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Brooklyn Nets: Time to Look Ahead at Next Year or Make a Playoff Push?

By Collin Helwig

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 18: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets high fives teammates before a pre-season game against the Toronto Raptors on October 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 18: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets high fives teammates before a pre-season game against the Toronto Raptors on October 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On the other hand, Brooklyn must also recognize the different variables that come with this season opposed to the 2018-2019 campaign. As I mentioned, the Nets lack the proper cap which they used to sign Durant and Irving last year, which consequently eliminates the need for Brooklyn to really impress anyone with their winning spirit this time around.

Aside from this, everyone knows that with Durant sitting in Brooklyn’s back pocket, the team will likely content for a title next year, no matter how this season plays out. In a similar fashion to LeBron James, Durant will likely attract any complimentary pieces he and the Nets might need this offseason regardless of how the team finishes, as teams with immediate championship intentions always gather interest from top free agents and coaches.

Surrendering this season also offers a chance for those gutting it out each night for the Nets to potentially rest up and save themselves for next year’s run. Players instrumental to the Brooklyn’s success such as Irving, LeVert, and Jordan already saw themselves fall victim to the injury bug this year and miss significant time.

Irving especially draws further concern as he neglected to undergo surgery to fix his shoulder issue. If Irving were too damage his shoulder to a greater extent, it could severely damage the team’s championship aspirations for next year. Jeopardizing a top player’s long term health just to earn a last-ditch bid to the playoffs seems to me like the opening chapter to a novel titled “How to Ruin a Franchise.”

One major flaw the Brooklyn Nets must address. dark. Next

With so many moving parts coming into play, Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson will need a map, compass, and some serious foresight to figure out what direction they want to head in during this season’s later stages.