In the 30th of 30 NBA previews prior to the start of the season, we will take a look at the Brooklyn Nets. In this preview, we will discuss Brooklyn’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
The Nets have three new acquisitions in 2022-23, and all three will play in a reserve role. They are forwards T.J. Warren of Durham, North Carolina, Markieff Morris of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Royce O’Neale of Killeen, Texas.
Warren missed all of last year with a foot injury. He has seven years of NBA experience (five seasons with the Phoenix Suns and two seasons with the Indiana Pacers). However due to the injury, Warren will not be ready for the start of the season.
Morris averaged 7.6 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game, a field goal percentage of .474, three-point percentage of .333, and a free throw percentage of .889 last season with the Miami Heat. He only played 17 games last season because of a neck injury. Morris’s contract was for one year and $2.9 million.
O’Neale averaged 7.4 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game last season with the Utah Jazz. He had a field goal percentage of .457, three-point percentage of .389, and a free throw percentage of .804. O’Neale was traded from the Jazz to the Nets for a first round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 30.
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Fantasy Stars
The Nets have two fantasy superstars. Forward Kevin Durant is first among small forwards and first among power forwards. In 2021-22, the 12-time all-star averaged 29.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 6.4 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .518, three-point percentage of .383, and a free throw percentage of .910. Durant’s 6.4 assists per game, and .910 free throw percentage were a career-high. Durant’s .910 free throw percentage was five percentage points higher than the .905 free throw percentage he had with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012-13 when he led the NBA.
Kyrie Irving, a Melbourne native, is fourth among shooting guards and sixth among point guards. In 2021-22, he averaged 27.4 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, and 4.4 rebounds per game. He had a field goal percentage of .469, three-point percentage of .418 and free throw percentage of .915. It should be noted that Irving only played 29 games because of his controversial decision not to get vaccinated.
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Predicted Finish
In 2022-23, the Nets will be an elite team if their talent can come together and unite as one. So far we have not seen that, and the Nets have been significantly outcoached on a regular basis, as Steve Nash’s coaching inexperience prior to his hiring on September 3, 2020, has come to the forefront.
Joel Beatton and I agree that the Nets will be third in the Atlantic Division. Until we see more chemistry in this group, they will be behind Boston and Philadelphia.
