseason Moves 2019: Odds and Predictions

Season Record: 42-40, 6th in the Eastern Conference.

Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson

Most Frequent Starting Five (13 Games): (G) D’Angelo Russell – (G) Joe Harris – (F) Treveon Graham – (F) Rodions Kurucs – (C) Jarrett Allen

2018-2019 Nets Top Performers

• (G) D’Angelo Russell – 30.2 MPG | 21.1 PPG | 7.0 APG | 1.2 SPG | .369 3P%
• (G) Spencer Dinwiddie – 28.1 MPG | 16.8 PPG | 4.6 APG | .335 3P%
• (G-F) Joe Harris – 30.2 MPG | 13.7 PPG | 3.8 RPG | .474 3P%

2018-2019 Major Transactions

13 July 2018 – Traded (G) Jeremy Lin, a 2023 second-round draft pick and a 2025 second-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for (G) Isaïa Cordinier and a 2020 second-round draft pick.

13 July 2018 – Traded (G) Isaiah Whitehead to the Denver Nuggets for (F-C) Darrell Arthur, (F-C) Kenneth Faried, a 2019 first-round draft pick.

20 July 2018 – Traded (F-C) Darrell Arthur to the Phoenix Suns for (F) Jared Dudley and a 2021 second-round draft pick.

7 February 2019 – Traded cash to the Toronto Raptors for (C) Greg Monroe and a 2021 second-round draft pick. Monroe was later waived.

The Good

The Young Nets Show Out

Not much was expected of the Nets going into the 18-19 season. While they were ravaged by injuries across the board, they were still able to accumulate an impressive 42-40 record.

Despite being knocked out in the first round, they projected great future potential.

D’Angelo Russell is Ice Cold and Red Hot

D’Angelo Russell went OFF. Ice in his veins. pic.twitter.com/KyjuX6N18g

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 24, 2019

D’Angelo Russell wasn’t ready for the lights of LA in his rookie season. Immature and over-burdened, the Nets found their All-Star in him last year.

His exponential growth is exactly what enabled them to acquire Kevin Durant in exchange for him over the offseason.

Atkinson’s Methods Are Working

THAT BALL MOVEMENT ? pic.twitter.com/DJw1J1KCOC

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 12, 2019

Many questioned head coach Kenny Atkinson’s abilities and resume for the Net’s job. However given time, he has morphed the disorganized Nets into a well-oiled, and offensively efficient team.

A high-scoring, deep-range, and foul-drawing team, Atkinson’s gameplay seems tailor-made for the current NBA.

The Bad

Caris LeVert Train De-Railed

?@CarisLeVert
└? Things You Just Love to See
└? This pic.twitter.com/24YrKkW8E8

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 5, 2019

Early in the 2019 campaign, Caris LeVert looked like an absolute star. Through the first fourteen games, he was averaging 18.4 points on 41% shooting from the field.

But just as he rose, he fell due to a horrific injury. He was surprisingly back within the season, but he never regained that form.

Hollis-Jefferson’s Last Run

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made the game-winning shot to cap a 28-point comeback for Brooklyn. The longest-tenured Net has battled injuries and been in and out of the rotation all season. Today, he had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and +26 rating in 17 minutes. pic.twitter.com/w9QCpia1o5

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 20, 2019

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was the energizer for the Brooklyn Nets both on the court and in the locker room.

Unfortunately, he failed to extend his shooting range as needed and fell victim to an adductor strain which took away much of his season.

Hollis-Jefferson was signed by the Toronto Raptors this past offseason.

The Surprises

Promotions and Vacancies

The Brooklyn Nets’ unexpected success was fantastic for their organization but soon came an expected reality.

Much of their personnel was poached, in hopes of developing the same success somewhere else.

Long Island head coach Will Weaver, assistant coach Chris Fleming, assistant GM Trajan Langdon, and global scouting director Gianluca Pascucci left their side.

Brooklyn Nets 2019 NBA Draft Acquisitions

The Brooklyn Nets had three picks and decided to take two of those picks for themselves.

