Nets’ Wolf Must Improve as Rim Finisher in 2nd Year

The Brooklyn Nets are searching for one other member of the Flatbush Five to break out and develop into a rotational player on a crowded young roster.

Egor Dëmin's improvement as a downhill scorer helped him look like one of the best players on the floor in the summer league. He is the first to break out, although not officially, and there's room for one more to join him.

Danny Wolf is part of the Flatbush Five, selected with the 27th pick in last year's draft. He is the group's lone forward, which naturally gives him an advantage in emerging as the second contributor, as the rest are guards.

Wolf arguably had the second-best rookie season behind Dëmin, averaging 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 57 games.

The 22-year-old did struggle to shoot efficiently from the field (40.5%) and from three-point range (32.2%), and that should be his focus this offseason. He recorded more rim attempts than 66% of the league, but shot better than 17% of players.

His shot diet is similar to a center's, and at 6-foot-11, efficiency shouldn't be a concern when in the restricted area.

Wolf has focused on improving those skills in the offseason, working with skills trainer Zach Gonzales. He's also played in several players-only runs at the new PLYRS UNTD performance center in Los Angeles, California.

Brooklyn played Wolf at power forward and sometimes center, and new competition has rolled into the fray due to an active offseason. General manager Sean Marks traded for Julius Randle, a starting power forward, and signed a backup center in Moritz Wagner.

Experienced veterans manning those positions ahead of him make it imperative for the 22-year-old to make the most of his opportunities in training camp and limited minutes in the regular season.

The Nets likely aren't easing him into the season like they did last year when he played in the G League. His time with the Long Island Nets helped his March ascension, when he averaged 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 22.8 minutes, but that won't be the case a year later.

Wolf, like the rest of the Flatbush Five, has an important sophomore year ahead. He's on a young, experienced, crowded roster where most players are fighting for their future.

He's part of a less crowded position, and he should maximize his practice sessions with Gonzales and pickup games against other pros to sharpen his skill set.