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Brooklyn Nets’ Rebuild in Early Stages of “The Process”

By Christian Milcos

Jan 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Sixers win 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Sixers win 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) shoots as Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) defends during the third quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers won the game 108-107. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) shoots as Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) defends during the third quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers won the game 108-107. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

When Will Things Start Turning Around For Brooklyn?

The question is: when will a player of this caliber come the Nets way? The most likely answer to this question is the 2019 draft. With no incentive for a big name free agent to sign with the Nets and low round draft picks, the chances of a franchise-changing player coming to Brooklyn before 2019 are very slim.

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However, with a Spurs alum running the team, the possibility of landing a gem late in the first round will always be present. Spurs general manager and Marks’ superior in San Antonio, R.C. Buford, has selected Kyle Anderson with the 30th pick, Cory Joseph with the 29th pick and Kawhi Leonard, who was drafted 15th and acquired via trade soon after, in recent years.

In looking at potential franchise cornerstones who Marks could target in the 2019 NBA Draft, several early candidates look promising. NBAdraftroom.com projects Marvin Bagley as a “top prospect of this generation.” The site also notes Moses Brown, a 7-foot-1 New York product and Kostas Antetokounmpo, Giannis’ younger brother, as top prospects who could enter the 2019 NBA Draft. While these rankings are subject to change significantly in the next two years, landing a Embiid-level talent in the 2019 NBA Draft would be a huge stepping stone in Brooklyn’s version of “The Process.”

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It would be inept not to mention Ben Simmons, as the sky is the limit for him. He possesses a unique skillset for a 6-foot-10 forward that includes superb ball handling and passing abilities. However, the jury is still out on him due a serious foot injury and limitations in the shooting department.

In relation to the Nets version of “The Process,” as previously mentioned, this method will take several years in order to build up the stock of assets that the Sixers have. It will take multiple lottery picks (when Brooklyn controls its own) and many years of development to reach the point that Philadelphia hit this year where they have multiple potential future All-Stars.