As the Brooklyn Nets embark on a new NBA season, the atmosphere is charged with both hope and uncertainty. With significant roster changes and a young core, Adam Armbrecht and Doug Norrie discuss the projected win total and trade potential, and the elusive “core-construction” for the Nets long-term rebuild.
The Nets’ win total is set at a modest 19.5, a figure that reflects not only the roster construction, but also the expected transition from veteran players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson to second-year talents like Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson.While the number seems bleak, fans should remember what the agenda is for the 2024-25 season: develop young players, and lose a ton of games. That said, your Locked On Nets hosts are split here, where I am willing to squint the Nets to 20-22 wins, while Doug takes the under.
When it comes to trades, we set the over/under at 2.5, understanding that there are a handful of appealing veteran players that playoff teams would love to add. Once the Nets get through their expected slow start, we could see a flurry of trade activity aimed at reshaping the team’s future. Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schroder and Shake Million to varying degrees - will all be a part the trade-block speculation.
The Nets are at a crossroads. Yes, the team is likely to struggle early and yes, the Nets will want to trade veteran players at the deadline. Ultimately, finding trade partners that have the assets and salary-matching contracts will determine how many moves Brooklyn makes. Doug waffled a bit here but still landed on under 2.5 trades for Brooklyn, while I am thinking full fire-sale and the over.
Another intriguing benchmark will be how many. “core players” the Nets have by the end of the season. We set the over/under 4.5 with players like Noah Clowney, Nic Claxton, Jalen Wilson, Cam Thomas and Ziaire Williams in the discussion. While it is almost automatic that Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson, fresh off his MVP Summer League performance, will be in the future core - A massive influx of talent over the next two draft classes has us wondering how “safe” Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton. truly are.
The emphasis on player development and utilization of young talent is crucial as the Nets navigate through the ups and downs of the upcoming season. In moving multiple veterans, and expanding the minutes for young players, Sean Marks should(n theory) have more answers than questions entering next off-season.
Looking ahead to the season opener against the Atlanta Hawks, the match-up sets the stage for early challenges. The duo of Simmons and Claxton is likely to start, but their fit flat out will not work. If Coach Jordy Fernandez integrates Noah Clowney into the early rotations, Brooklyn should have complimentary rotations even if they struggle to keep pace with Atlanta. A note-worthy match-up will also be how Cam Thomas plays against Trae Young defensively, and how the Hawks approach Thomas on the other end, as the clear cut best scoring option by far. I’ll take the Nets and the points, while my co-host sees a blowout coming.
