Brooklyn Nets: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season
By Alec Liebsch
4. Swings and misses on prospects
As is the case with all sports, a team is not going to hit on every single young player it inherits. For this reason, getting upset over a few busts here and there is a futile ordeal. This is why the concept of busted youngsters is only fourth on the list.
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However, such busts are still disheartening to see. These players worked their butts off to make the best of themselves, and for a few, it didn’t amount to much.
The most notable case of a bust was Jahlil Okafor, a midseason newcomer who was traded to Brooklyn for practically nothing. It made sense for the Nets to incur youngsters and an asset for an expiring contract, because the potential outcomes were only positive. Unfortunately Okafor did not pan out, for the exact same reasons he did not succeed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Nik Stauskas, the other player from that trade, can also be chalked up as an L. He made 3-point shots on occasion, but his defense was atrocious, making him useless if he wasn’t shooting well. The trade as a whole can now be boiled down to simply Trevor Booker for a second round pick, which is still a clear win for the Nets.
It was disappointing to see these players flunk, but it was also somewhat expected. The upcoming points were much more culpable for the season’s overall bleakness.