Will Nets See C Sharpe Attempt Jumpers in 2026-27?

Day'Ron Sharpe may be primed for a breakout season for the Brooklyn Nets, leaping from the bench into a starting role.

Sharpe naturally rose on the center depth chart after Brooklyn acquired Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team trade on June 29. Nicolas Claxton, Brooklyn's previous starter and longest-tenured player, got dealt to the Chicago Bulls as part of the deal.

The 24-year-old has been working out this offseason to prepare for the starting role, and one workout video could suggest an improvement in his skill set.

Tyreek Dupree, a player development coach, posted a social media video of Sharpe doing various shooting drills. He did a variation of pull-up and side-step jumpers while focusing on balance.

Shooting is the least explored skill in the 6-foot-10 center's game, and extending his range could make him a more versatile scorer.

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 on the rare occasion. That foundation gives him a path upward to develop his jump shot, and he's taking initiative in the offseason.

Brooklyn hasn't had a floor-spacing big man since Brook Lopez left in the 2017 offseason. Lopez shot 34.6% on 5.4 attempts in the 2016-17 season, his first season showing a new and improved jump shot.

Sharpe's potential as a floor spacer gives his teammates, Mikel Brown Jr. and Julius Randle, more room to work with in isolation or the pick-and-roll. He'd give the offense another layer of versatility it's missing at center.

Improvement as a three-point shooter is great, but Sharpe shouldn't become obsessed with taking jumpers.

He's one of the best offensive rebounders, generating nearly three extra possessions over the last three seasons. Sharpe also ended the season with the highest career offensive rebounding percentage in NBA history (18.3%, surpassing legends Dennis Rodman and Jayson Williams.

Sharpe could be a key piece of the Nets' success next season, combining his offensive rebounding prowess with a new and improved jump shot.

He's been a backup since he was drafted in 2021 and will now anchor Brooklyn's frontcourt next to Randle. Sharpe continues to make strides in his development, and he's doing so on a team-friendly deal, recently signing a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason.