Jordi Fernández leverages Brooklyn's newfound versatility to transform a stagnant offense into a multi-faceted threat in high-stakes closing minutes.
The Brooklyn Nets could be a great fourth-quarter team next season with a versatile, deep roster and one of the smartest young coaches, Jordi Fernández.
Fernández is known for maximizing a player's efficiency, tailoring play types and schemes to match their strengths.
Michael Porter Jr. is the best example. Fernández let the 28-year-old initiate offense more often, something he didn't do much with the Denver Nuggets, and it led to him averaging a career-high 24.2 points on 36.3% from three.
Now, expand his innovation from one player to specific rotations, especially in the fourth quarter.
Matchups are the name of the game, and versatility is a cheat code. It's difficult to stop teams that can go from playing big to downsizing and playing fast with floor spacing.
Brooklyn has that kind of versatility, and Billy Reinhardt highlighted some lineups the team could run in close games.
"The Nets could sometimes opt to close games with big lineups/Egor Dëmin at the 1, or a traditional point guard alongside them," Reinhardt wrote on X. "They could opt to play smaller in the frontcourt with Julius Randle at the 5."
He mentioned Moritz Wagner as a potential X-factor in late-game scenarios. Wagner could play small-ball center with his floor-spacing ability.
His shooting is shaky, as he's hovered around 31 to 36% from three over the last several seasons. The 6-foot-11 forward/center gives the Nets offensive versatility they haven't had since Brook Lopez left in 2017.
Wagner could be one of Brooklyn's underrated acquisitions.
Randle is the offensive engine that makes those lineups dangerous. He can punish smaller defenders with his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame, knock down threes and pass.
The 31-year-old developed his playmaking ability during his five seasons with Brooklyn's crosstown rival, the New York Knicks. He was the primary ball-handler before sharing those duties with Jalen Brunson, and has averaged four or more assists in six straight seasons.
Fernández surrounding Randle with floor spacers in the fourth quarter could transform the Nets' offense, which was the worst last season. They tied with the Sacramento Kings for last in three-point percentage (34%) and finished last in points per game (105.9).
Brooklyn's offense needs to change quickly to be competitive in a stacked Eastern Conference and win games. The outsiders have written the team off despite an active offseason trading for Randle and signing Wagner to a two-year deal.
The fourth quarter will be an interesting watch for the Nets. Their closing lineups can change nightly to match up with their opponents, making them a tough team to beat in the final minutes.
