Brooklyn Nets 2018-19 Primer: Toronto Raptors make big changes

3 of 3

SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 26: DeMarreCarroll #9 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs on December 26, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2017-18 Vitals

59-23, first in Eastern Conference
Defeated Washington in first round, 4-2
Lost to Cleveland in conference semifinals, 4-0
111.7 PPG (4th), 103.9 OPPG (7th)
113.8 Offensive Rating (2nd), 105.9 Defensive Rating (5th)

Team Leaders (minimum 42 games/82 made 3-pointers)
Scoring: DeMar DeRozan 23.0 PPG
Rebounding: Jonas Valanciunas 8.6 RPG
Assists: Kyle Lowry 6.9 APG
Steals: Kyle Lowry 1.1 SPG
Blocks: Serge Ibaka 1.3 BPG
3-point shooting: Fred VanVleet 41.4 pct.

Honors

Dwane Casey (Coach of the Year)
DeMar DeRozan (All-NBA 2nd Team, All-Star Game)
Kyle Lowry (All-Star Game)

2018-19 Roster

Deng Adel, F
OG Anunoby, F
Chris Boucher, F
Lorenzo Brown, G
Kyle Collinsworth, G-F
Kay Felder, G
Danny Green, G-F
Serge Ibaka, F-C
Kawhi Leonard, F
Kyle Lowry, G
Jordan Loyd, G (two-way)
C.J. Miles, G-F
Greg Monroe, C-F
Eric Moreland, F-C
Norman Powell, G
Malachi Richardson, G
Pascal Siakam, F
Jonas Valanciunas, C
Fred VanVleet, G
Delon Wright, G

Offseason additions
Kawhi Leonard/Danny Green (trade, San Antonio, July 18), Chris Boucher (street free agent, July 20), Jordan Loyd (undrafted (2016) free agent, two-way, Aug. 3), Greg Monroe (free agent, Boston, Aug. 10), Kay Felder (free agent, Detroit, Aug. 20), Kyle Collinsworth (street free agent, Sept. 13), Deng Adel (undrafted free agent, Sept. 13), Eric Moreland (street free agent, Sept. 21).

Offseason departures
Malcolm Miller (free agent), Lucas Nogueira (free agent), Alfonzo McKinnie (waived, July 17), DeMar DeRozan/Jakob Poeltl (trade, San Antonio, July 18).

Also See

Projected depth chart

C: Jonas Valanciunas, Greg Monroe
PF: Serge Ibaka. Pascal Siakam
SF: Kawhi Leonard, OG Anunoby, Norman Powell
SG: Danny Green, C.J. Miles, Malachi Richardson
PG: Kyle Lowry, Delon Wright, Fred VanVleet, Lorenzo Brown

Outlook

Nick Nurse immediately sits on a seat that is, if not white-hot, at least a nice glowing red. Expectations will be through the roof after replacing the Coach of the Year and trading away the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Leadership off the floor could be an issue. Serge Ibaka isn’t known for being a fiery, vocal presence. Kawhi Leonard certainly isn’t going to win any Mr. Congenialty contests, although according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.com, he was saying all the right things on Media Day last week.

(No, I won’t take the obvious cheap shot about “the laugh.” It’s been done to death.)

One thing general manager Masai Ujiri and Nurse both played down was the silent offseason from point guard Kyle Lowry. Long-time running mate traded away? No comment. Coach fired? No comment.

Perhaps what should have been more concerning was calls and texts from Nurse? No reply. Calls and texts from Ujiri? No reply.

Lowry does have a reputation for running silent in the offseason, but it seemed just a bit off that the first time he spoke with Leonard — his new All-Star teammate — was Sept. 24 while they were preparing for Media Day.

So this season will be part head-coaching indoctrination, part redemption quest and part chemistry experiment, all done with the clock potentially ticking down on Leonard becoming a free agent in July.

Next. 10 best seasons in franchise history. dark

And all of that will be done while attempting to hold off the Boston Celtics and the hard-charging Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors will still be good, mind you. Just not that good.

Projected record: 55-27