It has not been a good offseason for the Brooklyn Nets. After watching their superstar trio of James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant go up in smoke before they ever really had a chance to get going, Durant then spent most of the summer trying to force a trade.
Even after dropping his demands, his offseason antics will likely have long-lasting effects. Then there’s Irving, who has displayed plenty of contrary tendencies over the course of his puzzling career. He’ll be back too, further adding to the Nets’ volatility.
Underneath all of the drama surrounding the Brooklyn Nets, there exists a roster with three superstars.
The Brooklyn Nets have a team that has the chance to make some noise in a much improved Eastern Conference. That said, last season’s postseason flameout, against the Boston Celtics in the first round, is an indicator that success is not guaranteed despite having Durant and Irving.
But it is also not a reason to wave the white flag either. The Nets are still incredibly talented and, if they can get out of their own way, they can actually contend in the East.
Brooklyn Nets Prediction #3: Kyrie Irving is a model teammate
It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But just because Irving has a long list of issues that have put him at loggerheads with teammates and previous employers, does not mean he can’t turn over a new leaf. After all, the issues surrounding vaccination status are no longer something that could hamper an entire season, as they did with Irving before.
Other players aren’t vaccinated either, and while they may not have been as vocal about it, Irving is in the same boat as them. He may be more outspoken on social issues, and that is great, but putting some daylight between Covid and Irving’s ability to play basketball will be a welcome development.
From another perspective, perhaps the demands of Durant have had a sobering effect on Irving. If Durant’s trade requests weren’t listened to, then wouldn’t it serve Irving to keep his head down and focus on making the Brooklyn Nets a better team? To be fair to Irving, any rumors of him going to the Los Angeles Lakers have never really been fanned by him.
Whether or not Durant stays, the best thing a 30-year-old Irving can do is lead the Nets as close to a championship as possible. In doing so, his trade value, and value in general, would rise, which could then ironically lead to him getting traded if that’s what he wants in the future.
But with plenty of veterans on the roster who want to win and exemplary professionals like Patty Mills, Irving averaging over 20 points and close to 10 assists per contest while encouraging the younger guys in the group would be such a welcome boost both for the team and the player. There is no reason this can’t happen, as Irving has been exactly this in the past.
Brooklyn Nets Prediction #2: Ben Simmons is an All-Star
Now we’re getting weird. Ben Simmons, who was traded to the Nets in the move that bagged the Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden, has never played for the franchise. It is unclear when he will play again, as everything from back issues to his mentality towards the game itself being questioned, to making sure he got the money he was owed by the 76ers from his contract, has come up instead.
But what if Simmons is ready to go on opening night? It’s been forgotten about now, but if the roster stays the same, Simmons would be the third-best player. That would mean less pressure than he faced while in Philadelphia, with two co-stars in Irving and Durant who will always dominate the headlines anyway.
You can argue Joel Embiid did exactly that while Simmons was with the 76ers, but the fit between the two (both on the court and in terms of their glaringly different personalities) was under the microscope from year one. But let’s look at some of the facts to back up a prediction that right now looks outrageous.
Simmons has been an All-Star three times already in his career. He is 26 and only entering his prime. He has made an All-Defensive team twice. He was the Rookie of the Year. He also has career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game in 275 games to date.
If you take out the capitulation in the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, that is a guy who you would bet on having more success in regular season situations. Say what you want about the postseason, because right now there is no defense of Simmons, but he can absolutely be an All-Star again. He’s in the perfect place and being asked to do exactly what he’s good at. Look at all he’s achieved while in a different, less comfortable situation.
Brooklyn Nets Prediction #1. They make the NBA Finals
The Nets making the NBA Finals would be a turnaround for the ages, but they have far more than just the Celtics to worry about in the East. They’d need All-Star level seasons from Durant and Irving, and a return to some sort of form for Simmons. A seasoned head coach would need to be in control, and Seth Curry would have to be as electric as we know he is from deep.
In fact, the Nets can build off of their 3-point shooting and offensive rating (117.9, seventh in the league after the All-Star break, 15 days after they traded Harden). After all, they have Durant, who’s the best player in the league at bailing his team out of bad possessions, and Irving is not far behind.
If Joe Harris comes back healthy, he’s a fabulous 3-point shooter (46.6 percent on 6.3 attempts in his last full year), and that can be used when Curry is off the court. Alternatively, playing both in tandem could truly blow opponents away. The Nets could hit a rarified offensive air, and it may power them to the NBA Finals, with Harris potentially being their x-factor.
However, if needed, they could always trade Harris for more defensive help. That said, they already acquired Royce O’Neale earlier in the offseason. He’ll be a huge help defensively, and he and Nic Claxton can help the Nets get away from relying on Blake Griffin and other older players. As could T.J. Warren and Cam Thomas, especially during the regular season.