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Brooklyn Nets: 2017-18 NBA season preview

By Josh Cornelissen

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Jarrett Allen of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Jarrett Allen of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

2017-18 Roster

Quincy Acy, PF
Jarrett Allen, C
Trevor Booker, PF
DeMarre Carroll, SF
Allen Crabbe, SG
Spencer Dinwiddie, PG
Milton Doyle, SG
Joe Harris, PG/SG
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF/PF
Sean Kilpatrick, SG
Caris LeVert, SG
Jeremy Lin, PG
Timofey Mozgov, C
Yakuba Ouattara, SG
D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG
Jeremy Senglin, SG
Isaiah Whitehead, PG/SG
Jake Wiley, SF
Tyler Zeller, C

Offseason Additions

Jarrett Allen (No. 22 overall pick, Texas), DeMarre Carroll (traded from Toronto Raptors), Allen Crabbe (traded from Portland Trail Blazers), Milton Doyle (undrafted free agent, Loyola IL), Timofey Mozgov (traded from Los Angeles Lakers), Yakuba Ouattara (two-way contract), D’Angelo Russell (traded from Los Angeles Lakers), Jeremy Senglin (undrafted free agent, Weber State), Jake Wiley (two-way contract), Tyler Zeller (free agent, Boston Celtics)

Offseason Subtractions

Justin Hamilton (traded to Toronto Raptors), Brook Lopez (traded to Los Angeles Lakers), K.J. McDaniels (free agent, signed with Toronto Raptors), Andrew Nicholson (traded to Portland Trail Blazers)

Quick Hits

The Brooklyn Nets are a team with a roster constantly in flux. With very few high-talent players the Nets are seeking to take less-than-perfect players and turn them into a more cohesive team. Head coach Kenny Atkinson and his efficiency-based system aims at elevating the talent of a roster.

That is not to say that there isn’t talent on this roster, because there certainly is. D’Angelo Russell is still brimming with potential, the kind of player with an All-Star ceiling especially now that he plays in the Eastern Conference. As players such as Kyle Lowry and Isaiah Thomas age out of the conversation, Russell could be set to take their place.

Of course there is significant downside as well, but every player on the Nets is some combination of the two. Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert are recent first round picks of the team, and both could become capable starters. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could be one of the league’s best defenders at combo forward. Allen Crabbe is a sharpshooter from long range.

The problem is that outside of Russell, no player has star upside. Isaiah Whitehead, Sean Kilpatrick, DeMarre Carroll — these are players who have played significant roles for the team or will this upcoming season. No one in the last two paragraphs projects as a top-25 player in the league, even in best-case scenarios. If Russell doesn’t hit, this team doesn’t have a star.

In a star-driven league, that means that Brooklyn’s time in the desert could be even longer than expected.

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