Brooklyn Nets: 2016-17 Season Outlook
2016-17 Roster
Bojan Bodganovic, G
Brook Lopez, C
Jeremy Lin, G
Luis Scola, F
Randy Foye, G
Caris LeVert, G
Joe Harris, G
Yogi Ferrell, G
Beau Beech, G
Offseason Additions
Jeremy Lin (Free agent, Charlotte Hornets), Trevor Booker (Free agent, Utah Jazz), Isaiah Whitehead (No. 42 overall draft pick, Seton Hall University), Luis Scola (Free Agent, Toronto Raptors), Greivis Vasquez (Free agent, Milwaukee Bucks), Justin Hamilton (Free agent, Europe), Randy Foye (Free Agent, Oklahoma City Thunder), Caris LeVert (No. 20th overall draft pick, University of Michigan), Anthony Bennett (Free Agent, Toronto Raptors), Joe Harris (Free Agent, Orlando Magic), Yogi Ferrell (Undrafted free agent, Indiana University), Beau Beech (Undrafted free agent, University of North Florida), Egidijus Mockevicius (Undrafted free agent, University of Evansville)
Offseason Subtractions
Wayne Ellington (Free agent, Miami Heat), Jarrett Jack (Free Agent, Atlanta Hawks), Shane Larkin (Free agent, Spain), Sergey Karasev (Free Agent, Russia), Donald Sloan (Free agent, China), Markel Brown (Free Agent, Cavaliers camp invite), Thaddeus Young (Trade, Indiana Pacers), Willie Reed (Free Agent, Miami Heat), Thomas Robinson (Unsigned), Henry Sims (Unsigned)
Quick Thoughts
It is clear what direction the Nets are heading in. After a disappointing 2016 campaign, the team is in a full rebuild effort. This was most evident after Brooklyn traded Thaddeus Young to Indiana for a first round draft pick (Caris LeVert) in return.
With that said, the Nets will be entering training camp with 11 players with three seasons or less of experience. The goal with this roster is to find the diamond in the rough. Each player on the team has the potential to be good, but it will be a process to find that special player the Nets are in need of. All eyes will be on Bojan Bogdanvic, Sean Kilpatrick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Caris LeVert, Chris McCullough, Isaiah Whitehead, and even Anthony Bennett. Without a doubt, each player will be given their opportunity to shine. The real mystery is, who will seize the moment?
As for the veterans on the team, the Nets still have their foundation piece, Brook Lopez. They also brought in Jeremy Lin to fill the void left by Jarrett Jack. Luis Scola and Randy Foye were brought in to provide veteran leadership. As for Greivis Vasquez and Trever Booker, they will provide the Nets with depth and experience at their respective positions.
Considering all the extra money the Nets had this offseason, signing veterans just for locker room presence was a smart move. But in doing so, they created another problem. Due to all the guards drafted and signed this offseason, the Nets now have a crowded back court. This will force players like Isaiah Whitehead, Joe Harris, and Yogi Ferrell to spend time in the D-League. Even with those players in the D-League, Brooklyn still has to split up time between Lin, Vasquez, Foye, Bogdanovic, Kilpatrick, and LeVert.
Next: Expectations