Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Five Players Who Can Fill the Brooklyn Nets’ Open Roster Spot

By Sean Costello

Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Oct 21, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Gary Payton II (0) prepares to dunk the ball as San Antonio Spurs small forward Davis Bertans (42) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Gary Payton II (0) prepares to dunk the ball as San Antonio Spurs small forward Davis Bertans (42) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Payton II

The son of one of the greatest defensive players in NBA History, and a two-time Pac-12 defensive Player of the Year, as well as two-time Pac-12 All Defensive team honors, Gary Payton II can help the Nets in a particular area of struggle this season: defense.

MUST READ: Finding Roles For McDaniels and Nicholson

With Jeremy Lin back in the lineup for Brooklyn, their turnover problem has not been as much of an issue as it formerly was. Therefore, the transition defense hasn’t been terrible as of late, but with Payton II, they can be a lot better defensively. It’ll be interesting to see if Payton II can translate his defense from college to the NBA, but if he can, it can be a big help for a Brooklyn Nets team that has struggled on defense.

With the Nets facing guards such as Russell Westbrook, Isaiah Thomas and Devin Booker to end the season, it can be a nice way for the “Lil’ Glove” to prove he belongs in the NBA. After all, if he’s learned anything from his father, he could definitely earn himself a spot on one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams.