Adam Armbrecht here, the host of the daily Locked On Nets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
How Will The Brooklyn Nets Handle Cam Johnson’s Injury Concerns?
Brooklyn Nets: Navigating Injuries and Trade Strategies
As the Brooklyn Nets gear up to face the Phoenix Suns, the team is dealing with a series of injuries that could impact their strategy both on the court and in the trade market.
Cam Johnson’s recent injury scare, after stepping on Draymond Green’s foot, has left him questionable for the upcoming game. This incident has sparked discussions about how the Nets should approach the trade market, especially with players like Johnson who have a history of injuries.
Injury Management and Trade Implications
The Nets are no strangers to injury woes, with Cam Thomas and Noah Clowney already sidelined. The uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s availability highlights the delicate balance the team must maintain between showcasing players for potential trades and managing their health to avoid long-term setbacks.
The injury report across the NBA is extensive, and the Nets are no exception. With players like Ben Simmons returning to the lineup and others like Dorian Finney-Smith and Nicolas Claxton listed as questionable, the team must proceed with caution.
The strategy seems clear: no incentive to rush players back from injury. The risk of further injury outweighs the benefits of having them on the court, especially considering their trade value.
The Nets have been known to capitalize on players’ peak value, and the current situation with Johnson serves as a reminder of the risks involved. His history of missing games due to injuries could influence how other teams perceive his value, making it crucial for the Nets to manage his playing time wisely.
Balancing Performance and Trade Value
The start of the season has seen the Nets’ veterans logging significant minutes, with Johnson playing the most minutes per game in his career. This approach has raised their trade value, but it also increases the risk of injury.
The team must navigate this push and pull to maximize returns at the trade deadline. Players like Finney-Smith, who started slow but has since improved, and Dennis Schroeder, who has been a key contributor, have seen their stock rise.
The Nets’ performance has been surprising, with the team maintaining a competitive edge even when key players are out. Their ability to close out games, like the recent victory against the Golden State Warriors, demonstrates their resilience.
However, as they manage injuries and adjust playing time, the team’s record may start to reflect more realistic expectations.
The upcoming games against teams like Orlando, Chicago, and Milwaukee will test the Nets’ ability to maintain their current form. While they have been competitive against strong teams, the law of averages suggests that their record may eventually align with preseason expectations.
The challenge will be to continue showcasing their players’ abilities while managing the risks associated with increased playing time.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Brooklyn Nets’ strategies and challenges, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Must Read Jalen Brunson, Brooklyn Net? That could have been the case a few years ago, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis The New York Post emphasizes that building a winning culture is more crucial for the Brooklyn Nets than securing a top lottery spot, reinforcing the importance of long-term team development. Learn more.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Brooklyn Nets come back and surprise Warriors. What is happening here? The Brooklyn Nets played on the back-to-back against the Golden State Warriors, coming into the game as big underdogs. They even found themselves down 18 points in the third quarter.
Cam Thomas scores 34 and Brooklyn Nets shock Kings on the road
The Nets were without Dennis Schroder on Sunday night in Sacramento and they still found a way to get it done against a good Kings. team.
Nets open to trading Cam Thomas? Say it ain’t so Sean Marks
Recent reporting had it that the Nets would be open for business in trading all of their players, and Cam Thomas could be someone they heard offers this season.