Jaylen Hands provides backcourt depth while Nicolas Claxton is an exciting frontcourt prospect.

(G) Jaylen Hands – UCLA – USA – Los Angeles Clippers, 2nd Round (26th Pick, 56th Overall)

Brooklyn Nets PG Jaylen Hands THROWBACK High School Highlights! @JHANDS08 @Compton_Magic ?

?: https://t.co/CYunlc31Zz pic.twitter.com/9sKhnEp60R

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) September 9, 2019

Jaylen Hands is a worthwhile prospect for the Nets to try and develop. He is an excellent athlete, despite not having the physical tools to impress at the NBA level (upon initial inspection). He’s not a developed shooter yet but shows potential.

(C) Nicolas Claxton – Georgia – USA – Brooklyn Nets, 2nd Round (1st Pick, 31st Overall)

Nicolas Claxton doing his thing on BOTH ENDS ? pic.twitter.com/5f5f6vWHhN

— Nick Fay (@OTG_NICK) October 5, 2019

Claxton is another exciting center prospect added to the ranks for the Brooklyn Nets. He doesn’t have the body for the NBA yet, but he’s a willing shooter although inconsistent. He is one more in the stable of adept shot-blockers for the Nets, averaging 2.5 per game at Georgia.

Expectations

Hands and Claxton are raw, high-ceiling prospects. Hands seems to be the more impactful of the two immediately. While Claxton will need some more training and seasoning.

Expect both to spend a significant amount of time with the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G-League affiliate.

2019 Brooklyn Nets NBA Offseason Acquisitions

(F) Kevin Durant – 4 Years/$164 Million

Kevin Durant explains why players don’t consider the Knicks in free agency:

“The cool thing now is not the Knicks”

(? HOT 97) pic.twitter.com/51jLmT47Uq

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 8, 2019

A ten-time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year, two-time Finals MVP, and League MVP, Kevin Durant joins the Nets with all the necessary fanfare but lacking the health to be a factor this season.

The Nets are doubling down on his quality, hoping that his return next season will spur them to their greatest-ever accomplishments.

(G) Kyrie Irving – 4 Years/$136.5 Million

Kyrie Irving got in the lab with @kobebryant at the Mamba Pro Invitational #mambaproinvitational pic.twitter.com/PjnaaH4eqF

— Mamba Sports Academy (@MambaSportsHQ) October 7, 2019

When Kyrie Irving is your second best acquisition and second best player during offseason recruitment, you’ve done something right.

He was bothersome to the Celtics’ locker room last year, but will have a second-chance at being a leader with the Durant-less Nets.

(C) DeAndre Jordan – 4 Years/$40 Million

Taurean Prince adjusts and tosses it up for the DeAndre Jordan hammer! #NBAPreseason

?: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/uvtBmE9yVJ

— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2019

If you thought it stopped at Irving and Durant, the Nets landed another All-NBA caliber player in DeAndre Jordan this summer – on a very cap-friendly deal. The all-time NBA leader in field-goal percentage (67%), Jordan adds a paint presence to the Nets that is near unrivaled in the NBA. How they run him with promising but similar young centre Jarrett Allen will be a development to watch.

(F) Taurean Prince – 4 Years/$10.7 Million

Back-to-back ?s for @taureanprince ? #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/SV40Vz8KjE

— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 5, 2019

Prince is a versatile combo-forward that fits in well with the Nets’ current make up. He struggled with health last year, but both his size on the defensive end and shooting ability more than make up for the risk.

(G) Garrett Temple – 1 Year/$4.7 Million

Dzanan Musa ➡️ Garrett Temple ➡️ Nicolas Claxton! #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/DSgYYzr7Cd

— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2019

Temple brings to the Nets a veteran backcourt presence for their newly overhauled roster. Temple won’t require a lot to be effective, but won’t contribute much to the box score. He is a glue player that is sure to bring excellent depth to Brooklyn.

