Day'Ron Sharpe transitions into a starting role, prepared to anchor Brooklyn’s interior and expand his offensive range.
Day'Ron Sharpe is set for a breakout season as the Brooklyn Nets' starting center and could be the team's most efficient player.
ESPN's Dean Oliver compiled a list of the top seven Nets by predicted net points per possession, and Sharpe led the group with +1.3. Michael Porter Jr. finished second with +1.1.
ESPN created Net Points, a system that quantifies every rebound, shot, turnover and free throw and assigns credit and blame to the players on the court.
Sharpe leading in this category is a promising sign for his jump from bench player to starter.
He's one of the NBA's best offensive rebounders. The 6-foot-10 center has generated nearly three extra possessions per game from offensive rebounds and holds the highest career offensive rebounding percentage in NBA history (18.3%). He surpasses legends Dennis Rodman and Jayson Williams. Sharpe also led the NBA in second-chance points per 36 minutes with six.
Brooklyn trusts the 24-year-old to thrive in his new role. The franchise traded its previous starter, Nicolas Claxton, to the Chicago Bulls in the four-team deal that landed Julius Randle.
He will be a key part of the team's success next season as their defensive anchor and glass cleaner.
The Nets may see Sharpe extend his range and take more jumpers. Tyreek Dupree, a player development coach, posted a social media video of Sharpe doing various shooting drills.
Sharpe has averaged 0.5 three-point attempts and shot 27.4% over his five-year career. He experimented a bit in the regular season, attempting 1.2 threes last October and 0.8 last November and in March.
Those attempts, although low, show he has the confidence to shoot wide-open threes. That foundation gives him a path upward to develop his jump shot, and he's taking initiative in the offseason.
Brooklyn views Sharpe highly, as general manager Sean Marks has given him new contracts in back-to-back offseasons.
Marks signed him to a two-year, $12 million contract last offseason. Sharpe had a career year, averaging 8.7 points and 6.7 rebounds on 60.1% shooting, and was rewarded with a two-year, $20 million contract in June.
Next season will be a new test for the Nets' starter. He'll defend star centers like Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama for most of his time on the floor.
Another career season, plus defending stars at a high level, could help him earn a salary increase in a new contract since his second year is a team option.
