17. Brooklyn Nets
Through the first six games this season, I think it’s safe to say that the Brooklyn Nets have pretty much been the team everyone expected them to be. They’re scrappy and have shown signs of being so much more, but they also still clearly need some more development. They probably also need another difference-maker or two to be a real threat in the Eastern Conference. What makes this team particularly interesting is the emergence of Cam Thomas this season.
Through the first handful of games, Thomas has interestingly been the Nets’ leading scorer. He’s averaging 26 points and four rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting from the field. The big question for the Nets and Thomas revolves around the sustainability of this early-season outburst and whether this is actually a good thing for Brooklyn.
In fairness, with Cameron Johnson missing five of the first six games, Thomas’ scoring prowess has truly helped keep the Nets above water.