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Embrace the Brooklyn Nets’ Future of Whitehead, Hollis-Jefferson, and LeVert

By Sean Costello

Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) looks to pass as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) looks to pass as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) tries to defend during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre.The Toronto Raptors won 132-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) tries to defend during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre.The Toronto Raptors won 132-113. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert

With the 23rd pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. The 6-foot-7 swingman out of the University of Arizona was then traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mason Plumlee and Notre Dame’s Pat Connaughton. Hollis-Jefferson immediately brought something Brooklyn had been missing since their days in New Jersey, a gritty, defensive-minded wing player.

RELATED STORY: How RHJ Can Turn His Season Around

Since then, Hollis-Jefferson has been highly regarded by many in the league, but suffered a major injury early into the 2015-16 season, which led to him missing 50+ games. He has had some big performances since then, but still needs to work a little bit harder on his offensive game and finding a shot that works for him. Until then, he still can affect the game with his defense and never-give-up mentality. After all, that’s what the Nets need if they don’t want to end the season as the NBA’s worst defensive team.

On March 22, 2016, Caris LeVert found himself in New York City, not for a workout with either the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets, not even for basketball or anything related to that matter. For the third time in 22 months, LeVert had another surgical procedure done to his left foot. This dropped his draft stock exponentially.

RELATED STORY: Could LeVert Participate in Rising Stars Challenge?

At the time, he was projected as second round pick shortly after the injury and surgery occurred. Brooklyn ended up selecting him with the 20th pick of the NBA Draft, but it was unclear how far exactly LeVert would drop due to his history of injuries he had suffered while at the University of Michigan.

10 months later, we’ve seen LeVert playing exceptionally well, and LeVert is beginning to gain a bigger role. On Friday, January 20, in a 143-114 road win in New Orleans, LeVert had arguably his best game in a Brooklyn Nets uniform, scoring 17 points to go along with five rebounds and six assists in 24 minutes of play.

The Michigan product also shot a remarkable 100 percent from the field, behind the arc, and the free-throw line. Without a doubt, this was a performance that excited Nets fans for what is to come from someone the Nets consider the future of their franchise.