Brooklyn Nets: Assessing the core following the Kyrie Irving injury

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets look on during their game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on January 18, 2020 in 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) /

5 of 5

(Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The best of the rest

The Brooklyn Nets have done well to lock in the rest of a playoff core already. They have team options on Garrett Temple and Theo Pinson for next season, giving them experience and versatility with one and young potential in the other. The final player locked in long-term is Taurean Prince, who the team traded for this summer and extended in October.

Prince has started every game this season for the team and is averaged a solid 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in under 30 minutes per game. Like Harris, Prince is a solid role player who will fit well alongside the stars and is able to get spot starts when needed should they add another starting frontcourt player.

Positional versatility is essential for this team as well as health. It is hard to imagine a season going worse for them from an injury perspective and the playoff seasoning their young players get this year will be invaluable both to hone a contender and gauge the trade market.

Title contention is not in the cards this season and it likely never was. But do not sell your Brooklyn Nets stock just yet. Very soon, they should be on the rise.

Next. What to watch from all 30 teams in the second half. dark

Home/Brooklyn Nets