After their headline-grabbing summer, the Nets get to work and open training camp Friday. Here’s a look at some of the issues surrounding the team:
Best position battle: Center
Power forward is in flux, but center is by far the Nets’ most hotly contested position. Incumbent Jarrett Allen and newcomer DeAndre Jordan are different body types at different stages of their careers, but are fairly evenly matched. How even? Sports Illustrated had Jordan 98th in its top-100 rankings; Allen was 97th.
Most intriguing rookie: Nic Claxton
He’s up from 193 pounds as a freshman to 220, but after leaving Georgia following his sophomore season, he’s still rail thin and not physically ready. Still, the Nets got what they saw as a top-20 talent at No. 31 in the draft. The ex-guard had a growth spurt to 6-foot-11, prompting 6-10 general manager Sean Marks to say, “When you’ve got a guy I have to look up to that can handle the ball like a point guard, that’s intriguing.”
Story to watch develop: How well does Kyrie Irving play with others?
After Irving fussed with his Celtics teammates and coaches last season, many have placed the blame for Boston’s disappointing finish at his feet. How he fits in here could either support or debunk that narrative — and form the foundation for contention with a healthy Kevin Durant next season.
Coach’s toughest challenge: Getting the team to jell
Last year, the Nets overachieved thanks to great chemistry. Now that they’ve added three All-NBA stars — but lost leaders DeMarre Carroll, Ed Davis and Jared Dudley — can Kenny Atkinson coach through unfamiliarity, injuries and suspensions to duplicate that cohesion?
Most intriguing newcomer: Taurean Prince
Spencer Dinwiddie called Prince the biggest surprise to come out of the weeks of pickup games in Los Angeles, and the young forward was the first name off Marks’ lips as well. Prince shot 39 percent and 38.5 percent from 3-point range the past two years, and could surprise in his contract year.
Most notable absence: Durant
Do we really need to explain this?
Biggest comeback: Durant/Caris LeVert
Again, if Durant returns from his ruptured Achilles tendon, he’s it. Marks said the Nets are working under the assumption Durant will miss the season, though that could be just to shape the narrative and stave off constant speculation. However, if Durant doesn’t return, LeVert getting back to 100 percent after last season’s dislocated foot qualifies.
Don’t be surprised if (good): LeVert emerges
LeVert was the Nets’ best player at the start and end of last season, averaging 18.4 points before a foot injury cost him nearly three months, and then a team-high 21.0 points in the playoffs. If he stays healthy, he could break out as a top-40 or top-50 player, and make the three-year, $52.5 million extension he signed look like a bargain.
Don’t be surprised if (bad): Brooklyn gets off to a slow start
The Nets are playing in China this preseason, and teams that do so historically suffer an early-season hangover. In the prior four years, the teams that have trekked to China played to a 42-win pace through 10 games, then a 48-win pace the rest of the way. That kind of gap (think the Nets vs. Celtics/Pacers/Spurs) can determine a playoff berth.
Could surprise and make the team: Henry Ellenson
There are 15 players with guaranteed contracts, so none of those can be considered a shock. But of the five others who will be in camp (one still open), the ex-Knick has a chance to not only make the club but also get meaningful minutes with forwards Durant (injury), Wilson Chandler (suspension) and possibly Rodions Kurucs (assault charge) all in doubt.
