Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are becoming building blocks

Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are becoming building blocks for the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets haven’t made the playoffs since the 2014-15 season. And while they’ve been in pursuit of a return to the playoffs, the Nets have also been in search of players to build around; Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are establishing themselves as building blocks.

In his first two seasons in the association, LeVert was an intriguing two-way player for the Nets, but this season he’s become a focal point of head coach Kenny Atkinson’s offense. Going into the Nets’ Saturday night matchup against the Golden State Warriors, LeVert was averaging 20.3 points per game on a career-high 48.7 percent shooting from the field. Whether it be playing in isolation, attacking the rack, or finishing off fastbreaks, LeVert has been a vital and irreplaceable source of offense.

On the other end of the floor, he’s a competent defender. He plays at a high level in one-on-one sets and defends the perimeter well. LeVert’s two-way play is arguably the most encouraging development for the Nets.

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Allen has also turned some heads. Last season, he provided a presence in the paint on both ends, but did so coming off the bench for 41 of the 72 games he played. This season, Atkinson has started Allen in every game, and it’s paying dividends.

While he’s only averaging 6.4 more minutes per game this season (Allen averaged 20 minutes a night last season), Allen has been productive in the playing time he’s been allocated. Averaging 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, he’s imposed his will on both ends.

Allen is a defensive backbone for the Nets. He’s one of the best shot blockers in the NBA, can hit the boards, and is hard to shoot over. His ability to redirect shots and be a force in the paint on that end is helping make the Nets a more defensive-savvy unit. And while he doesn’t have a consistent offensive game, Allen can play above the rim and finish inside when need be.

To go along with the play of LeVert and Allen, the Nets are getting perimeter shooting from Joe Harris. Averaging a career-high 14 points per game and shooting an NBA-best 57.8 percent from beyond the arc, Harris has been a sniper for Atkinson’s offense.

Meanwhile, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues to provide an athletic two-way presence, and rookie Rodions Kurucs is averaging seven points per game and shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

A go-to scorer, a two-way force in the paint, and a number of high-energy wings are in place. So, what’s missing in this project? That would be a franchise point guard. While D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie have been productive over the last two seasons, it’s unclear whether they’re a part of general manager Sean Marks‘ long-term vision. Instead, a pursuit of a point guard, among other positions, on the free agent market could be the suitable course of action for the Nets.

Right now, the Nets are slated to have roughly $65 million in cap space next summer – which is the most in the NBA. That should be enough to sign two max free agents, or three players to $20 million-plus contracts apiece. When it comes to max players, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker will likely test the free agent waters. Goran Dragic, Khris Middleton, Terry Rozier, Harrison Barnes, Tobias Harris, Julius Randle, and Nikola Mirotic will likely join those players in what will be a stacked free agent class.

For the sake of argument, say the Nets can sign Thompson or Walker – pitching that they can be their offensive focal point – and ink two players from that second group, they could be a 45-50 win team.

With the addition of two-to-three second-tier-to-star players, the Nets are a deeper and more well-rounded team. And when considering how LeVert and Allen haven’t hit their ceilings, you can’t help but wonder whether the Nets could be even better down the road. Plus, given the way they’re playing with little to no free agent signings or trade acquisitions from other teams, free agents could view the Nets as a stable situation to join and take to the next level.

Every year, the notion creates itself that the Eastern Conference will improve and finally have eight playoff teams who are legitimate playoff teams and not ones with a record below, or just above, .500; and it never holds true. The East has not seriously improved, as a whole, this decade, and the bottom of the conference is up for grabs every year; right now, the Nets are looking like they could make the playoffs, despite being 6-7.

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The Nets are playing competitive basketball and look much different from years past, despite little roster change. But the biggest reason for that collective play is the production of their new go-to scorer and defensive anchor.

Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen are helping the Brooklyn Nets turn the corner.

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