Brooklyn Nets: 5 Major storylines entering next season

Secondary options to alleviate pressure

The Brooklyn Nets have multiple candidates for a breakout campaign next season; this team has depth and they have strong secondary options to initiate the offense. Spencer Dinwiddie has emerged as one of the better bench players in the NBA, finishing 4th last year in Sixth Man of the Year Voting—and probably would’ve been a finalist had it not been for missed time.

Dinwiddie is adept at breaking the defense down with his dribble-drives, he’s proven to be a more than capable playmaker and was actually more efficient (0.99 points per possession) in pick and roll sets than D’Angelo Russell (0.89 points per possession) a season ago. With every passing season, his production has elevated, it’s not unreasonable to think that trend continues and he takes that next proverbial leap.

Then there’s Caris LeVert, who many think—myself included—can be a dark horse All-Star candidate and can cement himself as an emerging star this upcoming season. His breakout campaign might very well have come this past season, then he suffered a gruesome ankle injury that sidelined him for a significant period of time.

However, he got into a nice rhythm in the last couple of weeks of the regular season and that momentum was kept going into the playoffs. He can be a little reckless on his drives and with his decision making at times, but his scoring versatility is expanding, and so is his playmaking and defensive presence. He could very well be the second option Atkinson needs until Durant is back from injury.

As I stated, this team has depth; there are still other candidates that could step up this season. Kurucs showed promise in his rookie season, starting 46 games and averaging 8.5 points and 3.9 rebounds—while also sporting a true shooting percentage of 54.5 percent.

Jarrett Allen has made leaps and bounds throughout his first two seasons in the league, he’ll be heavily featured once more in pick and roll sets and has proven to be an above-average roll man and solid defensive anchor.

You know you’re getting efficiency, and surprisingly—at least to those who don’t watch the Nets—versatility with Joe Harris; and Taurean Prince will likely help in this regard with his ability to space the floor and put the ball on the deck.

Point is: the team has options offensively.