(F) Wilson Chandler – 1 Year/$2.5 Million

Nets gonna miss Wilson Chandler during his 25-game suspension pic.twitter.com/m8rJk3R9NI

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) October 4, 2019

In his eleventh season, Chandler doesn’t look to be more than a role player for the Nets. He will also be suspended for the first quarter of the season. At 6’9 and 225 pounds, Chandler will play a dynamic role on offence and defence.

(G-F) David Nwaba – 2 Years/$3.5 Million

David Nwaba has never played for a team that finished the season with a winning record. Let’s change that.#NBA #Nets #BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/Ivr0w0UdhY

— Nets Nation (@NetsNationCP) October 1, 2019

Nwaba has made a name for himself due to his defensive ability over the course of his three-year NBA career. While he won’t light up the scoreboard, he’s an athletic option on both ends of the court that will always impact the game.

(F-C) Henry Ellenson – Two-Way Contract

In his third year, Henry Ellenson is yet to make an impact at the NBA level. At 22 years old, the former 18th overall pick is not worth giving up on. He is still an excellent shooter from deep for a big, but will need to improve on the defensive end to be a regular option.

Training Camp Additions

(G) CJ Williams – Non/Partial Guaranteed

CJ Williams sinks the game-winner for the #Clippers! ??? pic.twitter.com/NIo98DmbTZ

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 9, 2018

Combo guard CJ Williams joins the team as a prospective Three-and-D option for the Nets. He shot a respectable 36.8% from three during his G-League campaign last season, on a high 7.8 attempt clip.

(F) Lance Thomas – Non/Partial Guaranteed

Lance Thomas with the scat pic.twitter.com/xxKovYCtxM

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) October 4, 2019

Surprisingly, eight-year NBA veteran Lance Thomas finds himself fighting for a roster spot. He’s an excellent defensive option and is a career 38.3% three-point shooter. While his offensive output is low, his experience alone suggests he’d be a valuable addition.

(F) Deng Adel – Exhibit 10

Rise Up!

Louisville’s Deng Adel shows off hops with dunk over North Carolina’s Justin Jackson

?: https://t.co/oa6pIlao4H pic.twitter.com/CdhBc18LxA

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 23, 2017

Deng Adel is an athletic wing piece that the Brooklyn Nets scooped off of the G-League market from the Cleveland Cavaliers. While he failed to impress in full appearances for the Cavs, his activity while on assignment was enough for the Nets to take a chance on him.

(C) John Egbunu – Exhibit 10

John Egbunu from one end to the other: block ➡️ alley-oop dunk #Gators pic.twitter.com/6ZWmKd2it1

— Grace Remington (@GraceRemiWTSP) February 12, 2017

Egbunu was essentially forced to test the waters due to his lack of interest in gaining a sixth year of NCAA eligibility. He hasn’t played organized basketball since 2017, but remains an interesting centre prospect. He already has the size to play the position, but the Nets will hope to aid in his recovery and build on his potential.

Expected Depth Chart

Brooklyn Nets 2019-2020 Season Expectations

The Brooklyn Nets had a massive offseason, but they won’t be able to fully realize their potential until next year.

Fortunately, they were still able to upgrade their overall talent level via the acquisition of stars and role players.

The team sees significant turnover, so their ability to mesh early will determine their success.

Regular Season Win Totals for the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets improved overall but still show a need to form a cohesive unit. They achieved 42 wins last season, competing in a difficult division.

Future odds are projecting the Nets to win over/under 44.5 games in the 2019-2020 season. The additions of Irving and Jordan alone form a core that should easily challenge that mark.

Brooklyn Nets Odds to Win the 2019-2020 Eastern Conference

The Nets are a strong team, but they are by no means the strongest in the East.

They will challenge the oddsmakers’ top three Milwaukee Bucks, Boston, and Philadelphia for the conference prize. Future bets do favor the Nets in some aspects, as they currently outrank reigning NBA Champions the Toronto Raptors.

Brooklyn Nets Odds to Win the 2019-2020 NBA Championship

The Nets have a good squad, but they don’t seem ready to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. While they have excellent leaders, their young talent has much to prove before they can be considered at the top of the NBA.

Despite that, the Nets rank in the sportsbook’s top third in chances to win the NBA Championship.

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