NBA: 2019-20 Eastern Conference playoff projections

4. Brooklyn Nets

People aren’t expecting all that much from the Brooklyn Nets this season with newly-acquired Kevin Durant likely missing the entire year but even without KD, this Nets team is nothing to scoff at.

Say what you want about how Kyrie Irving’s time in Boston finished but at the end of the day, he still led them to 49 wins and the conference semifinals as the de facto offensive leader. Now, he wasn’t without his flaws (especially when it came to his leadership) but if he can learn from some of them, we could be in store for Kyrie’s best season yet!

And then you go on down the roster and you can see why there’s cause for optimism for Nets fans.

Caris LeVert appears to be on the verge of a breakout and as the number two option, he could be competing for an all-star spot.

Spencer Dinwiddie is one of the best sixth men in basketball and should provide a much-needed scoring boost off the bench.

Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan are both starting-caliber centers and since they won’t play a whole lot together, Brooklyn should have a stellar rim protector in the game at all times.

And then there are other guys like Joe Harris and Taurean Prince who provide floor-spacing and depth. And under coach Kenny Atkinson, that should be enough to win at least 46-plus games.