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Brooklyn Nets: 3 reasons reaching the playoffs isn’t farfetched

By Zackery Rogers

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Spencer Dinwiddie #8, Jared Dudley #6, and Joe Harris #12 of the Brooklyn Nets react after a basket is made by Dinwiddie during the first quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on January 9, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Spencer Dinwiddie #8, Jared Dudley #6, and Joe Harris #12 of the Brooklyn Nets react after a basket is made by Dinwiddie during the first quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on January 9, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images /

The Brooklyn Nets find themselves a game under .500 after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 116-100 Wednesday night at home. Here’s why they could reach the playoffs this year.

Wednesday night, the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 19-point deficit behind the concerted effort of D’Angelo Russell. Right now, the Nets find themselves in the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference at 21-22.

With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, the Nets’ front office should be ecstatic about their current situation.

Obviously, no one in the NBA is exempt from being traded, with the rare exceptions being superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. However, Brooklyn surprisingly doesn’t need to force any trades in order to compete this season.

Most fans expected the Atlantic Division team to tank and enter the Zion Williamson sweepstakes. Fortunately, Nets’ head coach Kenny Atkinson is challenging his team to compete at a high level nightly.

This season, Atkinson has focused on developing his young talent and core. Brooklyn’s core includes Russell (an impending restricted free agent), Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Spencer Dinwiddie. In addition to the core, rookie Rodions Kurucs has stepped up for the Nets, averaging 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Another positive take for Brooklyn is its flexibility in cap space. As of now, the team’s highest-paid player on the roster is Dinwiddie, who recently signed a three-year extension in December.

With open cap space and trade assets, the Nets have a bright future and a chance to sign a max player this summer. Right now, Brooklyn also has a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2014-15 season. Here are three reasons why the idea of the Brooklyn Nets reaching the postseason isn’t farfetched.

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