The Brooklyn Nets are an interesting team to keep an eye on. After making multiple notable moves this offseason, the team should improve.
A sneaky good offseason from the Brooklyn Nets has some players and analysts calling for improvements from last year's bottom-three finish in the Eastern Conference.
On Monday, The Ringer's Michael Pina ranked Brooklyn the No. 24 team in the NBA, writing that he likes the Nets, but thinks there's a clear move to make.
"...my cautious optimism will disappear if Michael Porter Jr. gets moved before the February trade deadline," Pina wrote. "Brooklyn’s best player is currently eligible for an extension; if Nets general manager Sean Marks doesn’t want to make an offer both sides can agree upon, this team will lose one of the league’s top off-ball scorers for nothing. Porter should’ve been an All-Star last season."
As Brooklyn's lone 20-plus point per game scorer, Porter took a big step in his first year as a No. 1 option.
He has expressed his intent to stay with Brooklyn long-term, but has not found common ground with the organization.
With the offseason addition of Julius Randle, the Nets have former a complimentary wing duo that can score from all three levels.
Randle's physical style of play should allow Porter to find more off-ball looks and catch-and-shoot opportunities.
"Julius Randle, warts and all, will look like Wilt Chamberlain when he’s compared to last season’s frontcourt rotation," Pina wrote.
This is certainly hyperbole, but Randle definitely raises the team's floor and provides the roster with another primary scorer.
The "warts" Pina speaks of can be worked through with the other ball handlers taking some of the pressure of Randle.
At times during his time in Minnesota, Randle's ball dominance turned into bad looks and ill-advised drives.
But, with Porter, Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin providing spacing on the outside, Randle should find open driving lanes.
Since arriving in Brooklyn, Randle has been extremely positive about his new situation, saying that he believes this year's squad will exceed the expectations surrounding them.
If Randle can play at an All-Star level, he could become the second player, joining Michael Ray Richardson, to earn an All-Star Game nod with the Nets and New York Knicks.
Pina also mentioned Day'Ron Sharpe, who is stepping into his first season as a full-time starter.
"The frontcourt seems thin (and is), but lineups that feature MPJ, Randle, and Day’Ron Sharpe shouldn’t have an issue rebounding the ball," Pina wrote.
With Nic Claxton being moved to acquire Randle, Sharpe becomes the team's primary interior defender and rebounder.
Last season, Sharpe excelled in his bench role, averaging 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists per 36 minutes.
While these number are far-fetched expectations for this upcoming year, Sharpe should be ready for his increased minutes.
If the Nets can get their backcourt clicking with Randle and Porter, the team could be a surprise out East.
