Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 player previews: Tyler Zeller

NEW YORK, USA – NOVEMBER 24: Sean Kilpatrick (6) of Brooklyn Nets in action against Tyler Zeller

The Brooklyn Nets’ offseason was a successful one, but was missing one thing, acquisition of another big man. That changed once the Nets signed Tyler Zeller

The Nets had themselves a great offseason in 2017. Acquiring a number of new players including the new face of the franchise D’Angelo Russell. Even with all these moves, we saw the Nets still lacking downlow. While Timofey Mozgov isn’t terrible, he can’t be the only center on the roster who has NBA experience. That being because backup center, Jarrett Allen, has yet to even play a second in the NBA.

With all that considered the Nets needed to make one more move which would be the cherry on top of a otherwise great offseason. The Nets actually would make a move for a center. This move was also a very smart one as well. The Nets would sign center Tyler Zeller, former Boston Celtic, to a 2 year deal. Zeller also spent his first two seasons as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He was traded to Boston in a trade the Nets actually were involved with. That was the trade that brought Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasev to Brooklyn, and helped the Cavaliers clear the way to let LeBron James return home to Cleveland.

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Now, entering season number 6, Zeller gets another chance to play meaningful NBA minutes once again. Zeller averaged career lows last season, mainly because he only saw 10.3 minutes per game in 51 games. Regardless, Zeller, once a starter and big part of the Celtics, had to compete for minutes with Al Horford and Kelly Olynyk last season.

In Brooklyn, Zeller will most likely be sharing the backup center role with rookie Jarrett Allen. Allen has a lot to learn and while he was noted as a steal for the Nets at pick number 22 in the draft, he will need a few seasons to develop. In the meantime, the Nets will most likely start Mozgov, but don’t be surprised if Zeller gets a few starts throughout the season.

During the 2014-15 NBA Season, Zeller showed he can be effective when given decent playing time. In 21.1 minutes, Zeller averaged 10.2 points per game. It also should be noted Zeller also appeared in all 82 games that season and started in 59 of those games for Boston.

Zeller has proven when given the opportunity he can play, but has had a career that has been a rollercoaster.

While at the University of North Carolina, Zeller finally came into his own as a junior and senior. Zeller averaged 15.8 and 16.3 points per game in his junior and senior years respectively. His time at UNC had him projected as a lottery pick on some analysts draft boards.

However, Zeller fell out of the lottery and was chosen at pick number 17 by the Dallas Mavericks. Zeller was traded to Cleveland on draft night and shortly after signed with the Cavaliers. Zeller played good basketball and would end the season as a member of the NBA’s rookie-second team.

Going into his second season however, there was a problem at hand. Zeller would have to undergo surgery to remove his appendix in early October and was ruled out indefinitely. Zeller would make a remarkably fast recovery however. So fast he was back in time to face his now current team, the Brooklyn Nets on opening night.

After only seeing just over 15 minutes per game, Zeller finished the season with worse stats than in his rookie season. In the offseason, the previously mentioned three team trade involving Zeller occurring and he spent the next three seasons as a member of the Celtics.

Now, up to speed with where Zeller is in his career, it’s not hard to see why Zeller’s career has been so up and down. Just as he begins to find a role and home in the league, he is subsequently moved or given a new role. It without has to be frustrating for Zeller, and that’s why it isn’t hard to see why he signed with Brooklyn.

Brooklyn has been praised for it’s new culture that is in place as many fans know. The team has created a family-like atmosphere and preaches comfort among players. General Manager Sean Marks has made players feel at home while preaching consistency. This of course makes sense for a player like Zeller.

Zeller also fits what the Nets seem to like, running players with some size to them. The shortest player on the Nets roster is Jeremy Lin, who measures in at 6’3. That’s speaks volumes about the way the team likes to play.

Zeller has shown while he has only attempted six three point shots in his career, he can run and use his size to his advantage. This will be big for Kenny Atkinson due to the fact his projected starting center, Mozgov, is a throwback center.

Zeller also can provide the team with some solid rebounding and help compliment players who crash the glass, such as Trevor Booker and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

At the end of the day this signing just makes so much sense for both sides. Zeller fits the Nets culture and a current team need in the frontcourt. Zeller is a quiet, hard working big man who knows his role within the team.

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With a players coach like Kenny Atkinson, Zeller has a chance to make a name and statement against opposing team’s bench units. Last year, big men like Al Jefferson and Enes Kanter came off the bench for their respective teams. Zeller has a chance to bolster the highest scoring bench in the league with his play at the center spot. If Zeller can make his mark as a reserve, he may be a member of the Nets for a long time.

With all that said, the signing of Zeller looks like a smart one by the Nets. The Nets are getting a center who is relatively young to add needed size and depth at the center spot. Zeller is landing in a new home and will look to prove he belongs in the NBA.

Zeller will be one of the many bench players coach Atkinson relies on this season. General Manager Marks loves finding players who fly under the radar. And Zeller may just be the