Pros/cons of Brooklyn Nets targeting Carmelo Anthony in NBA free agency

Cons of the Brooklyn Nets targeting Carmelo Anthony in 2022 NBA free agency

Although the idea of adding a household veteran like Carmelo Anthony could be an enticing move for the Brooklyn Nets, there are also some concerns.

First and foremost, the Nets need to specifically target defensive-minded players this offseason, given how much their issues on that end plagued them this year. Brooklyn had the 20th-ranked defensive rating during the regular season at 112.3, which hindered their success.

In the playoffs, this issue was also on display, as they had the second-worst defensive rating out of anyone and could not stop the Boston Celtics to any extent on that end of the floor.

With Durant, Irving, Seth Curry, and others on the roster, the Nets have players that can score, and though the added boost off the bench from someone like Anthony would not hurt, bulking up their defense should be the front office’s top priority.

As they aim to shore up their defensive personnel through free agency, trades, or whatever other avenues, one player that does not fit whatsoever is Anthony. The star has always been seen as a negative player on that side of the ball, and he would worsen Brooklyn’s defensive issues as they look to rebound from an abysmal 2021-22 season.

Anthony’s less than stellar play defensively would have to be at the forefront of Brooklyn’s mind in this situation, and that may cause some issues when pondering whether to sign him.