Jordi Fernández gains a versatile veteran in Julius Randle and defensive depth through Keon Ellis, positioning a revamped Brooklyn roster to surpass last season's disappointing win total.
The Brooklyn Nets entered this offseason with the third-most cap space and left with three new additions, whom coach Jordi Fernández is excited to coach.
Brooklyn used its cap space to trade for Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves and sign Keon Ellis and Moritz Wagner to two-year deals, including a mutual option in the second year. It wasn't the blockbuster summer many fans hoped for, but the team is better than last year's 22-60 roster.
Randle was the first domino to fall on June 22, the day before the NBA draft. He is an experienced veteran who can create his own shot and overwhelm defenders with his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame when attacking the paint.
"[I'm] very excited to coach him, and for him to raise the floor," Fernández said in a special offseason episode of "The Bridge."
The 31-year-old said it felt great to be in Brooklyn, returning to New York, where he spent five seasons on the New York Knicks. He's embracing a veteran role, mentoring the younger players and playing a significant role in their growth.
Randle is a great mix of veteran leadership and a win-now skill set to help the Nets win.
Ellis agreed to his two-year deal on June 30 and is reuniting with Fernández. They spent two seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) with the Sacramento Kings when Ellis was a rookie and Fernández was the associate head coach.
"Keon is the ultimate pro," Fernández said.
Ellis can slot into Brooklyn's lineup as a low-usage player, helping define roles on the court much more easily. He doesn't need the ball to score, nor does he demand a higher usage to be effective.
His skill set is a perfect match for Randle, who will likely be one of the primary ball-handlers. Ellis' shooting makes him a valuable kick-out option for the playmakers, and his perimeter defense slots other defenders into the right places.
Wagner signed one month after Ellis. He fills in the backup center role, which the team sorely needed after trading Nicolas Claxton to the Chicago Bulls as part of the Randle trade.
"[Moe's] the type of player you want on your team and that you hate playing against him," Fernández said.
Injuries have limited Wagner to 66 games in the past two seasons. He played 80 games in the 2022-23 season and averaged 10.9 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Wagner has solid court vision for a big, making the simple extra passes when the paint is crowded or a defender is closing out hard. He's not the best three-point shooter, but has the confidence to pull when left wide open.
Fernández has the roster to compete this season, and doesn't have to experiment with young players. Brooklyn could have a much-improved season with veterans now at its coach's disposal.
