Nothin' But Nets
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Five Players The Brooklyn Nets Should Keep

By Charles Daye

Jan 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts with the team during the third quarter against Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center. Sixers win 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts with the team during the third quarter against Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center. Sixers win 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3, right) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3, right) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Caris LeVert

Acquired after the Nets traded Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers for the 20th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Caris LeVert is seemingly highly regarded within the Nets organization. LeVert was once considered a lottery pick coming out of Michigan, but injuries dropped his standing in the draft.

RELATED STORY: Two Reasons LeVert Will Succeed in the NBA

Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 203 pounds, the 22-year-old is the ideal prospect for the offense Kenny Atkinson is trying to run in Brooklyn. His strengths coming out of college included his versatile offense and defensive potential. LeVert can play the shooting guard and small forward position but also run the point in the offense to set up his teammates, and the Nets plan to use him as such.

LeVert made an impact in his debut. While he failed to score a single point, he stole the ball three times and grabbed four rebounds in his first nine NBA minutes. Since then, he has shown aggression driving to the basket and good shot selection when shooting from deep.

RELATED STORY: Patience, LeVert Will Be a Good Player Soon Enough

The former Michigan Wolverine scored his career-high 19 points in 27 minutes against the defending champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though the Nets lost the game, LeVert was the bright spot, as he showed fearless defense and his willingness to make plays on offense.

Short of receiving an unprotected first round pick somewhere in the top ten or top five, it is hard to imagine that Sean Marks would trade his first draft pick as general manger of the Brooklyn Nets. Less than 20 games into his NBA career, LeVert is averaging 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and more steals than turnovers in 16.9 minutes per game.