Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 season primer: Building their way to relevance

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets and Isaiah Whitehead #15 look on against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Barclays Center on November 29, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets and Isaiah Whitehead #15 look on against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Barclays Center on November 29, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 25: Trevor Booker #35 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his basket in the second half against the Miami Heat at the Barclays Center on January 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets 109-106. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 25: Trevor Booker #35 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his basket in the second half against the Miami Heat at the Barclays Center on January 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets 109-106. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Future 6th Man of the Year

Barring an injury to RHJ, or Atkinson deciding to make a full time commitment to running small-ball with his starting 5, Trevor Booker will probably be coming off the bench next season. While it’s the likely outcome, I’m not sure it should the desired one.

Trevor Booker played in 71 games last season, but only started in 43. If he was given consistent starter minutes, he was projected to average 14.6 PPG and 11.7 RPG. If he did indeed average those numbers last season, he would have been 1st in defensive rebounding average (amongst all positions), and tied with Nikola Vucevic for scoring average.

Oh, and he shot a decent 32.1 percent from beyond the arc last season, which is just enough to have defenses respect you.

I’m not saying that Booker is an automatic lock to win 6MOTY, but I’m not so convinced it’s a totally crazy idea.