NBA: Ranking the league's best third options

NBA: Ranking the league’s best third options

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 15, 2021 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Bulls 105-91.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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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LaMarcus Aldridge (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

NBA: Ranking the league’s best third options: 21. LaMarcus Aldridge, Brooklyn Nets

We all know who’s the best player for the Brooklyn Nets. Kevin Durant would probably be the number one option on every team in the league right now. And that isn’t hyperbole either.

Before the season kicked off, there would’ve been legitimate debate surrounding who would be the Nets second option. But, with Irving basically out of the league until he decides to get vaccinated, Harden seemed like the clear-cut choice. And while we still believe he’s the Nets second-best option offensively, he hasn’t played up to snuff.

Harden has been lethargic, slow, and flat-out apathetic for the Nets this year but he is averaging a shade under 20 points and still has his moments.

LaMarcus Aldridge, somewhat surprisingly, has become their third-best player offensively. He’s currently averaging 11.6 points per game. It may not seem like much but as of late, the former multiple-time All-Star has figured things out. He’s put together a number of games where he’s scored at least 20 points.

He isn’t the player he once was in Portland or even with San Antonio but his midrange jumper is still butter.