Hoops Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Brooklyn Nets
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

Storyline 3: Every win matters more to the Cleveland Cavaliers

When Sean Marks took over as general manager of the Brooklyn Nets, he had to deal not only with the present realities of the roster but the future limitations as well. In pursuing contention at all costs, Marks’ predecessor mortgaged the future in handing out first round picks and pick swaps.

The final major piece of that era will come to rest next June, when the Brooklyn Nets watch another team pick in the lottery instead of them. The last two seasons that has meant watching the Boston Celtics add Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum — two players the Nets would love to have in their building.

This season the Nets’ first round pick is owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers, traded from Boston as part of a package for All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. As much as the Nets want to have the focus on their team’s growth and the exciting things happening in their organization, the national narrative will instead be on how the Nets’ play affects the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The league belongs to LeBron James, and even compelling storylines elsewhere will not eclipse the pull of all news items even mildly related to James. Every game that Brooklyn loses improves the value of the pick, and every game they win decreases it. While LeBron’s decision to stay in Cleveland shouldn’t be tied to a future pick, it’s also important to the franchise should they need to replace him next summer.

Barring an unexpected surge into playoff contention, this will be the most-discussed Brooklyn narrative this season. Not D’Angelo Russell, not an improvement from last year, not about the off-court steps the organization is taking to better maintain a healthy team. Instead it will be about LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers and a pick traded years ago.

Home/Brooklyn Nets