Brooklyn Nets: After winning free agency, let’s not crown the Nets just yet

After winning free agency this summer, let’s slow down on crowning the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have experienced quite the roller coaster of emotions over the last 10 years as a franchise and a fan base. It used to be a well-known fact that they were the little brother to the New York Knicks and MSG. It seems now that we’re in the totally opposite situation, where the more prominent franchise has taken a dip and now it’s Brooklyn’s turn to take over.

Before we hand over the 2021 NBA Title to them, though, we should consider a few things. The Nets have a little history of signing overvalued and aging free agents. Even making atrocious trades to get them while mortgaging their future in the process. Did they honestly think they’d compete for a title with that Kevin Garnett, that Paul Pierce, or that D Williams?

First and foremost, let’s just go ahead and state that the team as presently constructed would not win a championship, this is assuming a healthy KD and everyone else as well, they still need help. Kyrie and Kevin Durant have both shown that ideally, they’re second options.

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Although, KD is highly debatable because in the right circumstances he can definitely be your best player. Paired with just Kyrie though? I don’t think that’s enough star power, they would need one more very prominent player or at least an elite depth chart.

There are other factors outside of basketball to consider in the duo you brought in as well. Kyrie can sometimes seem like a volatile person that causes some factions between team relationships, and he’s also talked about retiring early. Obviously, he doesn’t want to right now, but you and I both know he would be the type to just do it out of nowhere.

Aside from him, KD brings even worse issues, I mean when will he play again? When he does play, how long will it take him to be KD, or will he ever be able to average 28 again?

Personalities, age, health, management of the resources available, all of these things could conspire to derail Brooklyn’s aspirations. That’s not to knock them for their attempt, though. I mean what are they supposed to do, not sign KD and Kyrie given the chance? Of course not, if two players of that caliber come along you sign the papers. My thesis is simply that we should be cautious, and that this isn’t the end goal for the Nets.

Not all is negative, though, and we should counter our cynicism with rational optimism. The Nets not only signed two top 20 players but also did a lot more too. They unloaded bad money and in return got a young asset in TP from the Hawks, they’ve drafted well in recent years, and they sign competent role players.

One thing that can’t be overlooked is the development of Caris LeVert. He showed flashes of being a legitimate scoring option at either the 2 or 3 spot, has a consistent jumper and a handle to match which means he’s not just a spot up shooter. When I said they needed another prominent player alongside those two, LeVert could be that dude in a couple of years.

Overall, they’ve been shrewd and properly frugal with their decisions. They didn’t bet the house on two older big name players, they simply signed them in FA with money that had to be spent anyway. This is a calculated risk that doesn’t hurt them at all even if they never get out of the east with them.

They showed that it’s a desirable destination with competent management, and that should do nothing but help in the future. Ultimately this season won’t be a title run, but it will be fun. Hopefully, within the next three years, they bring one home.