NBA Hope Index: How far is each team from a ring heading into 2017-18?

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets debuts the new jersey during the unveiling of the New NBA Partnership with Nike on September 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /

27. Brooklyn Nets

They’re sooooo close to being out of hell and at least moving back into purgatory.

Since they’ve rebooted their franchise and focused on player development and smart asset acquisition, Brooklyn has shown signs of turning into a model NBA franchise. They’ve done well to get a real, honest to goodness young asset in D’Angelo Russell, and there are a few more interesting pieces on the roster.

They’ll be bad again this year with no pick to show for it, but if Russell shows some signs, they’ll at least have a building block. It’s not inconceivable that players will start to see Brooklyn as a place they want to be. Their cap won’t clear up until 2020, but they should have two more high-lottery talents on the roster by then.

In the meantime, they’ll keep bringing along the kids and start counting the days until draft night 2019.

Path to Glory: Keep developing youth, emphasize and then resign Russell, and draft a few studs between now and 2020 when they’ll finally be able to make a splash in free agency.

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