Nets bet on future, extending Fernández and staff. Rookie surge and player growth signal belief in their rebuild.
On Monday, the Brooklyn Nets announced they had signed head coach Jordi Fernández along with his entire coaching staff to multiyear contract extensions.
While specific terms of the deals have not been released, this move displays the Nets' patience and belief that Fernández can turn it around.
To this point, Fernández has amassed a 46-118 record in two seasons with Brooklyn, working through two rebuilding years.
While the team's record is not a positive for Fernández's case, the player development and growth from young players within the organization was a key factor for the Nets' decision, as general manager Sean Marks said in a press release Monday.
"Over his first two seasons, Jordi has built a strong foundation rooted in player development, a competitive spirit and honest communication, all of which have been embraced throughout our roster," Marks said. "The energy and passion the entire staff relentlessly pour into our players reverberates throughout the organization, and we are excited to have this group continue to lead our franchise into the future."
After setting an NBA record with five first-round selections in last year's draft, the Nets' quintet of rookies each showed potential under Fernández, with BYU's Egor Demin leading the charge.
Demin posted a solid rookie season with the Russian point guard posting averages of 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while starting in 45 of the 52 games he appeared in.
He was the first of Brooklyn's five first-rounders and displayed why, finding his range from 3-point land and consistently setting the table for his teammates.
Demin's 3-point growth has been a huge surprise, as he shot just 27.3 percent from beyond the arc in college.
However, with the Nets, he has shown a high-level of consistency from deep, shooting over 38 percent and posting the highest 3-point field-goal percentage by a qualified rookie in Nets history.
Unfortunately, he couldn't finish out the season, suffering from worsening plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but projects as the Nets' potential starting point guard going into next season.
First-year Net Michael Porter Jr. posted a career-best year under Fernández, averaging 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and a career-best three assists.
Porter, Brooklyn's leading scorer, is nearing the end of a five-year, $179 million rookie deal he initially signed with the Denver Nuggets.
But he is eligible this summer to sign an extension with the Nets a year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Roundtable's Demetrius Montero recently examined this possibility, noting Porter is eligible on July 6 to sign a four-year, $234 million deal with Brooklyn.
Following Fernández's return, an extension seems more likely, as Porter frequently spoke about his satisfaction with the role he played on this year's team.
The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter also recently said he would "love" to sign an extension in Brooklyn, saying he would like to "watch this franchise take off."
The Nets are also positioned to have the best chance at the No. 1 overall selection, with more than 50-percent odds to land in the top-four.
With Fernández's display of player development, Brooklyn is trusting that he is the right coach to tutor a potential franchise-changing player like AJ Dybantsa, Darius Acuff or Cameron Boozer.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!