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NBA: Ranking every team’s best player in 2018-19

By Josh Cornelissen

Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

28. Brooklyn Nets: DeMarre Carroll, SF

The Brooklyn Nets enter the 2018-19 season finally free from the shackles of the ill-fated Boston Celtics trade, with an eye toward regaining respectability in the eyes of the league. A busy offseason has a number of new pieces in town, but the reality is that this team is still without a star.

DeMarre Carroll is the closest thing this squad has to a best player, a solid two-way contributor who does a lot of things well but nothing at an elite level. He has the size to guard both forward positions, something he did well last season. According to ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus (RPM) statistic, Carroll was the 10th-best small forward in the league last season.

Spencer Dinwiddie deserves mention as the top challenger, as the point guard had a breakout season in the absence of the injured Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell. Fans should also keep an eye on young center Jarrett Allen, who could be recognized as an above-average starting center as early as this season.